Students enrolling in this course will be introduced, by doing, to the related but strikingly different skills of the archivist and the researcher.  Concentrating on a large and varied collection in the Dickinson College holdings, namely that connected with the life and work of nineteenth century Dickinson figure Charles Francis Himes, participants will receive instruction and practical experience in archival work.  Then, switching focus, they will further hone their skills as history students with the research, writing, and production of chapters in a topical
biography of Himes, to be published on the World Wide Web.  This will be a collective endeavor and will require the ability and patience to work as a team towards the goals that the course sets.

Prerequisite includes a successful participation in History 204 or permission of the instructor.

This course will be particularly suited both to history majors interested in careers in archives and related fields and
to those who enjoy the challenge of original research.  This course fulfills the 304/305 requirement for the major and is one full course credit.

There will be graded exercises during the instruction phase, but most of the evaluation in this course will be on the results of thought and work during the archiving phase and the contribution to the final product when published.  Since most of the materials involved must be worked upon inside the May Morris Room, there will be an evening laboratory along with the normal class-time.  Attendance at all class meetings will be mandatory.