HIST 301A(F) History, Theory, Practice

Our primary goal in this course is to come to some conclusions about the nature and practice of history in an era dominated by postmodern cynicism. We will begin by discussing the beliefs and writings of nineteenth-century historians, those titans of the past who believed that historical "truth" existed and could, with skill and practice, be discovered. Next we will explore the extent to which the twentieth century has given rise to a series of new methodological techniques that historians have employed in attempting to address the same kinds of questions that motivated their nineteenth-century predecessors. Finally, we will consider the work of more recent literary theorists and metahistorians who have refuted historians' claims to be able to capture the transcending realities of the past. In general, we will be less concerned with "the past" than with what historians do with "the past." Consequently, we will focus almost wholly on epistemological issues, surveying various issues in the philosophy of history during the last century. Evaluation will be based on a short position paper ("What is History?"), two 10-page interpretive essays, a take-home final exam, and participation in class discussion. Restricted to junior History majors.

Hour: WATERS