Rather than dictating the "facts and dates" approach to history through one authoritative master narrative or timeline, we will construct our own timeline each week during class. Be prepared to bring your own date and explain why it's important. Take a look at the timeline link that we'll be using below:
http://www.dipity.com/nzappia/personal
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Week 3: Foundations and Formations in the U.S. - Ideas and Goods
This week explores the concept of "conquest" and early globalization. During the 16th century, many Native societies of the Americas experienced various forms of conquest and colonialism. Conquests, though, were sometimes ambivalent and not so clear cut.
At the same time, the foundation of the U.S. is not only built on conquest, but the exchange of ideas and goods.
Points of entry:
The account of Cabeza de Vaca, an early Spanish explorer kidnapped and sold into slavery for 7 years provides a fascinating window into the more "ambiguous" conquests that occurred during this period. See the link below for this account:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/one/cabeza.htm
Questions for discussion:
Do you think the early interactions between Europeans and Native societies were conquests or more complex interactions? Why or why not?
What do you think are the more important foundations for what would become the U.S.--ideas or goods?
At the same time, the foundation of the U.S. is not only built on conquest, but the exchange of ideas and goods.
Points of entry:
The account of Cabeza de Vaca, an early Spanish explorer kidnapped and sold into slavery for 7 years provides a fascinating window into the more "ambiguous" conquests that occurred during this period. See the link below for this account:
http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/resources/archives/one/cabeza.htm
Questions for discussion:
Do you think the early interactions between Europeans and Native societies were conquests or more complex interactions? Why or why not?
What do you think are the more important foundations for what would become the U.S.--ideas or goods?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Week 2: The Birth of “America”: The New World Forged
This week we explore the long, shared history of the pre-contact Americas and Afro-Eurasia. As Taylor argues, changing the "lens" allows for a deeper, richer understanding of the interactions between Indigenous and Afro-Eurasian societies over thousands of years. Below are some different points of entry for you to explore these issues:
Pre-contact Meso-American societies shaped all of the Americas with the spread of the "three sisters" (corn, beans, squash), artistic sensibilities, and diverse products. See link for examples of these influences :
Archaeologists keep pushing the arrival date of humans to the Americas back to an earlier period. See link to map of Bering Straight, where the first human migrations originated:
The "Columbian Exchange" has been a controversial topic among historians. See link for a historian's perspective of the topic:
Image of the "exchange" in the colonial period:
On Monday we also discussed some of the larger themes of U.S. history that continue to shape our public discourse. Op-ed pieces are a great source for "taking the pulse" of American consciousness and the (mis)use of U.S. history. The anniversary of 9/11 provides ample examples:
Questions for blog discussion:
Should the exchange of ideas, people, and biota (animals, plants, diseases, etc.) be called the "Columbian Exchange?"
Should history before 1492 in the Americas be called "pre-historic?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)