Overall Learning Outcomes

These are the learning outcomes defined for the course:

1. Define reasons why historians have developed a cross-cultural perspective to family history.
2. Identify specific aspects of how “family” is defined in different cultures and the impact of historical events on these conceptions.
3. Identify specific aspects of conceptions of “family” which are common to the various civilizations being studied.
4. Critically analyze the political, social, and economic structures of diverse civilizations as they pertain to the role of the family in these societies.
5. Analyze the historical impact of religious beliefs and organizations on the conceptions of family among diverse civilizations and how these conceptions were changed as a result of immigration to the United States.
6. Articulate, verbally and in writing, interpretations of the historical record using primary and secondary sources.

*These learning outcomes were added by me because they are invaluable skills and knowledge for success in historical thinking and in a wide variety of academic and professional fields.

1. Develop digital and quantitative reasoning skills (including the ethics of finding, using, and presenting data) that are applicable in history and other fields by working with data and digital materials.
2. Develop strategies for advancing your learning skills such as effective reading, writing, and file management.

Please Ask for Help

I understand that it can be daunting to reach out for clarification or to check-in on your progress. This is also key to success in this class and in many situations beyond. I am happy to meet or chat with you about your own learning and your thoughts on the topics and materials we cover and to answer questions big and small about the assignments.

If life gets overwhelming during the course (as it easily can these days), it can be tempting to drift away from a survey course like this. I’m no stranger to procrastination (cleaning and cooking are my go-to avoidance things to do), having classes go sideways on me, and scrambling to survive. I won’t judge you for this, or think less of you as a student and person.

You are welcome to share with me what’s going with you if you wish, but do keep in mind that I am not a mental health professional or healthcare expert. I can hold space and connect you with resources, but can’t give advice outside the scope of academics. You never need to disclose personal information with me to try to convince me that you and your circumstances are worth considering.

What We'll Do in This Class

The content of the course (the history stuff) will be shared with you in the form of weekly assigned materials. These will be a mix of readings, podcasts, and videos. You are responsible for engaging carefully and in depth with each week’s set of materials.

The work of the class will be smaller assignments and then a few projects. I will provide Assignment Specs with each assignment detailing what is required for each assignment and what criteria are used to assess the assignment.

Types of Assignments:

• Reading posts, post replies, and shared readings. The goal is to communicate what you’re learning and how you are contributing to the class learning community on a weekly basis. I know that some weeks will be more extensive than others, and that’s ok. I’m looking for considerable engagement over the semester.