History Assignments
Welcome
Welcome to a showcase of my work as an instructional designer and U.S. History subject matter expert. Each assignment presented here, from conception to final product, exemplifies my commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive historical pedagogy. These examples highlight my approach to creating engaging, thought-provoking content that addresses complex historical issues while ensuring diverse perspectives are represented. Explore these assignments to see how I integrate critical thinking, historical analysis, and ethical reasoning into my courses.
Course Introduction
The Danger of a Single Story
This assignment invites you to critically engage with the complexities of historical narratives and the consequences of learning history through a singular perspective. Reflecting on the video, “The Danger of a Single Story,” you will explore how the conventional approach of teaching history as a set of names and dates oversimplifies and homogenizes historical events. The assignment highlights the importance of recognizing the diverse interpretations that historians bring to the study of history, emphasizing that history is not a monolithic account but a collection of varying perspectives and analyses. You will examine the evolution of historical scholarship, noting how shifts in demographics and ideologies have led to more nuanced understandings of past events. By analyzing examples of historical misrepresentations and current controversies in textbook content, you will consider the implications of a singular historical narrative on societal beliefs and interactions. The goal is to enhance your skills in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and understanding of historiography, while reflecting on your own responsibility in shaping and interpreting historical narratives.
The Progressives
Progress, Prejudice & Profiteering
This assignment examines how historical reforms, regulatory capture, and contemporary public health issues intersect. Using Freddie Gray’s lead poisoning as a case study, you will evaluate the effectiveness of Progressive Era reforms and determine if regulatory capture and conflicts of interest have compromised these reforms.
You’ll investigate the effects of regulatory failures on marginalized communities, such as lead contamination in Baltimore, and explore cases like the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s unethical practices and ExxonMobil's climate change cover-up. Analyzing historians like Hofstadter, Conn, and Kolko, you’ll assess how corporate interests influence regulatory policies.
Your task is to argue whether regulatory capture has undermined Progressive ideals, suggest strategies to restore effective regulation, and propose ethical measures to prevent future failures. Consider how to address conflicts of interest and protect public health through improved regulatory practices.
The Cold War
Fallout
This assignment investigates the ethical dilemma surrounding U.S. nuclear testing secrecy during the Cold War, examining whether financial gain or genuine security concerns influenced the government's decision not to warn the public about radiation dangers. Through analysis of images, a short film, and historical evidence, including the impact of over 2,000 global nuclear blasts and the health effects of fallout, you will explore how President Eisenhower’s 1961 warning about the military-industrial complex might have influenced these decisions. You will assess if the allure of profit and the interests of the defense industry overshadowed ethical responsibilities and consider how ideology, perception, and economic motives created a veil of secrecy that prevented the American people from being informed about the risks of nuclear tests.
Slavery
A Brief Moment in the Sun
Explore the multifaceted history and ongoing impact of slavery through a critical examination of various historical portrayals and modern implications. This assignment will guide you in analyzing contrasting depictions of slavery, from misleading textbook images to the harrowing “scourged back” photograph, and the persistent distortion of historical narratives. Reflect on how these interpretations shape our understanding of contemporary issues such as racism and modern slavery. You will develop your analytical, communication, and ethical reasoning skills by engaging with course materials, participating in discussions, and considering your own responsibilities in light of new insights.
