Mark R. Cheathem Conspiracy theories, Conspiracy thinking, Teaching

Conspiracy Theories and Fiction

I'm hoping some of my readers can help me out. I am teaching a course on conspiracy theories in United States history next spring, and I'm looking for suggestions for an assignment. I am going to require students to read a novel centered on a conspiracy theory. Examples include conspiracy theories involving end times theology, the New World … Continue reading Conspiracy Theories and Fiction

Mark R. Cheathem Teaching

What Do Professors Do All Week?

Last year, I wrote a two-part series describing what the life of a history professor involved for our department blog. Kansas State University English professor Philip Nel went even further, chronicling a week in his life. (Make sure you read each day's post.) I applaud him for making several important points, including these two: 1) … Continue reading What Do Professors Do All Week?

Mark R. Cheathem Teaching

The Upcoming Spring 2011 Semester

This semester, I am teaching two upper-division history courses. The first is the Old South course, which I have never taught. Given my research interests, however, I think I'll be well prepared to discuss the region from pre-1492 indigenous peoples through the Civil War. The second upper-division course that I'm teaching has evolved over the past couple … Continue reading The Upcoming Spring 2011 Semester

Mark R. Cheathem Andrew Jackson, Early Republic, Teaching

Books I’ve Used in My Jacksonian Course

I've taught the Jacksonian course three times: twice at my previous institution and once at Cumberland. I conceived of the course at my previous institution as an Early Republic course; the title, "Republicanism, Democracy, and Expansion, 1789-1845,"  emphasized the themes around which the content was organized. At Cumberland, the course is entitled "Jacksonian Democracy," but I organized it … Continue reading Books I’ve Used in My Jacksonian Course