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HIS 4104 - HISTORICAL EPISTEMOLOGY CRN 81180 |
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HIS 4104 - HISTORICAL EPISTEMOLOGY CRN 81180 |
READING:
HISTORY IN
CRISIS Pages 62-75 AFTER THE FACT, "View from the
Bottom Rail" Pages
148-177 AFTER THE FACT, "Visible and
Invisible Worlds of Salem" Pages 22-46 AFTER THE FACT, "Declaring
Independence" Pages 47-69
WRITING ASSIGNMENT:
1. Many textbooks and teachers perpetuate myths about US history. Make a list of those myths you know exist in the telling of US history. Do you believe there was a reason why these "stories" began? If so, why do you think they are perpetuated in the present-day writing of history?
2. From the reading "View from the Bottom Rail": what do you believe caused the reticence on the part of those interviewed? How can this be avoided in your interview? Is this a part of "History from the Bottom"? If so, why and what are the problems noted by the author of History in Crisis that are evident in this reading?
3. From the reading "Visible and Invisible Worlds of Salem": Describe the problems inherent in the study of community crises such as that in Salem. Are these evident in any community study -- be it of an event or of daily life? How do these problems arise as we look at our Estero project? Would you call this a "microhistory"? Why or why not?
4. From the reading "Declaring Independence": What types of sources were used to examine the Declaration of Independence and surrounding events? What problems exist for historians in examining official documents of today? In this case, is authorship certain? How would you try to overcome this and the other problems you identified?
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