On Timelines

[lhynard]

The reason I always hated history growing up was largely due to how it was taught. (Now, I love history, having taught much of it to myself, beginning in high school.) History was cut up and categorized. One learned about State History, then World History, then US History. And one was constantly told to memorize dates. Well, not all people can

Comments

[dogs_n_rodents]

I have always hated Greek and Roman mythology.

*Dies* You don't like Greek or Roman mythology?! Granted, I wasn't an addict of the subject matter like some of my Latin/Greek-inclined colleagues in high school and college, but I always found the topic fascinating. Personally, when I was still doing a large amount of translations work, I was interested in drawing parallels between Roman and Greek mythology and other religious traditions we see both in Eastern and Western cultures. Not to mention, I found doing translations of myths much more bearable (and fun) than that of political writings (which usually brought me to tears in terms of boredom).

Personally, I don't like how Troy didn't keep to Homer's original script, but I did like the character portrayal -- esp. with Brad Pitt playing a cocky Achilles.

I wish that history were not taught in such a fragmented mannerBut I think you've got a good suggestion here. I think that part of the fragmented nature of how history is taught to students relates to how "fragmented" the world

[izaaksmom]

My project in Latin 3 or 4 (I can't remember now) was to make a family tree of the Roman gods. I ended up having to use different colored thread representing relationships (ie child, marriage, rape, etc--yes I had a special color designated for god-rape) so that I could connect the different generations in a non-traditional manner (as there was some serious problematic familial relationships...) It ended up looking like a colored spider web. It was extremely time consuming, but ultimately one of the greatest teaching tools I've ever experienced (and yes, it was my own idea for the project). I might have a pic of it somewhere; I'll have to post it if I ever find it.

[dogs_n_rodents]

For my Latin 2 class project, we had to recreate the city of Rome on our classroom ceiling, making sure to have the shape of the hills correct and all other components (e.g., the Tiber River) present. Then each student was assigned an important building to create and write a 1 page paper on, explaining it's significance and function during the Roman Empire. After we presented on our building, we'd put it up on the ceiling to make a complete city-scape of Rome. It was extremely fun (esp for somebody like me who likes to make more artistic odds and ends) and very informative at the same time.

I'll also say that my Western Civ. I (Pre-Greek empire to the time of Charlemagne) professor usually kept my attention to by talking about the personal details about different historical figures, like how most of the Greeks were homosexuals, etc.. The amusement kept my attention.

[lhynard]

Those are the kinds of projects from which I would have really learned.

[lhynard]

Your latter comments are good points that I had not considered.

(Just transferring this comment; I hate having deleted posts show up if I can avoid it.)