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I recently had a student in World-Civ One ask me if all the information from the lectures and the readings fit together in some way. He was especially concerned that there was no emphasis on chronology. I tried to explain that I approach the course thematically. For example, I talk about women's history, the relationship of knowledge and power, the social and political functions of religious faith, human nature (what, if anything, is it?), and the play of culture and the law. I have found that it makes sense to me to approach the first forty-five centuries of human history around a few themes. However, from the students' perspective the first few weeks can be very confusing. I try to emphasize that history is a process. A second problem stems directly from the student's immediate concerns: How do we as historians reconcile the dissonance between the New History and the Old? I am very interested in women's history, and the old political chronologies seem more confusing than helpful. Any suggestions? Mike Halliburton, University of Memphis MHALLIBURTON@MSUVX1.MEMPHIS.EDU
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