As I mentioned earlier this year, I decided to do something different with my U.S. survey course this semester. It's not the uncoverage model that I've written about before, but an experiment in trying to integrate historical methods and skills with historical content. I'm still not sure how well it is working out, but here … Continue reading My Attempt at a New Approach to the U.S. Survey Course
And the Winners Are . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itAOGRiYRLI Twitter: Ray Ortensie (@AFHistorian) Facebook: Sheridan Henson Ray, please send me a mailing address. Sheridan, I'll walk over your copy later today. Thanks to everyone for helping spread the word about the new book. Even if you didn't win a free copy, you can still purchase a signed copy of Andrew Jackson, Southerner at the … Continue reading And the Winners Are . . .
Books for Spring 2014 Courses
It's that time again. Here are the books I plan to use in the Spring 2014 semester. Modern U.S. The past couple of years, I've tried to focus the readings in the U.S. survey courses on a specific theme. This semester, it's American culture and society. Glenn Altschuler, All Shook Up: How Rock 'n' Roll … Continue reading Books for Spring 2014 Courses
Schedule a Talk about Andrew Jackson, Southerner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZz5VLZxD8k With Andrew Jackson, Southerner now available for sale, I am looking for speaking opportunities. A historical individual such as Jackson provides a number of different angles that I can take in a talk, so I've listed those topics (and others) that I feel comfortable speaking about below. You'll also find a list of my … Continue reading Schedule a Talk about Andrew Jackson, Southerner
Win a Signed Copy of Andrew Jackson, Southerner
I am offering two signed copies of Andrew Jackson, Southerner via Facebook and Twitter.* 1. To enter the Facebook contest, like the Jacksonian America page and share the post about this contest on your timeline. 2. To enter the Twitter contest, RT the tweet announcing this contest. Winners will be announced on Oct. 10. If … Continue reading Win a Signed Copy of Andrew Jackson, Southerner
Rearing Martin Van Buren
There's no polite way to say it: Someone has a tattoo of Martin Van Buren on what appears to be his/her buttocks. I don't know who, and I don't know why. But here it is, and you have Gretchen Adams to thank (or blame) for bringing this picture to my attention. I've crudely edited the … Continue reading Rearing Martin Van Buren
For What They’re Worth: Students Evaluations, Pt. 2
I wrote a post last month that contained more quantitative data about my student course evaluations than you would ever want to know and promised to follow up with another about the qualitative data. When I first started teaching at Mississippi State, instructors supervised each other's in-class course evals, completed with pencil and bubble sheets, … Continue reading For What They’re Worth: Students Evaluations, Pt. 2
The Evolution of a Book, Pt. 14: Developing a Marketing Plan
(Previous entries in this series: Pts. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13.) I'll just warn you ahead of time: Of all the things that I don't know about writing a book, this topic is what I know least about. Earlier in this series, I discussed the author's questionnaire, which deals in part with marketing. I dispensed these wise words: … Continue reading The Evolution of a Book, Pt. 14: Developing a Marketing Plan
Beloit Mindset List: Class of 2017
Updated: Not everyone loves the Beloit List. The new Beloit Mindset List is out. These lists always spark interesting debates and provide food for thought. For this generation of entering college students, born in 1995, Dean Martin, Mickey Mantle, and Jerry Garcia have always been dead. 1. Eminem and LL Cool J could show up … Continue reading Beloit Mindset List: Class of 2017
Summer 2013 Research
This was an unusual summer in Tennessee. I don't recall a cooler, wetter summer in my three decades of living here. It's certainly been more tolerable than last year's record heat. This summer's research agenda was different from the past few summers. Pushing a book through the final stages of publication always proves more challenging … Continue reading Summer 2013 Research
Jacksonian America: Society, Personality, and Politics 