Haverford History Department
Fall Semester,2002
History 361 is the introductory course to the history major. Unlike other history courses centering on a particular topic, area, or period, this course deals with techniques of investigation and research: it is the history "lab" course. History 361 consists of two research projects resulting in high quality original papers. The first research project deals with visual and material objects as historical evidence. The second involves the preparation of a scholarly edition of a manuscript from the Haverford or Bryn Mawr archival collections. There is no set length for these research papers. Nevertheless, our general expectation is that the first paper will be in the area of 10-12 pgs., while your second effort will be in the 15-20 pg. range.
The papers you produce in History 361 should be your best work at Haverford College to date. Former students routinely speak of their 361 projects as highlights of their undergraduate experience. Your papers will be considered for the Lippincott Prize and the Michael Freeman Research Prize, awarded by the History Department and Magill Library on an annual basis to recognize outstanding undergraduate research.
There are two options available for the first assignment of 361: you may bid for an object from the History Department’s collection, which will be displayed and distributed on the first night of class; or you may choose an item yourself at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Each option poses somewhat different challenges. If you select one of the History Department’s objects, you can take physical possession of the object for the duration of the assignment, or until you present your report. But in return for this temporary right of possession it will be your responsibility to identify the object, by utilizing the resources of Magill Library, regional museums of material culture, local artisans and artifact dealers, and the often misguided guesses of your friends. Although the chief goal of your research will be to explain the cultural and historical significance of your object (including how, why, when, where, and by whom it was produced, distributed, and consumed) you will not be able to proceed very far in that direction until you have identified what it is. The staff of Magill Library has prepared extensive guides to identifying and studying artifacts, and we will all try to steer you in the right direction.
You may also wish to select your own study object at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The PMA is among the largest and most important art museums in the United States, and affords an opportunity to study and write about a visual or material artifact (including ceramics, sculpture, painting, decorative objects, handicrafts, print culture, and photography) from a variety of periods and cultures, especially East and Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. Of course you will not be able to take possession of a study object from the PMA, and you will have to abide by Museum rules about photographing your object. In contrast to artifacts selected from the History Department's collection, PMA objects will all be labeled, identified, and at least cursorily placed in context. However, it will still be your responsibility to explain the cultural and historical significance of your object, including the relationships among producer, consumer, and (where appropriate) distributor--all of which will vary in the cases, say, of a Dutch portrait, a Japanese print, or a Persian carpet.
Whether your object is secular or sacred, from the sphere of high art, craft, or everyday technology, you must use it as a window into its time and place. We expect you to explore its social and cultural significance for the individual or group who produced it, purchased or otherwise made use of it, and for the society as a whole. In addition, should you choose a museum object you will have to address the issues raised by the collection and exhibition of art and artifacts. For example, how were the valuable cultural artifacts of one society transferred to the private collections and public museums of another, and what can we learn about both societies from that process of appropriation and exhibition? The first paper is due on Monday, Oct. 7 by 4 p.m. in Hall 101!
The second research exercise will result in the production of a critical edition
of a manuscript document or group of documents from the archival collections
of Haverford or Bryn Mawr Colleges. The documents will be on view one week prior
to your selection and we expect you to consult them in advance. The department
also encourages you to make use of your language skills when possible by selecting
documents in languages other than your first language.
We will meet on Tuesday, October 8th, at 7:00 pm in Special Collections (also
known as the Quaker Collection or Treasure Room) in Magill Library. At this
time, the History Department will provide a detailed explanation of the second
research project, which in the past has produced student papers of publishable
quality. The Library Staff will discuss the care and feeding of fragile manuscripts
and archival protocol. They will also introduce you to basic editing techniques
and help you find your way around manuscript collections and reference materials.
The Library Staff will be particularly useful in this latter connection because--IF
YOU CAN IMAGINE A SOURCE, IT PROBABLY EXISTS!
Note: Two copies of your papers should be deposited in the Secretary’s
Office, Hall 101, by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2002. The reader's copy
will be returned to you with comments, and the clean copy will be cataloged
in Special Collections. No paper with a grade below 3.0 will be submitted to
the Special Collections archives. The second paper is due on Monday December
9th, at 4 pm in Hall 101!
The following books have been placed on reserve in Magill Library and are available for purchase at the Haverford College Bookstore.
The following articles and/or book chapters are available on electronic reserve at Magill Library.
The class will meet occasionally as a group on Tuesday evenings; we will also break up into three sections--as indicated below--for the presentation of oral reports. Papers for all sections will be due at the same time, at 4 pm on the Monday of the first section meeting [with the exception of 5 below].