In so doing, you soon realize that Browne's argument draws often and heavily on a diary that Darwin compiled while aboard H.M.S. Beagle. The "Abbreviations" listing at the front of the endnotes states that there is a 1988 publication of this diary by Richard Darwin Keynes, which you track down at the British Museum. Since Keynes writes (xiii) that he, in turn, relied on a version of the Beagle diary prepared by his godmother, Nora Barlow, you decide to consult it as well. In the preface to her version, you read (ix) that the first typescript of Darwin's manuscript diary was actually made by her father, Horace Darwin--Charles and Emma Darwin's ninth child. The originals, both cursive and typescript, are housed in the Darwin Manuscript Collection, University Library, Cambridge. Perhaps, you say to yourself, a thesis topic awaits me in Cambridge.
It's a short trip from Liverpool Station to Cambridge, and once in the town, no difficulty locating the University Library. You've telephoned ahead, so the staff in the Manuscripts Room have Darwin's diary ready for your perusal (the "pencils only" rule is in force). But since Darwin's cursive scrawl is forbidding to most readers, the staff have thoughtfully provided you with a copy of the typescript prepared in 1890 under Horace Darwin's supervision. At the end of your second day in Cambridge, you decide to write your thesis on a facet of Darwin's experiences whilst on the Beagle.
However, you must return to the States in a few days. Although you could use Keynes' annotated edition of Darwin's diary, your thesis director is a bear about doing substantial spadework in original manuscripts. When you inquire about the cost of having photocopies or a microfilm made of Darwin's Beagle diary, a staff member informs you that a man named Damon Williams has placed an electronic version of the transcript on the internet for a professor at Michigan State University. You may consult it at the following Web site:
The research portion of this seminar actualizes the above story, with
several twists: we're in East Lansing; Browne is available at a local bookstore,
along with other required and some recommended books; and you are expected
to write a research paper on Darwin's Beagle diary, not a Master's thesis.
I. A research experience focused on the Beagle Darwin. Although the actual product is a seminar paper, the process parallels what is typically expected for a Master's thesis or doctoral dissertation. That is, you will (a) select a focused topic from the Beagle diary in tandem with (b) undertaking library research and writing a research prospectus. This prospectus should introduce the topic, review scholarly literature on the topic, present a scholarly problem on the topic that you hope to resolve, discuss primary and secondary sources you plan to consult in your research, and outline your intended theoretical perspective and methodological stance. After the instructor approves the prospectus, you will (c) research and write three drafts of a research paper–in this case, an historical narrative on your scholarly problem.
During the research experience, we will discuss productive study habits and develop a bibliographical system that you may employ later, such as when preparing for preliminary field and comprehensive examinations. Part of this process involves complementing your normal notetaking practice with exercise sheets designed to recapitulate bibliographical and methodological elements of textual material that you are expected to consult during class discussions, as well as when writing your research paper.
The research dimension of HST 803 is designed as a modified History Workshop. That is, texts relevant to Darwin's Beagle voyage–especially his diary, field notes, and correspondence–are the lodestones for every research topic and much of the class discussion. This format has the decided advantage that (despite diversity in topics) common and familiar texts will permit seminar discussion of every phase of the research process that every participant is experiencing. The History Workshop also means that everyone in the seminar at least understands the context of every topic; in short, the seminar constitutes an informed field for assessing individual projects. The workshop format permits us to distribute responsibilities for covering a humongous resource base and, in the process, gain some practice in undertaking collective research projects.
II. Re-thinking our notions of how professional historians work and what they write. Most of us assume that the approach we learned is the only one that passes muster in the historical domain. The reality is that professional historians differ considerably in their notions and practice of history. Some believe we should ideally be neutral, objective truth-seekers; others have long thought this ideal is neither possible nor desirable. Such variation at the core of the historical profession was recently heightened by post-modern critics who challenge the objectivity claimed by some historians as a distinguishing mark of professional practice.
In this seminar, we will examine a range of methodologies that lay claim to professional legitimacy. We will read and discuss several arguments bearing on the "objectivity question"--both pro and con--with particular attention to the history/fiction debate. Are there differences between what historians and creative writers do? If so, what are the distinguishing criteria for an historical product? My long-term objective is to encourage all seminar participants to clarify their own philosophies of history and the methodologies they use in doing history themselves.
III. The third dimension is what you bring to the course--as individuals
and as a group.
The research dimension: There will be some common reading in every book; how much more you are expected to read in each book depends on your eventual research topic.
HERSCHEL John Herschel, Preliminary Discourse on the Study of
Natural
Philosophy (1830; reprint, Chicago, 1987).
