Welcome and Introduction:
Historians and the problems of objectivity,
perspective, interest, and bias. The role of scope, selectivity and
simultaneity. (Note: we will meet today for the full class period.)
Course Issues and an Introduction to
Historiography.
Introduction to the challenges of objectivity,
perspective, interest, and bias. The role of scope, selectivity and
simultaneity.
Textbooks and the Global Context
of American History.
From Carl Guarneri, America in the World, read the "Note from
the Series Editors," (pp. xi-xii), the Preface (pp. xiii-xiv), and the
Introduction (pp. 1-22.) Complete this and all other assignments before class
on the indicated day (today, in this case).
Adopting a middle ground, Guarneri's book attempts to strike a balance between traditional "U.S. only" interpretations and a fully global history. What approaches does he suggest for doing this? What new insights do these approaches bring to the question of exceptionalism, in particular?
Please post a short biographical introduction to yourself on the Course Discussion Board.
Today will be picture day in class.
Encounters:
No formal meeting today.
You may use this period to interview your biography partner in preparation
for the assignment that will be due Monday. Please consult
the
biography assignment guidelines page
on the course website for requirements.
Read Guarneri, America, pp. 24-35. Class discussions and exams will be especially impressive if you show a careful and detailed understanding of the assigned readings. You are strongly advised to avoid the use of highlighters. Instead, you should take careful notes about who, what, when, where, why, along with an assessment of the relative importance of each episode and what the author's spin is. These shoult be recorded in your notebook as if you were listening to the author give the material as a lecture in class.
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Note: The instructor reserves the right to change any provisions, due dates, grading percentages, or any other items without prior notice. All assignments on this schedule are covered under the university's policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. See the syllabus statement for further details. This page was last updated on 9/10/2007.