I just got assigned a section of Composition for the fall, and I'm going to use Zinn's, A People's History, as the textbook (in addition to a writing handbook). It would be great fun to present the idea that history is not static--the exercise would hone student's critical thinking skills as well as present a unique opportunity to learn how to dig for research. The Zinn book would be the catalyst for discussion of this concept, but I need to come up with topics for students to independently research. What are some common historical "facts" your average 18-year-old takes as the gospel? You know, like Abraham Lincoln was in it for the slaves, or there has never been a female Pope. Help me.
In return for your services, I will entertain you. First, the poison (a taste: "Dress Beautifully. You’ve heard the old adage 'If you look good, you feel good.' It’s true. I try to dress up in skirts and special jewelry everyday. I wear fancy aprons when I cook. Not only is it fun to dress up; it helps to elevate your mood. I call it the 'Donna Reed Syndrome.' You feel you can get more done while wearing skirts and pearls!"). Then, the antidote.
Bon appetit.
Columbus discovered America leaps to mind.
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite (and one you might enjoy) is the steadfast refusal to believe that the Bible has been "edited" over time to reflect the then contemporary ideologies or a certain ruler's own whims.
Let me think on this. There are more. There are a lotta dumb high school kids out there.
The North Won the Civil War.
ReplyDeleteJust about anything about Aaron Burr.
And, for the rest of the week, I will be contemplating Ladies Against Feminism vs the Cameltoe.
Wha? Are you mad?!?! Have you even read the Bible? God, you're so dumb sometimes. Edited Bible. Pshaw.
ReplyDeleteBill, I prefer to see it as less of a versus and more of an evolutionary process, sort of a before and after, if you will. And I gotta tell you, the term "moose knuckle" is not only new to me (thanks, Wikipedia!) but makes me giggle each time I think about it.
ReplyDelete:) Lost boy. :)
Moose knuckle? Actually, cameltoe was new to me too. I'd HEARD of a cameltoe, but, well, I thought it was a kind of shoe.
ReplyDeleteHow did I get into my 40s not knowing about moose knuckles or cameltoes?
I wrote a wonderful long list and internet world screwed with me. Jist: The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. Do you believe it as fact or fiction and is your belief based on research or media hype? Do the research- does your belief and ideas change? Or are you too stubborn and impressionable to consider the alternatives?
ReplyDeleteAlso Roswell and the first man on the moon. Who was it? Was it really an American or was it Russia? You are going to have a very interesting class!
Probably the same way I got into my 30s without knowing the North DIDN'T win the Civil War, Bill!?!? So who won it (as much as one can win any war)?
ReplyDeleteChel, I love the Roswell and man on the moon ideas. I will throw the religion one out there, too, so students have a selection, but my experience is that many students are unwilling or unable to question religion. It's scary to shake your own foundation. That's what college is about though, no? Challenging and adding to what you know and growing as a person.
Don't ping my cheese with your bandwidth.
ReplyDeleteWell, good point about "as much as anyone can win any war," but in regards to the Civil War, if you want to get all technical and fussy, the United States of America won the Civil War against the separatist Confederacy. Sounds like a subtle and perhaps irrelevant point, but it casts the conflict in more appropriate political terms, rather than getting caught up in regional identity politics. Sure, regionalism is important, but so are a whole lot of other things — federalism, etc. The "North" vs. "South" dichotomy turns out to be really handy in contemporary politics, perhaps even moreso than in was in the 1850-60s.
ReplyDeleteOf course there's also another notion I've heard bandied about: The South won the Civil War—they got to stay. But you didn't hear me say that.
Phew! Back to contemplating cameltoes. (Did I just admit that publicly?)