Response to Zinn, Becker and Stearns

Throughout the readings that we read and discussed on Wednesday all I can think about is the question "Why Study History?" In Sye's blog she discusses her routine conversation of her major and people's arguements towards the study of history. More importantly their negative view of the study of history and its lack of importance. One thing we discussed in the beginning of this course is that exact question, and its answer revolved around our fascination with the subject. Well, the articles we read had the same question and emphasized the importance and more importantly gave us the meaning and value of history. Each author that we read had their own view on the study of history and its significance. Stearns states that history is an essential discourse that provides us with the ability to study, learn, and store information on how people and societies behave and change over time. Through the study of history one is able to function within society by becoming aware of the people and the world around them. Zinn agrees with Stearns and argues that the study of history is essential within a classroom. Zinn discusses how important it is to have students involved within history itself and have them become critical thinkers. Zinn's article was most appealing to me as an educator of history it gave me insight and ideas of how to teach history to my students and how to provide our students with opportunities to become historians. Becker argues the underlying issue with history which is that it is all based on interpretation and each person, historian, culture, religion, and country will have their own view. All in all, I found that Becker's article was the most difficult to tackle and allowed readers to see history in a different light - the story of Mr. Everyman.