Homework Assignment #2: Why Study History?

In my experience, students very rarely sit down to think about why they are learning a particular subject or topic. With this thought in mind, we talked in class today about why history is a required course throughout your K-12 education. There are a number of different justifications for understanding the "beginning and development" of things, but what I am interested in is why YOU are studying history? What new understandings can you gain from interacting with the past?

Peter Stearns of the American Historical Society has written a very good article which describes a number of reasons why studying history is important, fun, and worthwhile. (The article and questions can also be downloaded here)

I would like you to read and reflect on this article, and consider just why you are studying history, and what you hope to gain from this class.

ASSIGNMENT: Please complete the following assignment on loose leaf paper and place it in your 3-Ring Binder.

1) Write 2-5 summary sentences for each of the bolded reasons that Stearns believes the study of history is important. For each of these summaries, also write a quick 2-5 sentence reaction (do you agree?, disagree?, did Stearns miss a point?, is there something that should be added?, etc…).

2) There are 8 bolded reasons to study history given. Please rank them from most important (1) to least important (8).

3) Write a coherent paragraph which explains why you think it is important to study history (hint: You can use Stearns’ reasons).

DUE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH