Abstract:
For incoming high school students, history education is commonly associated with limiting misconceptions that skew the potential of such courses. Students routinely perceive a history course as a collection of dull, dry facts and countless dates. If an instructor does not take the time to address these misconceptions, students enter their history courses without a fair appreciation for the value of a history course. This 24-minute film introduces students to the incredible potential of history education. By addressing topics such as historical perspectives, the connections between the past and the present, global interactions, history's relevancy to all career paths, and entertaining approaches to history, students obtain a well-rounded understanding for what a history course offers. Nine different history instructors, ranging from junior high to high school to collegiate professors, reinforce the advantages of taking a history course. This film is grounded in the realization that history is first and foremost a story about people. Upon establishing this foundation, students become more aware of their personal connection with history. Designed to serve as an orientation video for students new to a high school history setting, Foundations of a History Course showcases how the principles of history education have a direct impact on students' everyday lives. Addressing the foundations of a history course sparks students' interest and excitement for their upcoming class. This film has been uploaded to the Internet for easy access and mass distribution throughout the education realm. Foundations of a History Course can be viewed at "foundationsofhistory.org"
