Local History Syllabus Spring 2002

Dr. Costa
Office: Email: tmc5a@uvawise.edu
Office: Zehmer 219
Office Hours:
MWF: 11:00-12:30
TTH: 11:00-12:30 PM
M: 5:00-6:00 PM

Others by Appointment

    Required Books:
Altina Waller, Feud
Laurel Shackelford and Bill Weinberg, Our Appalachia
Carol Kammen, On Doing Local History

    Description:  History 392 is a study of the practice of local history, including its sources and methods; a survey of the history of south central Appalachia from colonial times to the present; topics in Appalachian history. This is primarily a methods class, in which you will learn the methods and practices of doing local history.

Final Exam: There will be a final exam, in which you will be asked to reflect on what you learned about local history, differences between history and heritage, practicing history and genealogy, negative and positive stereotypes, and the broad themes of the history of Appalachia.

    Practicing Local History: Each of you will be introduced to each of the following:

human historical resources (oral history)
Wyllie Library Special Collections
courthouse records
local newspapers and other records on microfilm

    For each of the above, you will write a three-four page summary of what you found, and present your findings in class. Should the numbers allow, we may divide up into groups to perform these assignments.

    Abstract: You will also write a 4-6 page summary and analysis of the article, "Connecting Appalachia," that I will handout.

    Projects: Each of you will develop a local history project, using one or more of the methods as applicable. For example, you might wish to examine local newspaper articles dealing with Clinch Valley College, and combine them with a couple of oral interviews with college-associated people to develop a project on some aspect of the history of the college. Or you may with to examine a run of early deed  and probate records and develop a project on personal and landed property in early Wise County. Or you may wish to conduct and transcribe a number of oral interviews and summarize your findings. If you are taking this at the 400 level you must produce a substantial research paper using as much primary material as you can find. For the 400-level project you must clear your topic with me before doing any substantial research.

    Grading:  Your grade will be based on 1000 points, breakdown as follows:

Final exam...........................................300 points
Summary and analysis paper................100 points
Practicing history assignments...............100 points ea. (x4)= 400 points
History Project....................................200 points

    NOTE: All written work must be turned in to receive a passing grade.

Grade Scale:
A+.....970-1000        B......830-869        C-.....700-729
A...... 930-969          B-.....800-829        D+.....670-699
A-..... 900-929          C+....770-799        D......630-669
B+.....870-899          C......730-769        D-.....600-629
F...…..00-599

    Attendance and Exclusion:  Note that attendance and participation, along with the quizzes, make up ten percent of the student's grade.  Students are expected to attend punctually and participate actively in classes.  Failure to attend and participate may result in the Vice Chancellor and Dean, upon the written recommendation of the instructor, excluding the student from the course with a grade of "W."  The Dean of the College upon recommendation of the instructor may also exclude a student who is making no progress in a course from the course (with a grade of “W”).  This procedure is not used after the last day for dropping a course.  Please communicate with the instructor if your progress is unsatisfactory.

    The Honor Code:  Students at UVAW govern themselves through an honor system that dates back to the nineteenth century.  While the system itself is primarily student-administered, this professor is a strong supporter of the code and will not tolerate violations in the form of lying, cheating, stealing, or plagiarism.  The constitution of the CVC Honor System is found in the student handbook, The Source.

     NOTE: 24 March is the last day a student may drop the course without receiving a failing grade.

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