Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Seminar in Historical Research (Online)

HIST 4990-30I

Course: HIST 4990-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: HSOC
CRN: 11198

Course Description

3 Credit(s)

An examination of the theory and practice of research and writing history, including formulation of hypotheses, research proposal development, resources, bibliography, and completing a project of original, scholarly research with an emphasis on the Americas or Eurasia that is subjected to the evaluation of other members of the class. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Prerequisite(s): Minimum of 12 credits of upper-division HIST courses

Registration Restriction(s): Senior standing required

Required Texts

Required
  • William Kelleher Storey, Writing History, A Guide for Students, 6th edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2020. ISBN 9780190078423 (eBook version through RedShelf) OR ISBN 9780190078416 (paperback). This textbook may be available also through the Inclusive Access program of the SUU Bookstore (see VitalSource Course Materials link on left).
Recommended

(These texts are not required but may be useful, especially if you may be planning graduate study in history.)

  • Jules R. Benjamin, A Student's Guide to History, Fourteenth edition. MacMillan Learning. ISBN 9781319109714 (eBook) or ISBN 9781319109707 (paperback).
  • Kate L. Turabian, Student's Guide to Writing College Papers, Fifth edition. University of Chicago Press, 2019. ISBN 9780226430430 (eBook) or ISBN 9780226430263 (paperback).
  • Kate L. Turabian et al, A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Ninth edition. University of Chicago Press, 2018. ISBN 9780226430607 (eBook) or ISBN 9780226430577 (paperback).
  • Jenny L. Presnell, The Information-Literate Historian, Fourth Edition. Oxford University Press, 2024. ISBN 9780197749869 (eBook).

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • 1. Demonstrate factual and critical knowledge about past historical events, institutions, movements, figures, and societies and have the ability to identify key events that express change over time in a particular place or region, identify how change occurs over time, and explain historical continuity and change.
  • 2. Demonstrate the ability to understand, describe, and critically assess historical theories, principles, and concepts and possess the ability to apply historical theories, principals, and concepts.
  • 3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
  • 4. Demonstrate the ability to apply historical methods and research protocols to formulate historical questions, obtain data from primary and secondary sources, critically assess primary and secondary sources, and follow scholarly conventions of the discipline.
  • 5. Demonstrate critical and analytical thinking and reasoning skills and demonstrate the ability to construct well-organized historical arguments that utilize historical data in support of a thesis.

[ELOs -- NOTE: HIST 4990 is NOT a GE course.]

Communication (2.0): Students develop and express ideas and will be able to do so in a variety of ways, namely in writing, by speaking, visually, kinesthetically, through design or aurally. In this course, students will create written responses, assignments, and essays, and also engage in online discussions.

Critical Thinking (4.0): Students demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In this course, students will examine historical issues, evidence, context, and content with the aim of developing a more comprehensive analysis or synthesis.

Knowledge of Human Cultures & the Physical & Natural World (11.0): Students demonstrate knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural worlds through study in the fine arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, life and physical sciences. In this course, students will derive evidence from primary sources regarding the complexities and changes in human experience, and they will enhance their knowledge of historical events, issues, and topics.

Course Requirements

Weekly Journal Entries

Starting in Week 1, you are expected to submit a weekly journal entry to Canvas that will typically focus on a prompt or question related to your progress in completing this course and your capstone paper. Your response should be insightful, detailed, and well written, preferably submitted in an essay format of at least 300 words. These journal exercises are designed to 1) encourage your active work and regular reflections about your capstone project and paper; 2) help you think more critically about your topic, research, and methodological issues; and 3) improve your writing and analytical skills. You will receive some helpful but not extensive feedback for your weekly journal entries, and these will be graded on a P/F (or Complete/Incomplete) basis. A simple rubric will be used to evaluate your work and to encourage high-quality responses. All assignments must be submitted to receive a grade of 100 (Complete). One or more missing assignments will lead to a grade of zero for this component of the course.

Class Discussions and Posts

During the semester, we will have a variety of discussions designed to create and foster a learning community. You will be expected to post thoughtful and engaging posts and responses. Some of the prompts will be specific to our textbook, Writing History, while others may ask for more personal responses that are tied to your own research and writing efforts. Each response should be submitted in Canvas by the weekly deadlines. Similar to the weekly journal entries, these will be graded on a P/F (or Complete/Incomplete) basis. All assignments must be submitted to receive a grade of 100 (Complete). One or more missing assignments will lead to a grade of zero for this component of the course.

Proposal and Outline Assignment

This course is designed to help students move logically and efficiently toward successful completion of a scholarly paper of at least eighteen (18) double-spaced pages of text. To encourage steady progress, students are expected to submit a written proposal of two to three (2-3) pages that explains the chosen topic with a tentative (if general) outline draft by the end of Week 5. Because your final paper is the culmination of your history degree, this proposal should demonstrate meaningful engagement with the discipline. This paper is due by the end of Week 5, and will be graded on a standard grade scale, with up to 100 possible points, using a rubric.

