The results of an experimental project in American history which introduced to students the methods of historical investigation in specific historical areas through small group research rather than through the college survey course are described in this report. Discussed are (1) the course organization, consisting of two semester units in which small groups examined primary and secondary source materials on the Salem witch trials and the Fourierist Phalanx at Ceresco, Wisconsin, in the 1840's; (2) the philosophy and methods of "doing" history; (3) the successes and drawbacks of teaching this new course in small groups; and (4) student participation in and evaluation of course work. Appendices, composing three-fourths of the document, include transcripts of a staff meeting; a class log of a field trip and a typical discussion; examples of several student papers; an evaluation-questionnaire for students; syllabi for the units of Salem witchcraft and the Wisconsin Phalanx; research assignments for the study of Salem; a chronology of Ceresco events; and a bibliography of published and microfilmed sources on Ceresco. [Not available in hard copy due to marginal legibility of original document.] (JB)