History Independent Study
Courses | Languages and Leadership | History Independent Study
Overview
Many students struggle in traditional history courses. They may find the textbooks too dry, or they simply aren't interested in the specific area of history being covered. These independent study courses are structured to provide students with the freedom to follow their interests while providing a consistent level of academic rigor.
Learning Objectives
For each independent study, students will be expected to complete the following assignments:
Contextual Videos: Students will watch 3 hours of documentary or primary source footage to provide an overview of their topics.
In-Depth Reading: With help from the instructor, students will select appropriate nonfiction readings totalling at least 300 pages. These might consist of books, newspapers, or academic articles.
Research Writing: Students will write 25 pages of research writing (6,000 words) explaining what they've learned about their topics. Students begin with a series of responses to the videos and readings (18 pages), and then capped by a final project of 1,500 words (6 pages).
Courses
Ancient History
(HIST 13.1)
In this course, students explore the ancient past. Selecting one or more civilizations, students will write about the histories, lives, and legacies of the distant past.
In studying ancient civilizations, one challenge comes in addressing the selective memory of the modern day. While some histories have been mythologized, others have been forgotten while still others are dismissed. This is especially problematic here in the United States, where the legacies of European Colonialism and Manifest Destiny have led to many histories that focus on Western Civilization to the exculsion of others. As we guide students in selecting their sources, we want to ensure that we're guiding students toward a deeper understanding of ancient peoples and recognition of the historical uncertainties rather than sources that may be built upon biased assumptions about an unkown past.
Possible Areas of Focus
Africa: Nubia, Mali, Zimbabwe
The Middle East and Northern Africa: Mesopotamians, Phoenicians, and Egyptians
Asia: Persia, the Indus Valley, and China
Europe: Minoans, Greeks, and Romans
North America: The Nations of Plains and Mountains
South and Central America: Mayans, Aztecs, and Incans
The Pacific: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia
The Middle Ages
(HIST 13.3)
In this independent study of the Middle Ages, students get an overview of European history from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the beginning of the Renaissance. From there, each student will select a key social or political aspect of the time period to research for a final project.
In studying European history, it's important to remember that Europe has long been a complex collection of cultures bound together by deep economic and cultural relationships. The rise and fall of Rome had long-standing impacts on the political systems of Europe and the growing Catholic Church significantly impacted European conceptions of knowledge and ethics, but pre-existing cultural norms left permanent impressions upon regional identities.
Possible Areas of Focus
The Black Death: Urbanization and Disease in an Age of Faith
Legacies of Rome: Political Systems in England, Germany, and France
Legacies of Rome: The Catholic Church in the Dark Ages
Eastern Europe: Slavic Kingdoms During the Dark Ages
Muslim Conquest in Europe: The Iberian Peninsula
The Crusades: European Conquest and the Holy Land
Knights of Europe: Chivalry, Feudalism, and Early Western Warfare
Military Technology: Armor, Arrows, and the Forts of Europe
Myths and Legends of the British Isles: Arthur, Camelot, and the Uncertainties of History