First or Rough Draft Assignment

By the end of Week 10, students will be expected to submit a first or rough draft of their capstone paper, complete with sample citations. This submission is not expected to be a perfect or polished paper, but it should demonstrate progress toward completion of the final paper. This draft will be graded on a P/F (Complete/Incomplete) basis with a grade of 100 for complete and a grade of 0 for incomplete.

Dissemination

As one of the two concluding assignments in History 4990 and in line with typical expectations for a capstone course experience, you are required to create, submit, and share either a PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Prezi presentation that summarizes and highlights your capstone project and paper. This final product should feature at least eight (8) slides of text and appropriate visuals that together explain your project's title, theme, resources, findings, and scholarly contributions to the field of history. You are also encouraged in this activity to offer a "reflection" statement of what you learned from this capstone course experience and your undergraduate work in the discipline of history. This dissemination assignment will be graded with the standard grade scale, with up to 100 points, using a rubric.

Final Paper

You are required to research and write a substantial paper on a historical topic that you choose, subject to your instructor's approval, oversight, and assistance. You will find appropriate primary and secondary resources and submit a high-quality written paper of at least eighteen (18) pages of double-spaced text that includes appropriate citations and a formal bibliography. This paper will be graded on standard grade scale, with up to 100 points, using a rubric.

Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

  • A 100 % to 93.0%
  • A- < 93.0 % to 90.0%
  • B+ < 90.0 % to 87.0%
  • B < 87.0 % to 83.0%
  • B- < 83.0 % to 80.0%
  • C+ < 80.0 % to 77.0%
  • C < 77.0 % to 73.0%
  • C- < 73.0 % to 70.0%
  • D+ < 70.0 % to 67.0%
  • D < 67.0 % to 63.0%
  • D- < 63.0 % to 60.0%
  • F < 60.0 % to 0.0%
Assignment Weight/Percentage of Final Grade
  • Weekly Journal Entries -- 10% -- Each assignment graded on a P/F (or Complete/Incomplete) basis; all assignments musts be submitted to receive a grade of 100 (Complete). One or more missing assignments will lead to a grade of zero for this component of the course.
  • Weekly Class Discussions & Posts -- 10% -- Each assignment graded on a P/F (or Complete/Incomplete) basis; all assignments musts be submitted to receive a grade of 100 (Complete). One or more missing assignments will lead to a grade of zero for this component of the course.
  • Proposal & Outline (Week 5) -- 10% -- Graded on a 100-point scale, with a rubric
  • First or Rough Draft (Week 10) -- 10% -- Graded on a P/F (Complete/Incomplete) basis with a grade of 100 points for complete and a grade of 0 for incomplete
  • Dissemination (Week 14) -- 10% -- Graded on a 100-point scale, with a rubric
  • Final Paper (Week 14) -- 50% -- Graded on a 100-point scale, with a rubric
  • Total -- 100%

Note: In adherence with department and university policies, students must earn a grade of C- or better in this course to receive graduation credit.

Course Outline

 Module 1: Course Introductions, Resources, & Getting Started

 Module 2: Basic Research

 Module 3: Taking Notes & Making Citations

 Module 4: Making Arguments & Research

 Module 5: Proposal and Outline

 Module 6: Research & Writing

 Module 7: Research & Writing

 Module 8: Research & Writing

 Module 9: Research & Writing

 Module 10: First Draft Due

 Module 11: Research, Writing, & Revisions

 Module 12: Research, Writing, & Revisions

 Module 13: Revisions

 Module 14 Final Paper & Dissemination Due

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Policy
All deadlines are explained within this course. All assignments submitted after their deadline will receive a permanent grade of zero or "incomplete."
Make-Up Work/Extra Credit
This course does not have any options for make-up work or extra credit.
Instructor's Response Time & Feedback
Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided in the specified amount of time, to find feedback look at this tutorial How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor.
It is my goal to:
  • Respond to student messages within __2__ business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within __2__ - __5___ days from the due date

Attendance Policy

This is an online course with regular weekly deadlines.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Use of Generative AI

Within this course, all submitted assignments should be written, developed, created, or inspired by you. If any work is created by artificial intelligence (AI) it will be considered plagiarized work and a violation of SUU Policy 6.33: Academic Integrity. This could result in a failing grade to disciplinary action through the Dean of Students’ Office. AI is an evolving technology and will impact our academic, professional, and personal lives. It is important that as part of your education, you learn to critically think, create, and evaluate products/assignments.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and BingAI, are not allowed to be used for your written and submitted assignments in this class. Although the use of these types of tools may be allowed in other classes or are used professionally, this class will focus on learning foundations without the aid of generative AI. Any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as cheating.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.