The moment many students begin to get excited about history is when they realize that much historical knowledge is contested, enmeshed in a productive argument that never ends and therefore endlessly fascinates. Such an epiphany might occur at any time. But a frequent catalyst is classroom debate, a formalized contest that dramatizes and vitalizes…

A literacy intervention aiming to scaffold university students' writing of argumentative essays in history was implemented in a first-year Global Histories course at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, where most students had English as an additional language. The intervention focused on argumentative writing because of the importance of this…

The personal essay--a paper in which a student brings in his or her own experience or concerns--is probably familiar to most historians. Teaching at the City University of New York, the author has found grading personal essays somewhat perplexing. They are sometimes written in response to an assignment that does not call for personal reflection.…

The transition from a functionally pragmatic interpretation of history to a humanistic existential one is explored by comparing the philosophy of the eminent intellectual historian, Carl Becker, with that of Jose Ortega y Gasset, who interprets history from a humanistic point of view. (Author/SM)

The discussion is intended to acquaint the reader with the newly established nations of the Americas---Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Barbados--and some of the ways in which they differ from the rest of Latin America. (SM)

Describes National History Day, a year-long program using history to teach students research, analysis, and communication skills, in which students from grades 6-12 research topics related to an annual theme. Focuses on the 1998 contest with the theme of "Migration in History: Peoples, Cultures, Ideas." (CMK)

Recent changes in the history syllabi stress the importance of developing an investigative/enquiry method of learning involving the framing of questions, subsequent research, and the presentation of findings. Scotland has made several attempts to assess not only the end result (the paper) but also the process itself and now uses an extended essay…

This essay discusses the shift during the 1930s of black voters form the party of Lincoln to that of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A select list of books and articles on blacks is also provided for secondary and college teachers who wish to treat this theme in the classroom. (Author/RM)

An effective essay assignment in an introductory college history course should: (1) acquaint the student with the problematical nature of historical evidence; (2) challenge the student to interpret evidence; (3) facilitate critical skill acquisition; and (4) encourage formulation of further questions. History course evaluations are presented.…

Addresses the migration of smallpox into the New World where it caused the extinction of entire indigenous civilizations and altered the survivors' cultures. Discusses the historical origins of smallpox and highlights the migration and consequences of smallpox in Central and South America. Includes an annotated bibliography, research description,…

Briefly discusses the use of student essays as a technique in the teaching of history. Outlines a student guide to writing reports and includes specific hints on writing essays. (JK)

Maintains that writing assignments in world history should include essays that are sequenced according to difficulty. Proposes a sequencing model for an introductory course in world history based on seven steps of difficulty. Provides examples of questions at each level in addition to a course outline. (JDH)

Provides historical information on the science of eugenics beginning in ancient Greece. Discusses the use of "racial hygiene" by the Nazis' Third Reich and its effect on eugenics. Addresses the pros and cons of eugenics and genetic engineering. Includes an annotated bibliography. (CMK)

This article contains suggestions which secondary history teachers can implement to teach students how to prepare and write a problem-centered research essay in United States history. By applying sound research methodologies to a historical question students develop critical thinking skills. (Author/RM)

Reviews the last major battle of World War II that occurred at Okinawa (Japan) in 1945. Explains why the Battle of Okinawa was the turning point in World War II. Includes two maps in the appendix and an annotated bibliography. (CMK)