A Pledge of Allegiance: Joining the Grange
When the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry was first organized in Minnesota in December 1867, its goals were primarily social and educational. The organization spread rapidly throughout the agricultural Midwest, attracting more than 850,000 members by 1875. The Grange's purpose also expanded--it experimented (unsuccessfully) with cooperatives, and, angered by hard times, tight money, and high railroad shipping rates, moved into politics. Members elected sympathetic state legislators wh
"A Modern School": Abraham Flexner Outlines Progressive Education
In the early 20th century, an impressive array of intellectuals, social critics, and grassroots activists came together to launch a progressive education movement that sought broad-based change in American educational practice. At the heart of the progressive program lay a pedagogy that emphasized flexibility and critical thinking. This was coupled with the belief that schools should establish organic relationships with their communities, that curricula should confront broad social issues, and t
"A German Beer Garden on Sunday Evening."
Between 1820 and 1860, 1,500,000 immigrants arrived in America from Germany. Many of the new arrivals who settled in cities such as New York worked as shopkeepers and skilled tradesmen, although many more worked as employees in construction, brewing, and manufacturing. Although German immigrants did not mix politics and liquor, reformers were disconcerted by the atmosphere of their social establishments. Unlike the bars in Irish neighborhoods, the beer gardens catered to whole families. As this
A Clear and Present Danger: The Chinese Exclusion Act
The San Francisco Building Trades Council (BTC), organized in 1898, actively participated in the anti-Asian agitation that characterized California politics, particularly labor politics, in the late-19th century. The BTC, like the national American Federation of Labor (AFL), argued that the very presence of Chinese (and, after 1900, Japanese and Korean immigrants as well) dragged down the living standards of white workers. The following excerpt is from a 1902 AFL pamphlet entitled Some Reasons f
Jigsaw puzzle size-up
This online jigsaw puzzle activity requires students to enlarge or shrink some puzzle pieces to make them the correct size for the puzzle. The choices for enlarging are 1.5, 2, and 4 times larger, while the sizes for shrinking are one-fourth, one-third, and one-half times smaller. The activity consists of three progressively more difficult eight-piece puzzles. The final puzzle lacks the outline on the puzzle board to help the student see where the pieces belong. A timer allows the student 20 sec
Drip drops : how much water do you waste?
In this activity, students are given a situation in which a leaky faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop every two seconds. They are asked to decide if the water lost in one week would fill a drinking glass, a sink, or a bathtub. The activity, part of the Figure This! collection of 80 challenges, notes that mathematics is crucial for environmental and government agencies that must interpret data and report their findings to the public. The Hint states that a teaspoon holds about 20 drops. Th
Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2)
This activity asks the student to determine if Florence Griffith-Joyner moved faster than a car traveling 15 miles per hour when she ran 10 meters at a record-breaking 0.91 seconds during the Seoul Olympics. The activity, from the Figure This! collection of 80 math challenges, offers students real world problems related to conversions of units of measure for volume, distance, and temperature. Also included are questions relating to currency exchange and information about world records related to
Auburn vs. F.S.U. (1954)
"Coach Shug Jordan canned his famous X and Y team, and came up with a combination that served notice of things to come as Auburn got back into the IA in column with a 33-0 victory over the Florida State University Seminoles. Although the Tiger attack seemed sloppy at times, they moved at will, and after the first series of plays F.S.U. never appeared dangerous. From there the Plainsmen went straight home, with Free-man sneaking over half-way in the first period after recovering a fumble. In the
Auburn vs. Alabama (1955)
"The Auburn Tigers put the finishing touches on one of the greatest seasons in Auburn history by defeating hapless Alabama, 26-0, at Legion Field in Birmingham. Once again, Howell Tubbs and Jerry Elliott supplied the offensive thrills for the afternoon, with Tubbs tossing two scoring passes to Elliott and taking one in for him. The Tigers' steady quarterback gained 68 yards rushing and completed five of ten passes for 78 yards. Joe Childress proved once and for all that he deserved every bit of
Topics in Pre-Modern Japanese History
This book emphasizes a succession of topics rather than strict adherence to the flow of time. The chapters move from earlier periods of time to later periods of time, but their content and organization gives top priority to coverage of topics. While the "mainstream" narrative of politics and institutions is present in these pages, the emphasis is on social and cultural history wherever possible.
