Outside of an academic setting, history can seem quite unimportant when compared to the pressing matters of the present. But history gives context and credibility to whatever one is doing. It can demonstrate sensitivity to the diverse issues and people associated with a given field of action. With a historical perspective, we can think about the present with more wisdom and act more appropriately.
Stories about origins
It is often the case that first principles are evident within the first events that give rise to and shape a given field. This is one of the great reasons for history: it doesn't just narrate the past; it uses the past to make claims about foundational concepts that transcend time. We retell stories of how things first came to be in order to remind ourselves and ongoing generations about standards, issues, and even problems that have been and remain critical.
In 300-500 words, trace the development of your chosen field over time and relate it to the history of civilization. If possible, tell the story of how your field began. What contexts gave rise to the formation of that field? Some fields are of very recent origin. If so, you may need to generalize a bit to the broader field that has a longer history. Do your best to trace your field back to antiquity if possible. For a model of this look at the "History of Accounting" section in this post (although that post lacks the social source I am requiring, as described below).
In giving this history, use two sorts of sources:
- A scholarly source
- A social source
By this is meant you must communicate with someone presently in the field who can give you a historical perspective. That person may not be able to give you a general history, but he or she should be able to tell you about how this field has developed over time as far as they know (so don't consult someone new to the field).
Use the label: "my field in the history of civilization"
Due: Friday, Nov 13 at noon. Comments at 5pm
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