Howard Zinn In US History, instead of only reading standardized textbooks to get basic information on time periods, we read from chapters of A Peoples History of the United States by Howard Zinn. We then discussed what we read in small socratic seminar groups and heard from our peers on their interpretations and opinions. This was very interesting because I learned many of the same stories about the United States that I already knew from growing up, but through a more liberal and socialist lens. This assignment fits into the pillar Recognizing perspectives because while still reading chapters from a uniform textbook, I was also able to recognize that neither of these sources are completely un biased. I was able to study different perspectives on many of the same issues and events and make my own opinions about them without feeling like I had to agree completely with what I was reading. This addresses my overarching question because some of the chapters I read focused intensely on Native American experience (something that many textbooks tend to brush over). These readings were a valuable resource for studying First Nations' rights and issues.
Cherokee Removal Reading In history, my class read a variety of primary sources on Cherokee removal. We read from President Andrew Jackson, perspectives from members of Congress who both opposed the Indian Removal Bill, and those who supported it along with statements from members of the Cherokee Nation. this was an interesting assignment because everyone in our group read a different perspective and then came together to discuss the impact of the Cherokee removal. This fits into the pillar Recognize Perspectives because we were studying the motives and perspectives of different people on the topic of Native American rights. This helps to answer my overarching question because it addresses historical injustices over land that Native people faced.