Assignment 2
January 29, 2008
In reviewing the following history related websites, I will primarily take on the perspective of a high school history teacher, mostly because I am one, but also to give some direction to my critique of the websites below.
“The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War”
To me, there are few better ways to approach history for teenagers than to use primary sources. For every unit I teach, I provide students primary sources to personalize their experiences with the people they read about. Not only is it fascinating to see the presentation, font, and overall aesthetic used in historical documents, but depending on the type of primary source, it can be made relevant and actionable in everyday life. “The Valley of the Shadow: Two Communities in the American Civil War” is a wonderful resources for activities relating to primary documents, not only because they present both sides of the conflict, but because a variety of perspectives of both communities are shared. Another reason primary documents are so powerful is because it is impossible to argue with the authenticity of the document. They lay bare historical prejudices, knowledge deficits, and the overall attitudes of the time.
The clipping that describes Union soldiers as “the hyena-like Vandals of the North” provides a first-hand account (however singular) on a Southerner’s disposition towards them. Also, there are times when historical tales seem to fantastic to believe, but primary documents provide the evidence. The newspaper article that tells the story of 16 year-old Sophia Cryder who disguised herself and joined the Sumner Rifles company only to be later found out is one I would love to share with my largely female classes.
Whether the registry of free blacks, chruch records, or the letters and diaries, all neatly organized that give visitors the impression that they are virtually touring the site itself, provide a student of history important insights into the way things were for everyday people.
National Museum of American History
As the Museum is currently closed and its exhibits traveling or being housed in other Smithsonian venues, its website has become all the more relevant. The website is more or less a virtual tour of the museum itself, only better because of extra content. Furthermore, teachers or overly-zealous parents can find lesson plans, learning activities, and games that accompany different exhibits to enhance their instruction. The website is easily navigable and provides a good introduction to the use and skill of reading artifacts as equally valid tools for historical research as primary documents, a fact some students have yet to fully understand. With such a wide range of collections from domestic furnishings to the music of Celia Cruz, there are enough artifacts to catch nearly anyone’s attention.
DoHistory provides an excellent and well documented model of how to become a historical investigator. With the spawning of new CSI shows nearly every other week, there is no doubt that many people are eager to put on their detective caps. Unfortunately, since history capers are no longer pressing issues, they rarely are able to deliver the kind of excitement or interest other types of investigation. But with the right story and evidence, interest will follow. The story of Martha Ballard, and the book and movie that have been created from it, present thorough evidence for investigation. The best thing about DoHistory is that it actually trains visitors in the skill of historical analysis. In schools, history is seen as a content class with little to no skill value for students. English, math, and science teach kids how, social studies teach kids what. But as the importance of historical investigation becomes more important with mysterious or complicated historical events, the need and excitement around the skill will only increase.
In order to maintain its elevated status as the premier history site,
The History Channel keeps its finger steady on the pulse of pop culture, and develops programming to reflect recent trends, popular music, or events. One of their new series, “Gangland,” which looks at the “most violent and influential gangs of our modern times,” no doubt owes in part its popularity to Americans’ odd obsession with gangsters, most recently rekindled by the popular movie American Gangster. Another one of the Channel’s “most watched” shows entitled “Human Weapon” explores the histories of different martial arts fighting styles, appears to target the young male demographic with cultish interests in cage-fighting and martial arts movies. Many of the other featured items on the History Channel website seem to cater to tabloid-esque interests of ordinary viewers who more than likely find traditional history programming stale. “UFO Hunters,” “Cities of the Underworld,” and others like them, are featured prominently. These programs are part of the Channel’s attempts at creating a more widely consumed version of pop-edutainment.
Some history puritans may claim that the channel is diluting history and presenting information irrelevant to the more pressing issues of history. They are right. But the History Channel also makes history fun. Not only that, but it expands the definition of what comprises history. Furthermore, shows like “Gangland” or “Cities of the Underworld” may give voice to populations or events that may otherwise not be as well reported on or documented. The History Channel is meeting the needs of a population that are ever more interested in simplifying information and being entertained while receiving it. Not coincidentally, the very same trend is found in schools today, where students expect (and at times demand) to be entertained by their teachers. For better or worse, with the added features of video, games, and other interactive features, the History Channel is ideal for conveying history’s messages to today’s youth.
