You will go to the University of Houston digital archive (Links to an external site.) to find a primary source of YOUR choosing. Search the Colonial time period section and choose a document between the years 1607-1754. Depending on your source and its nature, subject matter, etc., choose at least 6 of the analysis questions below to answer: 1. Look at the nature of your source. This is particularly important and powerful if you are dealing with an original source (i.e., an actual old letter, rather than a transcribed and published version of the same letter). What can you learn from the form of the source? (Was it written on fancy paper in elegant handwriting, or on scrap-paper, scribbled in pencil?) What does this tell you? 2. Think about the purpose of the source. What was the author’s message or argument? What was he/she trying to get across? Is the message explicit, or are there implicit messages as well? 3. How does the author try to get the message across? What methods does he/she use? 4. What do you know about the author? Race, sex, class, occupation, religion, age, region, political beliefs? Does any of this matter? How? 5. Who constituted the intended audience? Was this source meant for one person’s eyes, or for the public? How does that affect the source? 6. What can a careful reading of the text (even if it is an object) tell you? How does the language work? What are the important metaphors or symbols? What can the author’s choice of words tell you? What about the silences–what does the author choose NOT to talk about? 7. Is it prescriptive–telling you what people thought should happen–or descriptive–telling you what people thought did happen? 8. Does it describe ideology and/or behavior? 9. Does it tell you about the beliefs/actions of the elite, or of “ordinary” people? From whose perspective? 10. What historical questions can you answer using this source? What are the benefits of using this kind of source? 11. What questions can this source NOT help you answer? What are the limitations of this type of source? 12. If we have read other historians’ interpretations of this source or sources like this one, how does your analysis fit with theirs? In your opinion, does this source support or challenge their argument? Part 2: You will post your findings to the Discussion Board. Please be sure to include all of the relevant source information and the answers to your analysis questions above. Then be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates’ findings; they may have chosen the same source or a different one, so let them know what you think of their analysis. B…..Discussion: The Columbian Exchange ================================= Part 1: Read the essay on the Columbian Exchange. Then post to the following prompts: Provide 2 things that surprised you about the essay How can you connect the Columbian Exchange to today’s world? Part 2: Respond to at least 2 other classmates’ postings You should agree or disagree with their post, be sure to explain ‘why,’ and be polite 😉 Be sure to explain or tell me why (use evidence from the reading) in order to earn full points. C….. Phillis Wheatley ================= Read the attached article on Phillis Wheatley and her impact on George Washington. In your discussion post: 1. Express your thoughts on the poem by Wheatley. 2. “Why do you think Washington and his advisors wanted to publish Wheatley’s poem in Virginia, where he was universally esteemed, rather than in a state like Massachusetts, where his reputation was more equivocal?” 3. Consider the impact of the poem on Washington, do you think Wheatley had any impact on his future decisions regarding slaves/African Americans? If so, describe/if not, explain why. 4. Now predict what you think would have happened to Wheatley had she not died at the age of 30 in 1784. 5. This is a discussion post so choose another classmates’ posting and respond to their insights. D…..Cahokia – North America’s First City? ================================ https://www.iheart.com/podcast/stuff-you-missed-in-history-cl-21124503/ =========================================================== Once you’ve listened to the podcast, submit your thoughts in a 3-2-1 format: 3 new things you learned 2 things you want to know more about 1 opinion on whether your thoughts about ancient North America have now changed E……..Cultural Interactions video Consider the impact of the poem on Washington, do you think Wheatley had any impact on his future decisions regarding slaves/African Americans? If so, describe/if not, explain why.