Mark R. Cheathem Caleb McDaniel, Dan Feller, H-SHEAR, Historical methods

Should Historians Utilize Online Sources?

On the H-SHEAR discussion network earlier this week, Dan Feller called out historians who cite non-standard sources. He gave three examples from two books and one journal article that focused on the Jacksonian era. The two books cite non-institutional websites as their source for several of Andrew Jackson's presidential messages instead of the standard sources: James … Continue reading Should Historians Utilize Online Sources?

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson Donelson, Historical methods, Writing advice

Responding to Criticism of Your Scholarship

I hate to be criticized. As an historian, it's not fun to be told that your interpretation of historical evidence is wrong or lacking. The immediate reaction that I have is a desire to dig through my research files and prove the critic wrong. Honestly, though, once I've taken a few moments (or days), I … Continue reading Responding to Criticism of Your Scholarship

Mark R. Cheathem Historical methods, Historiography

Teaching the Historical Methods Course

I'm currently teaching an historical methods seminar for several of our seniors, a course that will be repeated in the fall semester as we move it from senior year to sophomore year. I enjoy teaching the course because it allows me to help students understand how to practice history. I assigned the following books for the course: Conal Furay and … Continue reading Teaching the Historical Methods Course