Are there any real historians in this section?

Question

Every time I come to this section, it seems like the questions are all from high school textbooks. So, I know a great deal of people needing help with homework come here but does anyone here have a degree in history or a fascination with it?

I am a 3rd year history major as well. I am doubling with communications though.

Answer 1

I suspect that I am older than most here and find it interesting (and a little sad) that so many obviously us this to do their home work.

For my self I don't have a history degree but have spent many years researching various segments of the past. My personal library is rather extensive and I am often in the local community library as well as the two different local higher education libraries.

My primary area of interest is the Constitution of the United States and its historical sources. (although a number of other areas are also of interest.

What I find most disappointing is the often shallow answers that are both offered and selected. While this is not the best venue for delving into subject (particularly when a dialog is required) there should at least be an attempt at a real answer as opposed to answering in the latest acceptable bumper-sticker.

I also give Constitutional History seminars at the drop of a hat and these are often at the college level.

Answer 2

This section is indeed clogged with middle and high schoolers taking the lazy way out on their homework assignments. Generally the questions are basic and could be discovered by flipping through a textbook or a quick google search. What ticks me off the most is when a one sentence question contains an obvious grammatical or spelling error that the poster could have fixed in a split second, but was too lazy to do so.
Anyway, I am a history major at University, 3rd year, still aways to go before I am a full fledged "historian" but I love the subject.

Answer 3

I am a disgruntled former high school social studies teacher. I love the kids, but couldn't tolerate parents and administrators. Our kids are being devalued in public schools today. If I can't be part of the answer, I refuse to be part of the problem. Now, I'm a 27 year old veteran of education. Believe me when I say I didn't escape without injury.

Anyway, I love history, social studies, science, etc. In today's communication culture, I have no problem helping high schoolers with homework. The old didactic pedagogy of teaching kids is obsolete. Oftentimes it is best to emulate those with more experience. This forum provides children with that opportunity; however, I agree that students should limit questions to the homework help section and use answers to supplement their studies. Yet they are merely being resourceful and going were the answers are.

I've found some very informative historians in here. One in particular, Speeddog, has been very insightful. Moreoften I find people with little formal education and lots of opinion.

For example, you've received an answer dismissing those who are attempting to expose the Eurocentric view of history. Because we finally taught that Columbus didn't discover America does not teach hatred for white men. Instead, it teaches that Native Americans are people as well. A very wise man told me that guilt can not exist unless it was already present.

In order to avoid evil, we need to be aware of our past mistakes. Traditionally, history was masterful at ignoring its mistakes. In today's progressive world, the victors are having a more difficult time writing their own story. I applaud the change. This change should not only be applied to "white" men, but all men. There's nothing more exciting than the potential in people; however, we cannot continue to tread the same waters. We must learn from our "true" history.

I would like to see a section focused on historical debate more than homework. Oh well, life's not fair.

Answer 4

I have a degree in History and have studied and written history my whole life. Yes, most of the questions here do seem like an effort to get someone else to do homework, but there are also some very good questions coming forth from time to time.

Answer 5

I love history, in particular military history, that's why I answer so many questions in here.

I have never understood why so many people don't like history.

Unfortunately with modern times and some of the newer schools of thought, history is being rewritten and taught to the children. The idea now seems to be that white Europeans were (and are) evil and that everything they ever did was to exploit everyone else.

Hopefully we can all help make sure that real history is taught to some of the kids on here asking questions.

EDIT

Who said anything about Columbus? I'm talking about the philosophy that pervades many the modern classroom that is determined to change what the past was by only focusing on negatives, and intentionally putting a negative slant on the motives and actions of Europeans in particular.

Answer 6

I do historical research as a hobby, but I've yet yet a formal degree. I'm working on a History Major, and have gotten more than 1/2 there in less than 2 years.

Answer 7

I may not be a professinal Historian but I do love history, i majored in Communication Disorders and minored in History so that I can be "highly qualified" in the area and teach it when I recieve my teacher certificate. Persnally my fav time is Tudor england with henry viii and elizabeth.

Answer 8

I have a bachelor's in History and an MA in Women's Studies with a focus in American women's history. I'm also an active member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval recreation group, where I mostly research jewelry and prayer beads.

Answer 9

I have a master's degree in History and am continually fascinated with it. I never tire of it. To me, it's like being the ultimate busybody -- all of recorded history to poke my nose into.

Answer 10

One of my majors was history, but that was by accident. I just took a lot of history courses 'cause I liked them; which answers your second question.