Modern Britain and the British Empire

Course Details

Course Number: 5153  Section Number: 201

Spring 2012

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 202

Days & Times:

TT 8 - 9:20 am

Course Attachments

Textbooks

A History of Modern Britain: 1714 to the present  ISBN: 9781405139366
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Sharon L. Arnoult   
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Course Objectives

The goal of this course is to provide you with an overview, at the graduate level, of the history of Great Britain and the British Empire from the union of England and Scotland in 1707 through the Second World War and decolonization.  In addition to historical events, consideration will be given to the historiography of the field, the proper form for a scholarly review, and a research paper.


Course Expectations

An historiographical review, a review of reviews, two book reviews, and a research paper.  Each review will count for 15% of your final grade, and the research paper will count 40%.


Grading Standards

Standard 100 point scale.


Final Exam5/10/2012  8 - 10 am

Submission Format Policy

Historiographical Review:  This will utilize vol. 5 “Historiography” of The Oxford History of the British Empire.  You are to read the overview introduction by Wm. Roger Louis, and two of the historiographical essays that deal with particular areas you are interested in.  You will then write a brief paper on what you have read.  Questions you should consider in this paper, both for the history of the British Empire generally and for the two areas you have selected are: who are some of the major historians in this field?  What are their main arguments? How has historical writing changed over time?  And in the answers to these questions, do you see any broad congruence between the field of the Empire generally and your two areas specifically?  15% of final grade.  Due: Tuesday, February 7, 2012.

Review of Reviews: Looking through past book reviews in scholarly journals such as American Historical Review, select 5 reviews of books that would fall within the compass of “modern Britain and the British Empire.” (Do not, however, pick a review for one of the books you want to review.) Then write a paper in which you, essentially, review the reviews. What, in your opinion, made these good reviews? What would you say defines these as “scholarly” reviews? Compare and contrast the styles, expertise, and effectiveness of these reviews. Please be sure to annotate which reviews you use. 15% of final grade.  Due: Tuesday, February 21, 2012.

Book Reviews: Using the format of the scholarly review, you will review books that you have selected from the British Empire list, or one that you and the instructor have agreed upon. Each review should be typed, double-spaced, and at least 3 pages long. In this review, you must consider the following things: what is the author’s thesis – that is, what is the main argument the author is making, or position the author is taking, in the book? How well does the author present the thesis, and does he or she effectively argue his/her position? Are there any sub-themes? Do these enhance or distract from the main thesis? What sources does the author use? How reliable do they seem to be? Does the author adequately address any problems in his or her sources? Does the author consider alternative explanations or arguments? Does the author convincingly refute these?  In other words, this is to be a critical book review – that doesn’t mean you’re necessarily critical of the book – you may well think it’s great!  But you are going to have to analyze what the author is doing and evaluate his/her work accordingly. 15% each (total 30%) of final grade. Due dates: Tuesday, March 6, and Tuesday, March 20.

 

Research Paper:

You will be expected to write a research paper, utilizing primary and secondary sources.  By Tuesday, March 27, a proposal for the paper must be submitted to the instructor, in the form of a question that will become the thesis of the paper, and this proposal must also have a tentative listing of sources.  The final paper will be expected to meet graduate standards in quality of research and analysis; at least 15 sources must be cited in the paper, of which at least 3 MUST be primary sources and NO MORE THAN 2 may be Internet sources (excluding primary sources accessed via the internet).   Class notes, an encyclopedia (including on-line ones), a book review, or a textbook MAY NOT be used as a source.  The paper must have a clear thesis or argument; it should be around 15 – 20 pages in length (including bibliography) and must be written using the Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian’s A Manual for Writers. This paper is due NO LATER than Tuesday, May 1, and will constitute 40% of the student’s final grade.



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.

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

Class Attendance: After the first week of class, a seating chart will be filled out and you must sit in your assigned seat. Attendance will be noted, and while attendance will not factor into your final grade, if you do not come to class, you will not have all the material needed to pass the exams.   Mark the exam dates on your calendars now!   Make-ups will ONLY be given to students who can present DOCUMENTATION of a major emergency which prevented them from taking the exam.  THERE ARE NO MAKE-UPS FOR THE FINAL!


Other Policies

Please note:  This class is a no-cell-phone zone!  Make sure all electronic devices except laptops are turned off and put away during class. No electronic devices at all permitted during exams.


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.