comma with apposition (course): the course, History of the Indies,...

[pyroknife]

In the following sentence:
'In the course, History of the Indies, we learned many things.'

This is just a hypothetical example. 'History of the Indies' is the name of the course (I made this up). Do you need to have commas on both sides of the name?

 

[natkretep]

Traditionally: no commas if the name is defining or restrictive, and commas if it isn't. That said, I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference for your example.

 

[pyroknife]

Traditionally: no commas if the name is defining or restrictive, and commas if it isn't. That said, I don't think it makes a whole lot of difference for your example.

Thanks. What do you mean by "defining or restrictive?"

 

[natkretep]

Something is defining or restrictive if the name specifies the course. The course History of the Indies as opposed to the course Geography of the Indies, etc. If it is non-defining or non-restrictive, the name merely provides additional information.

See Wikipedia on restrictiveness:

In semantics, a modifier is said to be restrictive (or defining) if it restricts the reference of its head.

 

[Parla]

I think the commas do make sense in your example.