Let's Talk Politics: Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Acclaimed British playwright David Edgar takes aim at American politics with his two-play cycle, Continental Divide, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. This Educator Guide explores the history of political activism and political theatre in the UK and the US.
Addition - Timed Practice and Drill
Solve the addition facts before the time runs out. Offers timed addition fact practice for digits 1-10. Students are given a time limit to answer each question. The time limits become shorter as the student progresses. The time limits include 10 seconds, 8 seconds, 6 seconds, 5 seconds, 4 seconds, 3 seconds, and 2 seconds. Students are also able to take a 2 minute timed test and a 1 minute timed test.
Conversations with Berkeley Faculty: Ira Lapidus (1/14/03)
Conversations with History Presents Faculty Research at the University of California, Berkeley
A Conversation with Ira Lapidus Professor Emeritus of History
"Islamic Societies"
This interview took place on January 14, 2003. Complete transcript is available.
Ira Lapidus, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of California, Berkeley, and the founding Chair of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies on the Berkeley campus. Professor Lapidus has traveled extensively across the Muslim worl
Question of the Day: ANWR Drilling Policy
This "Question of the Day" activity asks students to examine two policy positions regarding drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as a part of the interplay between science and politics. The students also determine their viewpoint on the issue and share/defend it with their peers. This site offers teaching notes and tips, downloadable materials, and links to additional online references and resources.
War in Europe
Professor Wolff is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for International Crisis Management and Conflict Resolution at the School of Politics and International Relations at The University of Nottingham. Emailstefan.wolff@nottingham.ac.uk
n this podcast Professor Stefan Wolff assesses the implications of the recent outbreak of fighting between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia.
Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States, 1846-48
This site offers geography and history activities showing how two years in history had an indelible impact on American politics and culture. Students interpret historical maps, identify territories acquired by the U.S., identify states later formed from these territories, examine the territorial status of Texas, and identify political, social, and economic issues related to the expansion of the U.S. in the 1840s.
Politics in 60 seconds. Disaster politics
Dr Vanessa Pupavac defines a polical concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focusses on disaster politics as a political concept.
Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.
May 2010
Suitable for Undergraduate study and Community education
Dr Vanessa Pupavac, School of Politics and International Relations
Dr Vanessa Pupavac is a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Nottingham. She has previously worked for the U
Politics in 60 seconds. Corruption
Professor Paul Heywood defines a polical concept in 60 seconds for those with a spare minute to learn something new. This videocast focuses on corruption as a political concept.
Warning: video does contain bloopers and out takes.
May 2010
Suitable for Undergraduate study and community education
Professor Paul Heywood, School of Politics and International Relations
Professor Paul Heywood is Sir Francis Hill Professor of European Politics. He graduated with an MA in Politics (First Class) fro
Introduction to European politics
This is a module framework. It can be viewed online or downloaded as a zip file.
As taught in Spring Semester 2009
This module seeks to provide students with an understanding of the rationale and key stages of European integration, as well as of the institutions of the European Union and its functioning. Topics covered will include an overview of the History of European integration, key approaches to integration, the main institutions (Council, Commission, Court of Justice, European Parliament
The Time of the Lincolns
The film Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided and this companion Web site, The Time of the Lincolns, offer insights into topics in American history including women's rights, slavery, abolition, politics and partisanship, the growth of the industrial economy, and the Civil War. You can use part or all of the film, or delve into the rich resources available on this Web site to learn more, either in a classroom or on your own.
