Overview: Final Thoughts

Over the course of this class, you have been introduced to the study of history. You have learned why it matters as a subject, how historians practice their craft and share their knowledge, and how events are shaped by their larger historical context. By this learning block, you have learned the value of examining historical events for their impact on contemporary issues. We are closing this class by asking you, once again, why is history important?

In learning block 1-2, it was noted that history means different things to different people. In learning block 1-3, you considered why history matters. For years, those who study the past have put forth arguments on why they do what they do. Famous for his sixteenth-century work The Prince, Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli (1882) once stated, “Wise men say, and not without reason, that whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times” (p. 422). In this learning block, you will take what you have learned over the course of this term and consider whether or not Machiavelli’s words still ring true today.

Reference

Machiavelli, N. (1882). The historical, political, and diplomatic writings (Vols. 1–4) (C. Detmold, Trans.). Boston, MA: James R. Osgood and Company. Retrieved from https://archive.org/stream/diplomaticwritin02machuoft#page/422/mode/2up

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1. Revisit learning block 1-2 to consider your previous thoughts on the study of history and reflect on how your thinking on history has evolved. Finally, respond to the following question:

Now that you are coming to the end of this course, has your perception of history evolved since module one? Why or why not?

2. Niccolò Machiavelli once stated, “Wise men say, and not without reason, that whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times.” With this quote in mind and reflecting on your research this term consider this question:

Choose a contemporary issue and describe how your perception of that issue could have changed based on your research of your topic?

In response to peers, explain whether or not you share your peer’s perception of the selected contemporary issue. Why or why not?

For your response posts (2), you must do the following: 

•   Reply to at least two different classmates outside of your own initial post thread.
•   In Module One, complete the two response posts by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
•   In Modules Two through Eight, complete the two response posts by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of your local time zone.
•   Demonstrate more depth and thought than simply stating that “I agree” or “You are wrong.” Guidance is provided for you in each discussion prompt.