National History Standards: Genuine Concern or Political Ideology?
After reading a series of eight newspaper articles that discussed the controversy between academics, historians, and the general public, over National History Standards that came out in the 1990s, I used that information to write about why the debate is important to us as educators. The essay talks about the nature of the "culture wars", the politicization of history, and the impact these standards could potentially have on teachers throughout the country.
Celtic Archaeology: Prospectus, Abstract, Annotated Bibliography, and Research Plan
By studying Celtic archaeology – surviving burials, megaliths, and the abundant monuments spread throughout the British Isles and Western Europe – we can better understand the origins and culture of the ancient Celtic people. A culture that for centuries lived without a written language, the Celts left behind many stone structures and priceless artifacts that can potentially help us unearth the true identity of a mysterious race of ancient people. This essay discusses the importance of Celtic archaeology and lays out a hypothetical research plan.
Source Analysis: Documents Concerning the Creation of the Great Basin National Park
After reading several primary sources on the creation of the Great Basin National Park, I wrote an essay discussing the origins of the sources, how they function as primary sources, and different ways in which the information contained in the documents could be used.
Source Analysis: The Biography of Mohamma Baquaqua - A former slave in Latin America
After analyzing a primary source from a former African slave in Brazil, I wrote an essay discussing the knowledge that the source added to the study of slavery in Latin America. The importance of individual slave identity among the interconnectedness of slavery in general has been receiving more attention throughout the 21st century. Baquaqua's story helps historians understand on a deeper level the development of slave identity across the African Diaspora.
Historiography: Social History
I chose to write a historiographic essay on the sub-field of social history, in which I discuss what social history is, explain its development, what it tells us as historians about the past, and publications in the field that contribute to our understanding about social history.
No Child Left Behind: The Effects on Bilingual Education in Arizona
This essay discusses the effects of No Child Left Behind on bilingual education, particularly in Arizona with the Native Americans that make up a big percentage of the population. Education, while something that we all struggle with as a nation today, is a big issue for Native Americans living in the 21st century and the paper describes what is currently going on in Arizona. Multiple perspectives are provided as well as multiple solutions that were offered by various educators and politicians.
India: A Cultural Stalemate?
In this essay, I discuss the problematic relationship between feminism and nationalism in India. The Indian identity has in large part been based on India's treatment of women due to a Western way of thinking that is often imposed on the nation, and the struggle to break away from Western thinking is highlighted most in issues of gender and a rising sense of nationalism.