Seminar: English Revolutions

Course Details

Course Number: 6003  Section Number: 170

Fall 2011

Location: O'Donohoe Hall

Classroom Number: 231

Days & Times:

Monday 5:30 - 8:20 pm

Course Attachments

Textbooks

Early Modern England 1485-1714: A Narrative Histor  ISBN: 0631213937

The English Reformation (Dickens)  ISBN: 0271028688

The English Reformation Revised  ISBN: 0521336317

The Causes of the English Civil War (Hughes)  ISBN: 0333684753

The Causes of the English Civil War (Russell)  ISBN: 019822141X

The Causes of the English Revolution, 1529-1642.  ISBN: 0415266734

The World Turned Upside Down  ISBN: 0140137327

The Revolution of 1688-89: Changing Perspectives  ISBN: 0521526140
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Sharon L. Arnoult   
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Course Objectives

This is a graduate-level seminar designed to explore, in depth, three distinct but related events in 16th and 17th century England: the English Reformation, the English Civil War, and the Glorious Revolution.


Course Expectations

Book reports and presentations (60%): All seminar members will hand in four papers directly related to the reading and discussion of the seminar. All papers must be typed and double-spaced. Each paper counts for 15% of the final grade. For two of the papers, they will compare and contrast 1) the theses of Dickens and Haigh on the Reformation and 2) the arguments of Russell, Stone, and Hughes on the causes of the civil war. The other two papers will be on the two books which seminar members will present to the seminar. For these books, the presenter must also locate and read at least two scholarly reviews of the book, and must address any major comments or critiques made by the reviewer in the analysis of the book. This analysis, which will be written and handed in, should clearly state the author’s thesis, and also consider what type(s) of sources the author used and how the author utilized those sources.

Class participation (10%): Seminar members are expected to actively participate in well-informed discussions of the material. To that end, during session in which books are presented, the other seminar members are required to have located and read at least one review of each book that is being presented, and to have read related articles, if such are handed out in class.

Research paper and presentation (20%): Seminar members will research, write, and present to the seminar a short paper, modeled on the type of paper presented at academic conferences. The paper should have at least 10 sources, of which at least 3 must be primary sources. The paper should be between 10-12 pages (double-spaced and excluding the bibliography, title page, endnotes, etc.), so that, when read aloud, it takes about 20 minutes to present. The paper must be written using the Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian’s A Manual for Writers, and must use endnotes, not footnotes. Seminar members may augment their presentations with PowerPoint, handouts, etc., as appropriate, but must hand in an annotated paper with bibliography. Presenters must be prepared to answer questions from their fellow seminar members following their presentation.

Pre/Post test (10%): On the first day of class, an exam will be given to measure student’s knowledge of the subject matter. The exam will be given again near the end of the class but before the paper presentations. The result of the second exam will be 10% of the final grade.


Grading Standards

Book reports and presentations (60%): All seminar members will hand in four papers directly related to the reading and discussion of the seminar. All papers must be typed and double-spaced. Each paper counts for 15% of the final grade. For two of the papers, they will compare and contrast 1) the theses of Dickens and Haigh on the Reformation and 2) the arguments of Russell, Stone, and Hughes on the causes of the civil war. The other two papers will be on the two books which seminar members will present to the seminar. For these books, the presenter must also locate and read at least two scholarly reviews of the book, and must address any major comments or critiques made by the reviewer in the analysis of the book. This analysis, which will be written and handed in, should clearly state the author’s thesis, and also consider what type(s) of sources the author used and how the author utilized those sources.

Class participation (10%): Seminar members are expected to actively participate in well-informed discussions of the material. To that end, during session in which books are presented, the other seminar members are required to have located and read at least one review of each book that is being presented, and to have read related articles, if such are handed out in class.

Research paper and presentation (20%): Seminar members will research, write, and present to the seminar a short paper, modeled on the type of paper presented at academic conferences. The paper should have at least 10 sources, of which at least 3 must be primary sources. The paper should be between 10-12 pages (double-spaced and excluding the bibliography, title page, endnotes, etc.), so that, when read aloud, it takes about 20 minutes to present. The paper must be written using the Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian’s A Manual for Writers, and must use endnotes, not footnotes. Seminar members may augment their presentations with PowerPoint, handouts, etc., as appropriate, but must hand in an annotated paper with bibliography. Presenters must be prepared to answer questions from their fellow seminar members following their presentation.

Pre/Post test (10%): On the first day of class, an exam will be given to measure student’s knowledge of the subject matter. The exam will be given again near the end of the class but before the paper presentations. The result of the second exam will be 10% of the final grade.


Submission Format Policy

As stated above.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Late papers will not be accepted.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Please see above under 'requirements."


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.