Constructing the American Past: A Sourcebook of a People's History, Volume 2
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Author Description
Now published by Oxford University Press, Constructing the American Past: A Source Book of a People's History, Eighth Edition, presents an innovative combination of case studies and primary source documents that allow students to discover, analyze, and construct history from the actors' perspective.Beginning with Christopher Columbus and his interaction with the Spanish crown in 1492, and ending in the Reconstruction-era United States, Constructing the American Past provides eyewitness accounts of historical events, legal documents that helped shape the lives of citizens, and excerpts from diaries that show history through an intimate perspective. The authors expand upon past scholarship and include new material regarding gender, race, and immigration in order to provide a more complete picture of the past.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates how students can reconstruct historical narratives by engaging directly with primary source documents rather than relying solely on secondary interpretations. The editors, a team of experienced historians and educators, utilize a case-study methodology to challenge students to act as historians. By presenting conflicting viewpoints and raw evidence, the text argues that history is a constructed discipline requiring critical analysis of diverse perspectives.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Primary source documents including diaries, legal records, and eyewitness accounts
- Thematic case studies focusing on gender, race, and immigration
- Pedagogical framework designed for classroom analysis and debate
Scope Limits
- The volume is limited to the period starting from 1865
- It does not provide a comprehensive chronological narrative of all American political events
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Educators frequently utilize this text as a foundational tool for teaching historical methodology and critical thinking in undergraduate survey courses. Experts note that the inclusion of diverse, often marginalized voices provides a more nuanced understanding of the American experience than traditional textbooks.
Page Count:
384
Publication Date:
2017-10-25
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190280964
ISBN-13:
9780190280963
History
Primary Sources
United States
Education
Academic
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