Assignment Overview

Historians primarily use written text to learn about the past. In this assignment, you will begin to construct valid data sets we can use to learn about the past. A valid data set begins with observations: things we can see by looking at a text. For each primary source, I will provide an image of the original document (or the closest surviving parallel example) and a translation/transcription of the text. You may make observations on what you see in the image and what you see in the translation/transcription.

Observations are anything we can see. Do not be afraid of making what seem to be “obvious” observations. Each observation contributes to our data set to help us learn about the people of the past.

An observation is valid as long as everyone looking at the same text agrees that what you have highlighted is actually present in the text or image.

Once we collect our observations, we have to interpret them: we have to explain what we think our observation tells us about the past. While we must all agree that an observation is present for it to be valid, we can (and should) have different ideas about each other’s interpretations. Each of us will try to make sense of the past in a way that makes sense to our individual contexts. This is part of what makes history fun, and makes it a living discipline that is constantly evolving.

While we can argue about our interpretations, there are clear rules about what makes an interpretation part of a valid data set for historians:

• A valid interpretation:
  • Describes what we can learn about the past based on what we think the observation means.
  • Is not a value judgment.
  • Is not a comparison with the present.

Basic Assignment Tasks

Use Hypothes.is and post to the Hist 1120-51 Su19 group to make your observations on the primary source:

1. Make four observations by highlighting the text you are observing.
   1. If someone has already highlighted the text you want to observe, your response to #2 and #3 below must say something different that adds to our valid data set.
2. Use the annotation feature to state your observation in your own words. Mark this as “explanation.”
3. State what you think your observation tells us about the culture that produced this document. Mark this as “interpretation.”

This assignment will be worth 5 points. Points can be earned for:

1. Four sections of text are annotated using Hypothes.is. (.25 points per annotation)
2. Each annotation uses the student’s own words to paraphrase or explain the observed piece of the text. (.5 points per paraphrase/explanation)
3. Each annotation is interpreted in a way that tells us about the people who were alive when the document was written. (.5 points per interpretation)

Assignment Rationale

Purpose: This assignment provides students the opportunity to collect data as historians do and think about how that data relates to historical thinking.

Learning Outcomes: Course Goal 1; AHA 1a; AHA 2a; AHA 2b; MnState Transfer Pathway 2; MnTC 5a

Learning Target: Students will be skilled at generating a valid data set from primary sources.

Criteria for Success

The successful assignment includes four annotations that include observation, explanation, and valid interpretation.

Hypothes.is Annotation Video