What makes History the best subject?

All the smartest, best people teach History• (see current teacher for example)

Historical thinking is Life thinking• The skills you learn as an historian equip you to take on real

life challenges• Anytime you talk to or interact with someone, watch TV or a

movie, read a book, you have to make judgments and interpretations• This is what we do in history

Applicable Skills• Determining bias and perspective• Critical-thinking• Problem solving• Close reading• Comparison• Empathy• Finding evidence• Having an opinion• Questioning• Etc.

World History in Particular• The purpose of this course is to prepare you for future

historical study• You will learn the skills and techniques necessary to apply

historical thinking to all topics• While understanding the content is important, the focus is on

big ideas and skills

Historian’s Toolbox• Habits of Mind – a framework of specific types of

understanding that can help organize and clarify a vast array of information

• Vital Themes – a set of ‘big-picture’ ideas that are ever-present

• Your own brain – the most critical component. What does this seem like to me? Do I agree/disagree? Have I seen this before? How would I react? etc.

• Discussion and debate – hash it out. Everyone has their own idea and perspective, which can help you fine tune (or completely alter) your own notions