Writing Stories/Making History: Telling Tales from the Early Modern Atlantic World

Catalog description

Story is embedded in the very word history. The historical approach known as “microhistory” explores the daily lives of ordinary people to analyze issues affecting whole societies. We will start the semester by reading model microhistories of the early modern Atlantic, helping students gain familiarity with themes of early Atlantic history, from slavery and freedom; to imperialism, settler colonialism, and revolution. Students then will apply their knowledge to creating original microhistories. Through a guided process, each student will develop a research project, share that project with the class, and then work with fellow students to draft and revise their microhistories.