Historical Literacy

One of the three components of how we define “historical literacy” in our course is the ability to understand the historical method and employ historical methodology. By “historical method,” we mean the analysis and interpretation of historical events based on a critical reading and understanding of primary sources within the context of their time. Because of this, the ability to engage primary sources is central to developing historical literacy. When these sources deal with religion, engaging them also helps to develop religious literacy.

In order to help you use primary sources, each student will complete this assignment for Module 5 and Module 7.

Step 1: In one long sentence, summarize the primary source.

Your response:

Step 2:In a paragraph (at least 5 sentences), identify: (1) the author(s) of the document, (2) the
intended audience for this primary source (for whom do you think it was written?), and
(3) what you think the purpose of the document might have been (why was it wri
In a paragraph (at least 5 sentences), identify: (1) the author(s) of the document, (2) the
intended audience for this primary source (for whom do you think it was written?), and
(3) what you think the purpose of the document might have been (why was it wri
Step 2: In one paragraph, identify the author(s) of the document (who wrote it?); the date of the source (when was it written?); the intended audience for this primary source (for whom it was written?); and what you think the purpose of the document might have been (why was it written?).

Your response:

Step 3: In one paragraph, identify three insights about the time period in which the document was written that you can draw from the document and the above questions.

Your response:

Step 4: Recall that no source is completely objective, that is, every source reflects a specific perspective. Imagine yourself as a historian writing a book on the time period from which the source stems. Then, in one paragraph, identify two strengths and one weakness of relying on this source for your historical investigation.

Your response: