History 200 DE

Week 2

Dr. Bruce Haulman
 

Welcome to Week 2 of Pacific Northwest History

How is the PNW Defined
What is Contingency Theory
Understanding PNW Geology and Geography
Where Things Are in the PNW

 

The first focus of this week is on what the Northwest is and how you define it.  As you explore different definitions of the Pacific Northwest I want you to develop your own definition that you can defend with reasoned argument.  I also want you to be able to explain why your definition is preferable to other competing definitions.

The second focus for this week is an understanding of Contingency Theory and how contingent explanations of history can lead to a better understanding of how the past affects the present.

The third focus for this week is the geology, geography, and locations of the Pacific Northwest.  If you are to learn about the Pacific Northwest, you must understand how the land got to be the way it is, what the different regions of the Pacific Northwest are, and where locations are in the Pacific Northwest.

To complete this second week of the class you need to do the following Eight (8)  things:

1. Read both Prefaces and Chapter 1 "A Sense of Place: The Essential Northwest" in Schwantes.  Note how he defines the Pacific Northwest, and ask yourself why. Visit the Study Guide for Chapter 1 for help in identifying the major concepts.

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2. Visit the web sites listed here and compare these definitions of the Pacific Northwest with Schwantes's definition.  Be clear on how each definition differs from the others.

Biosphere Map

Columbia Drainage Map

 

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3.Develop your own definition of the Pacific Northwest. E-mail me your 250-300 word definition that explains why your definition is the best possible definition of this region. Be sure to define the region; explain what you include in the region, and why; and what you exclude from the region, and why.

Click on this link to email me your definition: bhaulman@greenriver.edu

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© TNT
 

4.  Read Richard White's and Stephen J. Gould's articles on Contingency Theory.  Summarize the case for a contingent or contingency approach to history in a short paragraph (150-200 words).

     Click here to go to
Richard White. "Contingency"

     Click here to go to
Stephen J. Gould. "Contingency"

    Click on this link to email me your paragraph bhaulman@greenriver.edu

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5.  Geology of The PNW           

Click on this link to go to the slides and lecture on Pacific Northwest Geology.

 

6.  Geography of The PNW

Click on this link to go to the map and questions on Pacific Northwest Geography.


©Adrian Dorst
7.  Place Names in The PNW

Click on this link to go to the Placename Map and self quiz on Pacific Northwest Placenames.


© Terry Donnelly

8. Post a comment or observation about how the concept of contingency affects your definition of the PNW to the Message Board in the lLessons Tab.

Go to the Message Board in the Lessons Tab.



 

These Eight (8) assignments conclude the second week of this class.

© Bruce E. Haulman 2008