Course Description
Course introduces undergraduate students to the theory and methods of Applied History. This course examines how different areas of policymaking – international relations, military strategy, domestic economic policy – can benefit from this approach. The course also introduces students to related subjects, such as counterfactual history and cognitive biases.
Athena Title
Intro to Applied History
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions through gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
- By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the theory and practice of applied history can shape responsible decisions and help leaders craft effective policies.
Topical Outline
- Course Introduction
- Part I: What Is History?
A. Historical Case Study: Hiroshima
B. Historical Case Study: The 9/11 Report
C. Historical Case Study: Iraq and WMDs
- Part II: History and Reasoning
A. Historical Analogy and Analogical Reasoning
B. Historical Context and Historical Generalization
C. History Lab: The Vietnam War Syndrome
C.
- Part III: The Applied History Model
A. Models and Methods
B. History Lab: The U.S. on the Eve of Civil War
C. History Lab: The U.S. and the Gulf War
- Part IV: Presumption and Bias
A. Historical Presumption and Cognitive Bias
B. History Lab: Ethnic Stereotypes and the Balkans Crisis
C. History Lab: American Exceptionalism and U.S. Public Opinion
- Part V: Issues and Placement
A. Issue Histories and Historical Placement
B. History Lab: The Confederate Flag in Contemporary America
C. History Lab: LBJ and "Placement" in the Vietnam War
