The study of history means reading' There's no escaping

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Reading History
The study of history means reading. There's no
escaping that simple fact. Reading history can
be a satisfying experience, regardless of what
you might have heard. It all depends on the book
you are reading.
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About Your Textbook
Volume I
Volume II
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For this course, you will reading
Characteristics of Alan Brinkleys The Unfinished
Nation
It is known for its clear narrative style,
based upon impeccable scholarship. It
offers a concise but comprehensive examination of
American History. It balances social and
cultural history with traditional political and
diplomatic themes. It
tells the story of the diversity and complexity
of the United States and the forces that have
enabled it to survive and flourish despite
division.
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About Using the Textbook
In order to make the reading of history more
satisfying and more purposeful, you must make an
effort. This means that you must have a general
sense of the subject matter.
You can't just jump into a textbook and expect to
get much out of it especially if the subject
matter is genuinely new to you.
So let us see what your textbook looks like and
what it offers to make sense of United States
history.
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What important features does your textbook have?
Each chapter starts with
Click on the slide
Title
Provides the general topic of history to be
discussed
Subtopics
Lists the elements included in the general topic
Introduction
Provides an overview of what you will be reading
about
Time Line
Provides you with a timeframe reference for the
general topic
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What important features does your textbook have?
In each chapter the subtopics are broken down
into secondary topics for easier analysis and
comprehension and easier note taking.
subtopic
secondary topic
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What important features does your textbook have?
Paragraph markers are provided throughout the
chapter to point to specific events and important
happenings. The markers provide guidance to let
you know what that particular paragraph is
elaborating on. The markers also provide a
starting point for note taking from the text
reading.
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What important features does your textbook have?
In selected chapters, the author has provided a
means for you to go beyond the textbook itself.
Debating the Past enables you to see how other
scholars view the general topic. Here you will
see how differently history is interpreted as it
pertains to the general topic.
In America in the World , the author has added
essays that comment on the relationship of
America to rest of the world.
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What important features does your textbook have?
The conclusion of each chapter is the summary of
what the chapter discussed. It will contain
several statements which get at the heart of
what was discussed.
This section of the chapter provides you with
further readings related to the general topic.
This bibliography consists of outstanding
historical writings by scholars who have studied
Americas past.
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There's no "right" way to read a history
textbook. Here are some suggestions that will
prove helpful to you as college students.

• In my experience, I have found it useful to read
  the introduction and the conclusion
  first. In the first instance, you will find out
  what the author is going to discuss in the
  second instance, you will find out what
  conclusions the author has drawn after he has
  presented the facts.

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• Read the assignment twice.

The first time through, your goal is to get an
overall view of the time period covered.
The second reading is for taking notes. With the
section titles as a guide, write down key points
and significant concepts.
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• pay close attention when the author discusses the
  causes
• or consequences of events,
• summarize the character of a period,
• point out different interpretations, or make
  comparisons
• between one era and another.
• Study any maps, statistical tables, or other
  illustrations
• during the second reading

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The purpose of note taking
is to make it easier to review what you've read
to help retain factual information
Also, make sure your notes are well organized and
clear. Notes are useless if you can't read
them. It's a good idea to type up your notes on
each chapter
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The publisher of your textbook offers a
Student on-line learning center
With
Quizzes       Multiple ChoiceEssayImage
QuizInteractive MapsTrue or FalseAmerica in
the WorldDebating the Past
News, Articles Links    Weblinks
   Internet Exercises
Click below
http//highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073513237/s
tudent_view0/index.html