Time Schedule:
Jere L Bacharach
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
"NUMISMATICS: STUDY OF COINS, PAPER MONEY AND RELATED MATERIAL AS A HISTORICAL SOURCE"
Numismatics is defined as the systematic study of coins, paper money, and related material. One priority responsibility for numismatists is to identify what is on the coinage. The historian using numismatic evidence asks why were these specific elements – words, designs, signs, and symbols. – were chosen at that time and place. This leads to using the coinage as an historical source to ask what can be we learn about a specific society at a particular time or the policies or priorities of the individual who authorized the coinage at the moment it was issued.
Student learning goals
understand the significance of coinage and its importance throughout history
enhance analytical thinking, speaking, and writing skills
improve overall writing skills
learn to give and receive constructive criticism while sharing drafts of your term research paper
increase your awareness of the signs and symbols that surround our daily lifes by "reading" and not just "look at" them
General method of instruction
seminar setting with an emphasis on participation by students
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
The course will be composed of two parts:
*The first will be a series of weekly readings focusing on a variety of issues such as coinage as a source for reconstructing political history, identifying religious policies, and examining self-identity (For example, class members will be expected to research why certain images appear on U.S. quarters from different states).
*Each student will write a short paper on a topic related to numismatics (The student will be required to circulate a draft of the paper to others in the class and after receiving feedback, will have to rewrite the final version.).
*Class participation will count for 25% of the grade *Writing exercises will constitute approximately 75% of the grade
