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fandomhigh2006-01-09 11:49 am
professor-lyman.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2006-01-09 11:49 am
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US History (Monday, January 9, 7th period)
Josh put down his copy of the Washington Post when students began arriving.
"Welcome to US history. I'm Josh Lyman and up until a few weeks ago I was the deputy chief of staff for President Josiah Bartlet. You may all be suitably impressed now." He looked around the room. "Good."
"A few quick things. First of all, this won't be like most history classes you've had. Um, if you're from the United States and this part of the timeline, in any case. And can I say upfront that even having to modify my statement like that is still a bit on the weird side for my taste?
"Moving on. I'm not going to be teaching this class as a series of dates that you'll memorize for tests and then forget. Dates don't matter. Events matter. Broad themes matter." He raised his eyebrows. "There'll still be tests, though, but don't stress yourselves out trying to remember the exact date that the Northwest Territories opened to white settlement or the day Chief Joseph surrendered.
"I'm also not going to waste time explaining that the United States is the best country in the history of history, which was pretty much the overarching theme of my high school history classes. America has made some tremendous achievements and some huge strides towards freedom for all--but we're not there yet, and we've certainly had some colossal screw-ups. If you don't think so, I invite you to pay a visit to Pine Ridge reservation out in South Dakota, or to read the Dred Scot decision.
"History isn't static, and there isn't just one interpretation of any event. This class will be about discussing this fact." He looked around the room. "Which means if you don't open your mouth, you're not going to do very well. I'm not huge on paperwork, so most of your grade will be based on class participation."
He picked up a sign-up sheet from his desk. "Please be sure to sign in every class. If you're not here, you can't participate. If you can't participate, you can't pass. Also, you get detention, which I'm led to believe isn't your standard 'sit in a musty classroom with the health teacher' deal."
He smiled and pointed at the board, where he had scrawled a quote. Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. "George Santayana wasn't talking about summer school. After you've signed in, please introduce yourself to the class and tell us what you think he meant."
"Welcome to US history. I'm Josh Lyman and up until a few weeks ago I was the deputy chief of staff for President Josiah Bartlet. You may all be suitably impressed now." He looked around the room. "Good."
"A few quick things. First of all, this won't be like most history classes you've had. Um, if you're from the United States and this part of the timeline, in any case. And can I say upfront that even having to modify my statement like that is still a bit on the weird side for my taste?
"Moving on. I'm not going to be teaching this class as a series of dates that you'll memorize for tests and then forget. Dates don't matter. Events matter. Broad themes matter." He raised his eyebrows. "There'll still be tests, though, but don't stress yourselves out trying to remember the exact date that the Northwest Territories opened to white settlement or the day Chief Joseph surrendered.
"I'm also not going to waste time explaining that the United States is the best country in the history of history, which was pretty much the overarching theme of my high school history classes. America has made some tremendous achievements and some huge strides towards freedom for all--but we're not there yet, and we've certainly had some colossal screw-ups. If you don't think so, I invite you to pay a visit to Pine Ridge reservation out in South Dakota, or to read the Dred Scot decision.
"History isn't static, and there isn't just one interpretation of any event. This class will be about discussing this fact." He looked around the room. "Which means if you don't open your mouth, you're not going to do very well. I'm not huge on paperwork, so most of your grade will be based on class participation."
He picked up a sign-up sheet from his desk. "Please be sure to sign in every class. If you're not here, you can't participate. If you can't participate, you can't pass. Also, you get detention, which I'm led to believe isn't your standard 'sit in a musty classroom with the health teacher' deal."
He smiled and pointed at the board, where he had scrawled a quote. Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. "George Santayana wasn't talking about summer school. After you've signed in, please introduce yourself to the class and tell us what you think he meant."
Re: After class...
He smiled at Elizabeth. "Can I, as a political-type, beg that you actually give people some information about what you'll be planning to do? Slogans are great if there's another chance for people to learn more about you, but in a fast election like this, the visual is pretty much the only thing they'll be going off of." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not voting, obviously, but some of the posters around here don't really give a lot of help to newcomers especially about what the person would be willing to do on the council."
Re: After class...
She shrugged. "Well, obviously I'll be there to communicate the needs and opinions of the junior class, and the student body in general to the faculty and administration. I'd be willing to involve myself in both intra and extra mural committees and matters. I'd hope to make sure that the council didn't solely involve itself in just social matters and events, and was not considered a simply powerless entity who gets stifled by the school administration."
Re: After class...
Re: After class...