Korean War

Korean War

This is an exercise in analytical thinking, interpretation, and writing. As you’re reading the chapters and preparing for the exam, jot down a topic or issue that interests or puzzles you. Feel free to look ahead to further chapters. You’re going to examine how our textbook interprets the issue compared to another outside article (sometimes the outside article will just expand on something in more detail, while other times it will provide a different interpretation or emphasis). You won’t be looking at random websites or generic encyclopedic entries (history.com or biography.com, etc.), but rather scholarly articles that make specific points. You can use the optional readings at the bottom of some of our History Hub chapters or tap into the following eight sites: Real Clear History, Origins (O), History News Network (HNN), Bunk (click on ‘View Source’ arrow), Conversation, Claremont Review of Books, Politico: History Department, and Made By History, and various podcast sites can be found in our History Hub Library as long as you choose a topic from modern American history, 1877-present. On most of these sites, you can use a Search Box if you’re looking for something specific. Another option is just to go into these sites and poke around without a particular topic in mind, then pick an article as long as it’s from 1877-present. Some of the articles in these sources are book reviews, which are fine. Don’t go outside these options unless it’s a very reputable history site. This site, for instance, does not suffice, nor does this. Any outside encyclopedia article won’t do the trick. Explain in a short 300 to 500-word essay why the topic is controversial, interesting, and/or relevant in your Initial Post (15 points). Why should a modern American care about the topic in order to be a better citizen? Why is there any debate over its interpretation? (To that end, you could think about what interests you or concerns you first, then look for a topic instead of just looking for a topic that interests you.) How does the outside author deal with primary sources (documentary evidence from the time period in question – not something created by an author for a reader) as opposed to secondary sources (what others have said or written about it since)? While you don’t want to waste time pointing out that the outside article or podcast goes into more detail than the text (which goes without saying in most cases), you should point out what interesting ideas the outside article adds to our knowledge. Make it clear what chapter/section your article compares to and what angle you’re taking on the topic. Reference the author and title of the outside article, and include a link to it.