Thinking History [Paperback]

Stearns also examines the relationship between the pragmatic practices in the classroom and the philosophical question of what history means. The essays in this pamphlet are designed to instruct and engage students who don't like historyas well as students who do-and teachers who need to teach both kinds.Peter Stearns explores two important dimensions of the pedagogic practice of history. Combining his two popular essays, The History of History and What History Can Beand Why Study History?Stearns considers anew the basic question: Why should history be studied?PrefaceThe History of History and What History Can BeHistory as FactHistory as Narrative StorytellingHistory as a Model of Human ExperienceHistory as a Moral and Strategic ExampleHistory as a Habit of MindHistory as an Exploration in ChangeWhy Study HistoryHistory Helps Us Understand Peoples and SocietiesHistory Explains How the Present Emerged from the PastHistory Contributes to UnderstandingHistory Teaches Skills for LivingHistory in the WorkplaceWhat Kind of History?Further ReadingPeter N. Stearns is provost and professor of history at George Mason University.