History 215 - Mysterious Chesapeake Settlers

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Topics in History
Those Mysterious Chesapeake Settlers

Required Reading:    Deetz, James, In Small Things Forgotten, 1996, Anchor Books

Course Objectives:   This course will endeavor to explore the early history of the Chesapeake region via the primary sources housed in the Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture.  It will begin in the colonization period and move chronologically up to the 20th Century.  The intention is to analyze the character and content of different types of documents to discern what they reveal about life at various times in the region's history from an economic, religious, social, military, judicial and civic perspective.

Class attendance:   Attendance is expected and will be recorded.  No more than 2 absences will be excused and additional absences will result in a lower grade.  Students are expected to be attentive in class, take notes, participate in discussions, and silence cell phones.  Campus e-mail accounts should be checked regularly for class communiques as well as regular consultation of the course website for assignments.

Written papers and exams:   This is a project-based course and thus there will be few examinations. Rather, emphasis will be placed upon research, collection of data and analysis of it, and conclusions drawn from this information.  Solo and joint research assignments will result in brief presentations to the class which will be evaluated as well as written submission of this analysis.  A final research project will be due, both in written form (8-page minimum) and class presentation. Details will be explained and posted on the class website. Late papers will not be accepted.

Grading weighted:  20% =  Quizzes & class attendance
                                50% = In-class exercises, discussion, and weekly papers
                                30% = Final paper and presentation

Cheating & Plagiarism:  Each student is required to do their own work without the assistance of others.  Any student caught plagiarizing papers will jeopardize their chance for a passing grade for the assignment, or the course.

Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture (410) 543-3612
          Dr. Ray Thompson, Director     Heather Burnham, Receptionist
          Donna Messick, Admin. Assistant   Aaron Horner, Research Asst.
          Matt Hollis & Kentoya Downing-Garcia, Graduate Assistants
          Pat Taylor, Volunteer Coordinator

   Course Outline