Journal Text Assignments for the History of South Africa
History 3820
Dr. Kenneth Wilburn
Department of History
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC, USA 27858
E-Mail Dr. Wilburn
Section A: Questions for Jules Benjamin's A Student's Guide to History
Section B: Aran MacKinnon's The Making of South Africa: Culture and Politics
Summarize and react to Benjamin's book in about 250 words in your course journal, then restate and respond to the questions that follow. Your response to each question should be no longer than several paragraphs.
- When historians investigate the past, they use evidence and test its reliability. Discuss the forms of evidence and methods of testing.
- Discuss the use of computer technology in historical research.
- What is a philosophy of history?
- Identify the major schools of historical interpretation.
- What can you do with the knowledge you will gain from this history course?
- How should you read our survey text?
- Describe the best way to take notes in class.
- How should you give a formal class talk?
- Our final exam is in essay format. What should you do to make an "A" on the final exam?
- What is plagiarism?
- Analyze "How to Write a Research Paper." Briefly discuss the structure of a research paper. How should you apply this information to your course journal summaries and reactions?
Summarize each chapter in two single-spaced typed pages. Craft your reading entries so that each has the following structure:
- "Title:" and "Date:"
- "Summary:" is comprised of a one-paragraph introduction, at least one paragraph per chapter sub-section (each chapter contains about 5 sub-sections), and a one-paragraph conclusion
- "Reaction:" (pull the Summary's past into your present in a paragraph or two)
Total length of your entry using Times New Roman #10 font should be two pages.
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First Online Edition: 9 January 2007
Last Revised: 9 January 2007