In my Texas History class, this week and the next two weeks are devoted to the question: “How revolutionary was the Texas Revolution?” Yesterday’s lesson was “Blacks from Africa to Texas.” We looked at the development of enslavement in Texas; how (unlike in the British Colonies) it was transplanted as a pre-existing, very established institution byContinue reading “The Rhetoric of Exclusion: Assumed vs. Stated”
Monthly Archives: September 2014
“6 Flags Over Texas”: History, Rhetoric, and Deleting the Past
Teaching Texas History this semester has been a blast. Teaching is always an excellent way to learn, and teaching something from a different framework/reference point is also a way to learn. One thing we have talked about a few times relates to: What does “6 Flags Over Texas” mean? Who and what does it includeContinue reading ““6 Flags Over Texas”: History, Rhetoric, and Deleting the Past”
Gilded Age and Progressive Era Immigration – Podcast Lecture Series #2
Once again I am posting a podcast. In this case, this podcast was made last February when we ran out of time one class because we were having such a good discussion about World War I! Now I’m using the podcast version as a regular part of the course. There is so much to discuss in any course thatContinue reading “Gilded Age and Progressive Era Immigration – Podcast Lecture Series #2”
“Nothing Happened Here”: History vs. history
On the first or second day of class each semester, I always do some version of my “What is History?” lesson with students. This lesson introduces major ideas and terms (such as agency, mores, etc) that I use all of the time. We also spend a great deal of time talking about various definitions ofContinue reading ““Nothing Happened Here”: History vs. history”
History, Currency, and Answering “How Much Would That Be Today?”
In History classes, we regularly talk about the cost of various items. The cost of voyages to the United States, the price of an enslaved person, the price of everyday necessities, or the price of war, for example. Converting money is difficult for a number of reasons. First, “money” is so extremely subjective and relative.Continue reading “History, Currency, and Answering “How Much Would That Be Today?””
The Holocaust – Podcast Lecture Series #1
Students love learning about the Holocaust because they hear bits and pieces of this tragedy for ever and ever but seldom hear any depth. I have prepared a two hour podcast that I have students listen to (there, sadly, isn’t enough time to do it face-to-face) that is mostly about the Holocaust but also includesContinue reading “The Holocaust – Podcast Lecture Series #1”
14 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me (Until now)
1. I have dyslexia. I’ve learned to control and overcome it. Spell check is (usually) a lifesaver. Still occasionally have some days of seeing things really weird. 2. I have been a patient at M.D. Anderson for almost my entire life. It’s a wonderful place. 3. I was homeschooled for high school. Self schooled, really.Continue reading “14 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me (Until now)”
Mourning: Homes vs. Consumerism
People do not give enough specific thought to the destruction following and accompanying consumerism. In Lake Jackson, HEB bought a huge section of land (reportedly the biggest piece of land they have ever bought). Land that was 102 separate pieces of property. The hundreds of people who lived in homes throughout this land were forcedContinue reading “Mourning: Homes vs. Consumerism”