HIST 2809: The Historian’s Craft

Fall 2026

Instructor: Professor Laura Madokoro

Introduction: Historians ask unique and probing questions about both the past and present. They conduct original archival, oral history and other forms of research in an innovative fashion. Much of the historian’s craft involves bringing together different sources and literatures into conversation, making the discipline of history an inherently creative one. 

This course is about the historian’s craft as an imaginative and intellectual process.

It is an invitation to consider how historians do their work in an applied fashion. Combining a mix of multi-media workshops, readings, discussions, and applied activities, you will have the opportunity to do the work of a historian: to develop critical questions about the past and present, explore original primary sources, and to conduct research and analysis with particular communities and audiences in mind. This work will provide a solid foundation that you can use in other history courses while also fostering a broader engagement with audiences within, and beyond, the historical professional. The emphasis is on applied knowledge, robust exchanges, and learning as we go. 

Class Format: The class will meet in-person once a week in a 3-hour block format with time split between lectures, discussions, and applied methodologies. Where possible or necessary, field trips and / or virtual meetings will be organized. 

Assessment: As this class emphasizes engaged historical practice, assessment will be based on applied activities and assignments, including discussions and various written projects.  

Text: There are no texts to purchase for this course. Readings will be provided online, via Brightspace, or MacOdrum Course Reserves.