During the semester we will engage in the practice of considering alternatives to historical reality. It is a practice that I rarely tolerate and usually request my students to avoid. We will examine twelve significant events/individuals that were controversial in their day and remain a source of debate in present times.

• Develop a body of historical knowledge with breadth of time and place
• Develop the ability to debate orally by presenting your research in a competitive environment
• The practice of historical investigation and research
• Be able to write convincingly, yet succinctly
• Be able to identify and critique differing historical methodologies
• Be aware of context, including but not limited to, the subject, author, and audience
• Provide and analytical undergird to causal explanations
• Perceive and evaluate historical arguments as articulated in secondary sources
• Analyze a variety of primary sources
• Be able to provide your informed opinion respecting that others may assess data differently