HUMBOLDT Alexander von Humboldt, Personal Narrative (Penguin, 1996).
MILTON John Milton, Paradise Lost and Regained (Signet, 1968).
PALEY William Paley, Natural Theology (1802; reprint, Charlottesville, 1986).
* * *
ALTICK Richard Altick. Victorian People and Ideas (Norton, 1973).
BROWNE Janet Browne, Charles Darwin. Voyaging (Princeton, 1995).
D & M Adrian Desmond and James Moore, Darwin: Life of a Tormented Evolutionist (Norton, 1995).
RUSE Michael Ruse, The Darwinian Revolution (Chicago, 1981).
The objectivist/post-modern debate: We will read some books in their entirety, others only a few to several chapters.
A,H&J Joyce Appleby, Lynn Hunt, and Margaret Jacob. Telling the Truth about History (New York, 1995).
HILLERMAN Tony Hillerman. The Dark Wind (Harper, 1982).
JENKINS Keith Jenkins, The Postmodern History Reader (Routledge, 1997).
NOVICK Peter Novick. That Noble Dream: The "Objectivity Question" and the American Historical Profession (Cambridge, Mass., 1988).
ROSENAU Pauline M. Rosenau. Post-Modernism & the Social Sciences (Princeton, 1992).
SCHAMA Simon Schama. Dead Certainties (New York, 1992).
Reference book for writing workshops:
HACKER Diana Hacker. Pocket Style Manual, 2nd ed. (St. Martin's,
1997).
All books available for purchase are on 2-hour, no-overnight reserve
in the Assigned Reading section of the Main Library, listed in the appropriate
notebook under Vinten-Johansen. In addition, I have placed on reserve
books that past students have regularly consulted when writing their research
papers. You are not limited to these books.
Assessment and Course Mark
1. Seminar preparation and
involvement, 50%
Everyone begins the semester with a participation mark of 4.0.
You will maintain it with regular attendance, full preparation, and informed
participation. Various exercise sheets are due most weeks, either
during or at the end of the class period. I will assign each sheet
a check or check-minus. A check-minus means that either you misunderstood
the assignment or it did not meet my expectations; you should redo anything
on which you received a check-minus. Since the major purpose of these
exercise sheets is to develop habits of mind necessary for effective class
participation, I will only review late submissions when I collect Processfolios
(see below). Reading exercise sheets are referred to by the following
abbreviations in the Schedule of Assignments:
Bib = Bibliography
SoA = Structure of Argument
TC = Thematic Clustering
TS = Thesis Statement
Maintain a Processfolio of all reading sheets and writing exercises/drafts completed during the semester. It should be organized to reflect the progress of your increasing mastery of course expectations. Also keep in your processfolio the research notes and log you prepare for your research paper and an updated writing log. Bring processfolios to every class meeting and to office hours when you come to see me.
2. Prospectus, writing exercises,
and three drafts of a research paper, 35%.
I will distribute expectations for the prospectus early in the semester.
The research paper should contain an introduction (problem statement, literature
review, and thesis statement), substantiation in the form of an historical
narrative, endnotes, and bibliography. Unless you make individual
arrangements with the instructor (in writing) to the contrary, the expected
length of your research paper is 20-25 pages, not including endnotes and
bibliography. Endnotes and bibliography should be prepared according
to guidelines presented in The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th ed.
A 4.0 will be awarded to final drafts of research papers that meet all of the following criteria: (1) an introduction that includes a viable historical problem, thorough review of the scholarly literature on your topic, the gaps your paper is designed to fill, and a clear, interpretative thesis statement; (2) an historical narrative that substantiates the thesis; and (3), endnotes and bibiliography prepared according to The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition.
Please make both electronic and paper copies for the instructor. We have notebooks containing research papers completed in HST 803 over time. They will be available to participants in subsequent seminars (just as theses and dissertations are available to other researchers).
3. Two drafts of a review
essay on the post-modern challenge to historical objectivity, 15%.
In addition to an assessment of the common reading on the subject,
your essay should conclude with a personal discussion of your view of appropriate
historical methodology at the beginning of the course, the methodology
you employed in completing your research paper, and your philosophy of
history at the end of this course.
At the end of the semester, hand in a Portfolio containing a sample
of each reading exercise, the final draft of your research prospectus,
a clean copy of the final draft of your research paper, your writing log,
your research log, and the final draft of your review essay on history
and post- modernism. I use an improvement factor when I figure
final marks; to do so, I need a well- organized Portfolio from you.
Peter Vinten-Johansen
332-3316 (H)
328 Morrill Hall
353-9417 (W)
e-mail address: vintenjo@pilot.msu.edu