Narrative in a United States survey course is hard to avoid. The question that the author has confronted in his classes is simple: do narratives still work in the surveys now that students understand their subjectivity, in many cases, as much as their teachers? Students, like most humans, tend to like stories. As the humanities at large and…

The centennial of the First World War has offered instructors across the humanities an exciting opportunity to enhance students' disciplinary expertise while reflecting on the significance of an event that continues to shape the world today. Drawing on established courses on the history and literature of the war, respectively, the authors designed…

In particular, the study of history--its scope, reliance on analytical narrative, and methodology of tracing change and continuity over time--provides for an exchange of meaningful narratives. As historians Martha Howell and Walter Prevenier argue, "All cultures, all peoples, tell stories about themselves, and it is these stories that help…

This article examines a hybrid graduate history course called "Teaching Hidden History." Team-taught in Summer 2015 across two universities, the course fundamentally tasked graduate students in history and history education with creating online learning modules based on the idea that hidden within any artifact is a larger historical…

Analyzes data on professional employment in the humanities generally and then specifically in the field of history and looks at female participation in these labor forces. (RM)

Asserts the view of history as a humanity. Argues that an effective way to organize instruction is to use a variety of books such as biographies, monographs, personal narratives, and novels. Contends that improving historical literacy will help improve overall literacy among college students. (CFR)

Compares the historical approach to research methodologies in other social sciences. The author concludes that history, as a discipline, is more of a humanity because it does not claim to understand why changes occur over time, but devotes itself to describing the past events which shape present and future. (AM)

Describes the changes which have occurred in the study of history in the past few decades. Notes the trend toward borrowing concepts and techniques from the social sciences and humanities. Traces the origins, growth, and present status of this trend. (JDH)

Describes nine ERIC documents, selected specifically for secondary and college-level history teachers, and provides ordering information. The documents cover such topics as teaching about the U.S. Constitution, Asian studies, writing strategies in advanced placement history courses, the Northwest Ordinance, and critical thinking. (GEA)

Traces the evolution of perspectives on Latin American underdevelopment to reveal the changing realities in Latin America as well as evolving world views. Covering the five centuries since Columbus discovered the West Indies, Topik concludes that the idea of underdevelopment is a European construct resulting from greater European progress and a…

Suggestions for successfully incorporating art masterpieces into a World History course are provided, plus references and descriptions of some famous art pieces and their relation to history. (JR)

Examines the function of maps in forming images of the world. States that maps are subjective, inaccurate portrayals of the earth in that they exhibit the biases of their makers and hence their cultures. Recommends viewing several maps or different projections to become aware of strengths and limitations of map types. Includes suggested teaching…

Using Gettysburg as an example, the author addresses the major components of a successful field trip, such as pre-teaching, memorizing, and the study of primary sources. Includes information on student participation and other factors of a successful field trip. (GEA)

Discusses the changing role of history of science courses at Cornell University. The course has served as a link between the humanities and sciences and as an integral part of area studies programs. Suggests that history of science courses in the social sciences and in the undergraduate history major's program are needed. (KC)

Discusses how periodization (the categorizing of history into identifiable periods) can be used effectively in world history courses to make the subject matter manageable and to avoid overwhelming the students with details. Presents a schema which interweaves technology, economic contacts, and cultural systems to help students handle the idea of…