HIST401 Syllabus
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Study Questions
  Topic 1
  Topic 2
  Topic 3
  Topic 4
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Essay Reviews
  Essay Review Instructions
  Assignment #1
  Assignment #2
  Example #1 by Student
  Example #2 by Student
  Example by Instructor

Instructor:
Dr. Stephen G. Brush
Distinguished University Professor of the History of Science
Department of History
  and
Institute for Physical Science & Technology
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742 USA

Stephen G. Brush Home Page

Last modified:
September 22, 2004
© Stephen G. Brush

HIST 401, Fall 2004 , p. 3

Religious Holidays
      Students who have a concern regarding religious observances should see the Instructor at the start of the semester.  Although the University attempts to accommodate the religious beliefs of all its members, it functions within a secular environment and is limited in the extent to which it can interrupt its normal operations.  The President of the University shall determine when it is appropriate for the campus community to restrict scheduling examinations or other significant assessments on the dates of religious observances.  For the Fall 2004 semester, the only restricted date that falls on a class day is Rosh Hoshanah (Sept. 16) .  Absences from class or examinations, or delay in submitting written assignments, due to religious observance on any other days will not be excused unless the Instructor has been notified by the end of the Schedule Adjustment Period and the student has provided a written justification from the Dean of his/her college, or the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.  (See also Schedule of Classes, Fall 2004 ).  If the due date for a written assignment falls on a holiday observed by your religion but not recognized by the University, you must submit it on or before that day.

Too many final exams on the same day?
      According to University policy, students who have more than 3 final exams scheduled on the same day may request to have the "extra" exams on a different day or days.  In accordance with this policy, at the beginning of the semester all students should check their final exam schedules (see the table in the second edition of the Fall 2004 Schedule of Classes, or go to http://www.testudo.umd.edu/soc/examfall.html).  If you have more than 3 exams on one day and want to request to take the final exam in this course on a day earlier than the one scheduled, you must notify the instructor before the schedule adjustment deadline (Sept. 13 , and you must submit a copy of your official course registration for this semester so the "too many exams" situation can be verified.  All students who notify the instructor will then meet together and decide which day and time they want to take the final exam, and the instructor will arrange a room for this purpose.  Note that only one alternate final exam can be given, and it must be before the scheduled date, since course grades must be submitted within 48 hours of the scheduled date.

Essay Reviews (due in class November 4 and December 2 )
      Two essay reviews are required.  An essay review is defined, for the purpose of this course, as an essay, about 1500 to 2500 words long, about a specific topic chosen from a list provided by the instructor, based on (a) two of the books listed under that topic, (b) background knowledge in the history of science from the required readings and lectures.  For the second essay review you must also use (c) at least one primary source cited by each of the two books.  The list of topics for the first essay review will be limited to the history of science before 1700, although some books may cover a longer period.  For the second essay review you may select a topic from either the first list or from a second list which includes more recent topics.  Detailed instructions, the two lists of topics and books, and examples of essay reviews will be posted on the course website; hard copies can be provided on request for students who have difficulty using the website.
      Since many students may be unfamiliar with this kind of assignment, note that the first essay review should be considered as a "practice" assignment which is not weighted heavily in the final course grade, but you will get a critique from the instructor so you can do better on the second assignment.  (Similarly, the midterm exam gives you a chance to find out what kinds of answers are considered acceptable in this course, so you can do better on the final exam.)
      You should write your paper as if it would be read by a student with the same level of knowledge in history of science that you have, and in fact you are encouraged to ask other students to read your draft, to point out mistakes and phrases that are not clear and to comment on general coherence and organization.  However, you should carefully avoid using any phrases or sentences suggested by someone else, or found in a published source (including the Internet), which would constitute "unauthorized assistance" (see below under Honor Pledge).
      Do not send the paper to the instructor by e-mail.

For free assistance visit The Writing Center in TLF 0125 (open M-Th 9-4, F 9-2; call 301-405-3785 for appointment.  You are also urged to consult the instructor if you have questions.

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