Course Introduction and the Forces of History at Work
The most important unit in the course is the first one. It is a time for the students and I to talk and learn about each other. I introduce the "forces of history" concept which will be repeated throughout the course units. Central Question for the Unit: What are the forces of change in history?
Course Lecture PowerPoint Slides and Other Materials
Course Lecture Video Recordings
Music Video Overview of the History Course The music for this video is "Teacher, Teacher" by .38 Special. I think about these lyrics when preparing for class sessions and making the experience relevant for students.
Required Readings and Media
None assigned for the first class period. We use the articles for discussion identified in the previous section, Course Lecture PP Slides and Other Materials.
Unit Activities
These are activities that occur either during class meetings or outside of class.
Past History Forces Reflection (Word) Students reflect about the nine history forces they just learned and apply them to the past five years with the world, the U.S., and influence upon their personal decisions and experiences.
Supplemental Learning Materials (Not required for major exams)
History Professor Peter Stearns (1998), Why Study History? (PDF) This short essay by Dr. Peter Stearns, a well-respected historian, explains why the study of history is a practical tool for individuals as they navigate a complicated world.
History Professor William Jaynes (2017). "Fake History" is More Dangerous than "Fake News" (PDF) Any history teacher brings their interpretation to their articles, books, and lectures. It is important to determine if they also use their own bias when interpreting history as well.
Historical Voices: Global History and Culture podcast (Web Page) This podcast provides audio recordings of people from the past sharing speeches, reporting on significant events, and sharing their life stories. I add some additional commentary to place them in historical context.
Then and Now: Global History and Culture podcast (Web Page) This podcast connects today's news headlines with historical events that influenced them. I make connections between what happened "then" with what is happening "now".