HISTORY 593: STUDIES IN EUROPEAN DIPLOMATIC HISTORY

THE EASTERN QUESTION

OPTIONS AND GUIDLINES FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN THE SEMINAR

Each student will have two options for assignments and evaluation in the seminar

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The first option is:

• 1) Attendance and student participation.
• 2) Two five page book reviews. Each student will write one book review on each of the two books assigned for this course. They are called upon to analyze the authors' views as to the certain aspects of the Eastern Question to 1923.
• 3) Power specialty: Each student will specialize in three particular issues or problems of the Eastern Question from the point of view of one of the Powers (Ottoman Empire, Russia, France, Austria, Germany, etc). The student is expected to relate discussion topics to the experience and issues of their special problems. The student can choose to specialize on any of the problems listed in the course outline. A schedule of student specialities and reports will be formulated and circulated in the first three sessions of the seminar.
• 4) Three Oral and Written assignments: Each student is required to present three twenty-minute oral reports on the problems of their choice within the scope of the course and with the approval of the instructor. Each report will cover a particular problem of the Eastern Question from the point of view of one of the Powers (Ottoman Empire, Russia, France, Austria, Germany, etc). Each oral report will include a ten-page text together with and outline and bibliography. Copies of the text will be given to the other members of the seminar. EACH ORAL REPORT TEXT WILL BE DUE ON THE DAY OF THE PRESENTATION.
• 5) Course evaluation and grades. Evaluation of student performance will be based upon the following criteria:
  • a) attendence and student participation in discussion (20% of the course grade--100 Points). In particular the instructor will evaluate the students handling of general themes as well as the problems related to the specific problems look into each week.
  • b) the two book reports (20% of the course grade--100 points). Each book report will be worth 50 points and 10% of the course grade
  • b) the three oral reports (60% of course grade each--300 points). Each oral report with its written component will be worth 100 points or 20% of the course grade. Students who choose this option will have 60% of their course grade depend on their performance and preparation (text, outline and bibliography) for their three oral reports.

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The second option is:

• 1) Attendance and student participation.
• 2) Four five-page book reviews. The student will write one book review on each of the two books assigned for this course, as well as two other books of the student's choice within the perview of the course and with the approval of the instructor. They are called upon to analyze the authors' views as to the certain aspects of the Eastern Question to 1923.
• 3) Power specialty: Each student will specialize in three particular issues or problems of the Eastern Question from the point of view of one of the Powers (Ottoman Empire, Russia, France, Austria, Germany, etc). The student is expected to relate discussion topics to the experience and issues of their special problems. The student can choose to specialize on any of the problems listed in the course outline. A schedule of student specialities and reports will be formulated and circulated in the first three sessions of the seminar.
• 4) Two Oral and Written assignments: Each student is required to present three twenty-minute oral reports on the problems of their choice within the scope of the course and with the approval of the instructor. Each report will cover a particular problem of the Eastern Question from the point of view of one of the Powers (Ottoman Empire, Russia, France, Austria, Germany, etc). Each oral report will include a ten-page text together with and outline and bibliography. Copies of the text will be given to the other members of the seminar. EACH ORAL REPORT TEXT WILL BE DUE ON THE DAY OF THE PRESENTATION.
• 5) Course evaluation and grades. Evaluation of student performance will be based upon the following criteria:
  • a) attendence and student participation in discussion (20% of the course grade--100 Points). In particular the instructor will evaluate the students handling of general themes as well as the problems related to the specific problems look into each week.
  • b) the four book reports (40% of the course grade--200 points). Each book report will be worth 50 points and 10% of the course grade
  • b) the two oral reports (40% of course grade each--200 points). Each oral report with its written component will be worth 100 points or 20% of the course grade. Students who choose this option will have 40% of their course grade depend on their performance and preparation (text, outline and bibliography) for their three oral reports.

Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria for Book Reviews:

1. Coverage of Subject: Be sure that your review presents a brief synopsis of the book's content together with an exposition of what you believe are it main points or thesis. Avoid side issues or repetition. Make a significant effort to fully cover and reiterate the book's main issues in the conclusion. (10 points)

2. Analysis: The focus of the review's analysis should be maintained thoughout the essay. Points and/or subtopics should be clearly conceived, presented and discussed. Feel free to be critical or praiseworthy. Be sure to present your own view as well as the views of the book. (10 points)

3. Content: Your comments on the book ought to be accurate and clearly presented. You should use material from the book and from your accumulated knowledge to contribute evidence to the general arguments of yopur review. Do not make assertions in your review without backing them up with evidence from the book. (10 points)

4. Organization and Form: Your review should be composed in a clear and logical manner. Since your review is descriptive and analytical, your points should be presented in a logical sequence which enhances your general argument. Make certain that your review's commentary has an introductory statement, a body of evidence, and a conclusion. (10 points)

5. Writing and mechanics: The writing style of your review should be clear and concise. Your review should be written with a readership of educated lay people in mind. Be sure that each paragraph leads logically into the other and that all terms, events, people and other items are adequately defined. Make sure that you follow the fundamentals of paragraphing, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Be certain that you have maintained proper margins and form. Have your reaction paper carefully proofread for mechanics, organization, continuity, and transition. (10 points)

FIFTY POINTS TOTAL

Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria For The Outline, Text, and Presentation of Oral Reports:

1. Outline Organization and Form: Your outline should be composed in a clear and logical manner. If your report lends itself to a narrative form, events should be covered in a clear chronological outline. If your report is more analytical or descriptive, your points should be presented in a logical sequence which enhances your general argument. Make certain that your outline has an introductory statement, a body of evidence, and a conclusion. (30 points)

2. Coverage of Subject in the Outline and Text: The outline, text and presentation should directly address the issue or problem of the report. The focus of the report should be maintained throughout the outline and text. Points and/or subtopics of the outline should be clearly conceived, presented and discussed. Make a significant effort to fully cover and reiterate the question or topic of the report the conclusion. The information you present to subtantiate points and topics ought to be accurate and clearly presented. The facts and the interpretation of those facts that you offer in the report should contribute evidence to the general arguments you present. (30 points)

3. Mechanics of the Text and Presentation: The writing style of your text and the speaking style of your presentation should be clear and concise. It should be written and spoken as if addressed to a prospective audience of educated lay people. Be sure that each paragraph leads logically into the other and that all terms, events, people and other items are adequately defined. Include effective transtion statements to allow your report to flow well. Make sure that you follow the fundamentals of paragraphing, sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and punctuation in your text. Be certain that you have maintained proper margins and form. Have your written component of carefully proofread for mechanics, organization, continuity, and transition. (20 points)

4. Notes and Bibliography: While you will not be called upon to fully document your text, please include notation if you directly quote your sources or use information from one source only. Cite all notes at the end of the text or at the foot of each page. Include a bibliography of all relevant materials that you used in the preparation of your report. Each book source cited ought include author, title, place of publication, publisher, and year. Articles and essays cited ought to include author, title of article or essay, title of publication, volume and/or issue number, year, and page number in the forms presneted in the University of Chicago Manual of Style. (20 points)

ONE HUNDRED POINTS TOTAL