Time Schedule:
Ileana M. Rodriguez Silva
HIST 388
Seattle Campus
Introduction to the discipline of history for new or prospective majors. Emphasizes the basic skills of reading, analysis, and communication (both verbal and written) that are central to the historian's craft. Each seminar discusses a different subject or problem.
Class description
The objective of the course is to introduce new history majors to the various approaches to the study of history. In so doing, students will learn about the processes of selecting, reading, and interrogating diverse types of primary sources (memoirs, oral histories, music, documentaries, TV shows, official reports, letters, and census data) to answer different research questions. Thematically, the course examines the case of Puerto Rico in order to analyze how various (and contradicting) social, political, economic, and cultural factors have contributed to sustain colonialism through the twentieth century, an entangled situation with no solution in the near future.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites. Knowledge of Spanish is not required.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments include short writing exercises and a poster project. Class participation is crucial.
