A Life at the Law, and Now 97

This is a marvelous story from today's NY times about  a man whose career embodies the whole of the legal profession in the second half of the 20th century.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/us/29cncwarren.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

How to read a history text

http://www.utdallas.edu/~pkj010100/US/index.htm


This site has useful tips on how to get the most out of a history text. Scroll down to find it.

For my legal history students

The New York Times has a story today that illustrates a trend in 20th century law: individuals using litigation when the political process fails them or is not available. Here is the story about a group of islanders worried about rising sea levels, who are suing oil companies for the cost for their removal to the mainland.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/business/energy-environment/27lawsuits.html?emc=tnt&tntemail0=y

Why this blog?

I am a University at Albany history professor. I often tell my students that I expect them to be "engaged" with their coursework. It only seems fair that if I expect them to be engaged in their learning, that I should be engaged with their learning as well.


That's why I've started this blog. I will post articles, stories, PowerPoints, study guides, and other tips that will help all my students get more out of their classes. When I come across a particularly interesting story with relevance to US history or to current events, I will post links.


I also ask that my students send me stories or links that they think others will benefit from. We're all in this together!


Learning should be fun. I mean that. We should all remember that absolute joy we felt as toddlers as we began to explore the world around us. We should all remember the excitement we felt as we learned to read. Let's capture that spirit of WOW in what we have to learn now as well.