ENGL 497-002: Writing History   Spring Semester, 2005  George Mason University
Wednesdays, 7:20-10:00   Robinson A123

All of the information below is subject to change.  Readings and assignments may be added or their schedules shifted.

WEEK 1 Wednesday, January 26
Introduction to course, course books, writing assignments, schedules, and so on and so on.
Discussion of Donadio and Gardner reviews; what is "popular history" anyway?  What isn't it?
Scheduling of discussion and workshop slots
Discussion of possible popular history topics

WEEK 2 Wednesday, February 2
Discussion of Gleick and Hillenbrand excerpts from course packet
 
WEEK 3 Wednesday, February 9 
Discussion of Jago and Philbrick excerpts from course packet

WEEK 4 Wednesday, February 16
Read: Longitude
In class: Group-led discussion of Longitude
DUE: Progress report #1 on popular history project

WEEK 5 Wednesday, February 23 
In-class: Informal presentation of popular history projects

WEEK 6 Wednesday, March 2 
Read: The Professor and the Madman
In class: Group report on The Professor and the Madman
DUE: Progress report #2 on popular history project (via e-mail before Friday night)

WEEK 7 Wednesday, March 9  
DUE: Place set piece (and 16 copies)
DUE (optional): Draft of character and/or Tenor of the Times set piece
In-class: Read-around and discussion

WEEK 8 Wednesday, March 16 
NO CLASS -- SPRING BREAK

WEEK 9   Wednesday, March 23
Read: The Devil in the White City
In class: Group report on The Devil in the White City
DUE: Progress report #3 on popular history project, including rought draft (via e-mail before Friday night)

WEEK 10 Wednesday, March 30
DUE: Character and Tenor of the times set pieces (and 16 copies of each)
In class: Readaround and discussion

WEEK 11 Wednesday, April 6 
Read: Last Train to Paradise
In class: Group report on Last Train to Paradise
DUE by group member s by e-mail by Friday, April 8: First draft of popular history project

WEEK 12 Wednesday, April 13
In class: workshop on first draft of popular history project
DUE: Writing Responses #1

WEEK 13 Wednesday, April 20
CONFERENCES
DUE to group members by e-mail by Friday, April 22: Second draft of popular history project

WEEK 14 Wednesday, April 27 
In class: Discussion of "Notes" assignment
In class: workshop on second draft of popular history project

WEEK 15 Wednesday, May 4
Last items, course evaluations
Read-around of popular history first pages

WEEK 16 FINALS WEEK
Wednesday, May 11 7:30 p.m.
DUE: Portfolio of all course writing