HIST419 UNDERGRADUATE HISTORICAL RESEARCH
| Course Code: | 2400419 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (1.00 - 4.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 5.0 |
| Department: | History |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Prof.Dr. NESİM ŞEKER |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
The primary objective of HIST 419 (Undergraduate Thesis) is to guide senior students through the process of conducting independent historical research and writing a well-structured academic thesis. The course emphasizes the development of research skills, critical thinking, and academic writing, aiming to prepare students for future academic work or professional careers by fostering discipline, time management, and scholarly rigor.
Course Content
This course is designed to be an exclusive research course designed to train senior year students for research and writing history. The instructors of different historical epochs will expect the submission of a graduation thesis upon the completion of the course.
Course Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Identify and develop a viable research question within the field of history.
Conduct independent research using a variety of primary and secondary sources.
Synthesize historical arguments and existing scholarship to create a coherent, well-supported thesis.
Demonstrate advanced proficiency in academic writing, including the use of proper citation styles and adherence to scholarly conventions.
Present and defend their research findings in both written and oral formats.
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | are familiar with general world historical periods and trends; demonstrate knowledge of key facts, ideas, societies, organizations, cultures, structures and processes related to a variety of historical contexts. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | are familiar with existing scholarly literature, historiography and historical methodology; and have developed the ability to approach them critically. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | are acquainted with interdisciplinary approaches. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | are able to generate research questions and conduct independent historical research by locating and analyzing primary and/or secondary sources; can construct viable arguments based on source interpretation. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | have developed sufficient English language skills; additionally, they have acquired the skill to read both printed texts and manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | are able to present research results both in oral and written form. | ✔ | |||
| 7 | are able to work individually or as part of a team. | ✔ | |||
| 8 | are equipped with academic ethics. | ✔ | |||
| 9 | are aware of modern day issues and current events; have the skills and knowledge to generate informed opinions. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution