Time and Location
T 1:55-2:45; R 1:55-3:50
Flint 119
Office hours
T 12-1:30 (Curta); W 10-12 (Walton)
Description
What is history? Why do we study it? What skills do professional historians need to do there work? In this course, we will attempt to provide answers to those and other related questions, in a manner designed to introduce new History majors to the professional study of the discipline and to facilitate the development of skills in the practice of problem-centered history. The course is organized around the theme of “love and marriage in the Middle Ages,” which will be covered in lectures, readings, and discussions. At the same time, the goal of this course is to enable you to master a set of skills that are essential to what historians do: identifying and evaluating source materials; critical reading of primary and secondary sources; formulating research questions; documenting and writing papers. In short, this course is designed to provide both knowledge and skills that will serve you in your academic career at the University of Florida and in your professional career after graduation.
Required texts
- Conor McCarthy (ed.), Love, Sex, and Marriage in the Middle Ages. A Sourcebook (London: Routledge 2004); ISBN: 0-415-30746-5; on two-hour reserve in Library West [hereafter McCarthy]
- Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History. 10th edition (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, Macmillan Learning, 2021); ISBN: 97813192444415 [hereafter Rampolla]
Assignments and grading policies
There is no attendance policy, but you are responsible for attending all lectures and reading the required texts. Class participation and preparation constitutes 35 percent of your final grade. Participation refers not only to regular attendance (despite the absence of a specific attendance policy), but also to your contribution to class discussions, to short-response papers, and a variety of other assignments over the course of the semester (e.g., exercises). Be aware that thorough preparation for, and active participation in weekly discussions is crucial for success in this course. Plan in advance at least two blocks of time (minimally 5 hours a week outside of class) when you can do the required reading and weekly writing assignments.
The Midterm and the Final represent 40 percent of your final grade (each for 20 percent). They will cover everything from lectures and readings, in both multiple choice and essay format. The remaining 25 percent of your final grade will be based on the writing assignments for every week. They are all due on the day indicated in the course weekly schedule.
The following scale will be used in determining your final grade
| Points | Grades |
| 97-100 | A |
| 93-96 | A- |
| 88-92 | B+ |
| 81-87 | B |
| 75-80 | B- |
| 68-74 | C+ |
| 61-67 | C |
| 55-60 | C- |
| 48-54 | D+ |
| 41-47 | D |
| 35-40 | D- |
| under 35 | E |