LEARNING MODULES FOR UNITED STATES HISTORY
History is not the same as “the past.” History tells a particular story about the past. This implies there are always other possible stories to tell, even using the same evidence. So: history is an argument about the past. The past never changes. In contrast, history changes all the time because we might find new evidence or interpret old evidence in new ways, ask different questions, use different methodologies, or discredit former interpretations.
Historians use evidence to construct a story or interpretation about the past. Often, that evidence is incomplete, partial, or conflicting. A careful historian asks critical questions about his or her evidence and acknowledges the potential strengths and weaknesses of those sources for constructing plausible stories about the past. Historians make knowledge rather than consume it. Trained historians, therefore, learn to approach historical evidence with certain distinct ingrained habits, including skepticism and resisting the first answer that comes to mind. Part of the discipline of history is learning to think like a historian.
With college-level history courses, this may be unfamiliar. It might differ from our prior understanding of what learning history is. This online module is designed to help us grasp the main concepts of historical thinking and apply them for success in this course. Although ungraded, the exercises and resources in this module should help us improve in the introductory course outcomes.
History is not the same as “the past.” History tells a particular story about the past. This implies there are always other possible stories to tell, even using the same evidence. So: history is an argument about the past. The past never changes. In contrast, history changes all the time because we might find new evidence or interpret old evidence in new ways, ask different questions, use different methodologies, or discredit former interpretations.
Historians use evidence to construct a story or interpretation about the past. Often, that evidence is incomplete, partial, or conflicting. A careful historian asks critical questions about his or her evidence and acknowledges the potential strengths and weaknesses of those sources for constructing plausible stories about the past. Historians make knowledge rather than consume it. Trained historians, therefore, learn to approach historical evidence with certain distinct ingrained habits, including skepticism and resisting the first answer that comes to mind. Part of the discipline of history is learning to think like a historian.
With college-level history courses, this may be unfamiliar. It might differ from our prior understanding of what learning history is. This online module is designed to help us grasp the main concepts of historical thinking and apply them for success in this course. Although ungraded, the exercises and resources in this module should help us improve in the introductory course outcomes.
CURRENT CLASSES
Here are links to other assignments through my classroom.
Below I have put together a list of helpful links that will help guide you through the online process.
First online course? This video can help get you started:
First online course? This video can help get you started:
Reading quickly is critical in a college setting. This video has some helpful hints on how to do that.