Given our approach, the ultimate success of this book can be best measured in functional terms-how well it works for the apprentices and artisans. We hope that the artisans, our fellow historians, will find the volume'simplicit as well as explicit definitions of good history worth considering.In choosing our examples, we have naturally gravitated toward the work ofthose historians we most respect. At the same time, we have drawn upon ourown original research in many of the topics discussed; we hope those findings also may be of use to scholars

his book began as an attempt to bring more life to the reading and learning of history. As practicing historians, we have been troubled by a growing disinterest in or even animosity toward the study of the past. How is itthat when we and other historians have found so much that excites curiosity, other people find history irrelevant and boring? Perhaps, we thought,if lay readers and students understood better how historians go about theirwork-how they examine evidence, how they pose questions, and how theyreach answers-history would engage them as it does us.As often happens, it took a mundane event to focus and clarify our preoccupations. One day while working on another project, we went outside towatch a neighboring farmer cut down a large old hemlock that had becomediseased. As his saw cut deeper into the tree, we joked that it had now bitinto history as far back as the Depression. "Depression?" grunted our friend."I thought you fellas were historians. I'm deep enough now so's Hooverwasn't even a gleam in his father's eye."With the tree down, the three of us examined the stump. Our woodcuttersurprised us with what he saw."Here's when my folks moved into this place," he said, pointing to aring. "1922.""How do you know without counting the rings?" we asked."Oh, well," he said, as if the answer were obvious. "Look at the core, here.The rings are all bunched up tight. I bet there's sixty or seventy-and allwithin a couple inches. Those came when the place was still forest. Then,you notice, the rings start getting fatter all of a sudden. That's when my dadcleared behind the house-in '22-and the tree started getting a lot morelight. And look further out, here-see how the rings set together again for acouple years? That's from loopers.""Loopers?" we asked cautiously."Sure-loopers. You know. The ones with only front legs and back." Hishand imitated a looping, hopping crawl across the log. "Inchworms. Theydamn near killed the tree. That was sometime after the war-'49 or '50." As

be aware that in an asynchronous course MORE IS REQUIRED of you...o in terms of managing your own time, schedule, personal life and so on...▪ to get the course work done▪ with the flexibility to practically complete assignments any time / anywhere• be aware that EACH asynchronous class has its own structure, methods, requirements and soon...o college instructors are required to meet the learning goals of their Department▪ but they individually decide on specific curriculum or methods for their courseo focus on... and try your best... to meet the requirements and so on... for this asynchronouscourse▪ “It always seems impossible until it’s done”▪ complaining that this asynchronous course is not like another or a previous one doesnot get this course work done▪ energy spent complaining about the course does not get the course work done▪ while one student is complaining, another student is doing the course work▪ energy is better spent doing the course work▪ energy is better spent asking questions on the Q & A Discussion Forum▪ energy is better spent seeking various help early

asynchronous learning DOES NOT mean less course worko the asynchronous course work is the same amount as in-person or face to face learning▪ but asynchronous students do not have to commute to the on-campus classroomo and by nature, asynchronous course work requires MORE to-do steps▪ in order for students to tackle assignments without the instructor physically present▪ much like going home and completing homework on your own▪ relying on your notes (asynchronous instructions) as your guide

EACH student MUST complete course work DURING each WEEK of the semestero this is not a course where you can wait until the end to do all assignments or catch up▪ you will not be learning▪ once an assignment CLOSES it will NOT REOPEN▪ and CANNOT BE MADE UP▪ and there are NO MAKE-UP assignments▪ therefore, waiting until the end of the semester to do all course work, can onlyresult in a failing final gradeo learning in a composition (writing course) is a PROCESS throughout the semester

ALL assignments MUST BE SUBMITTED ON Blackboardo before an assignment closeso do not email course work—emailed work does not count