The Historian's Craft: Approaches to American History

An introduction to the craft of academic history, particularly useful for potential history majors and those interested in the practice of writing history. Students will immerse themselves in primary documents from three critical historical events: the Salem Witch Trials, the New York City Draft Riots, and the Little Rock school integration crisis. Using those primary documents as raw material, students will practice writing their own histories. We will stress interpretation of documents, the framing of historical questions, and construction of historical explanations.