Love History?

[JLo10131121]

To answer your questions I think no, we'll never see a co-existing world, at least not in the next several hundred centuries. If we as a species couldn't get it together in well over four thousand years, it sure as hell ain't happenin' anytime soon. I also don't think we'll ever overcome all that petty division of religion, money, powerseeking etc. for the simple fact that humanity is never satisfied. One of my favorite movies is Before Sunset. In one scene Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's characters, Jesse and Celine respectively, are talking about their lives and Jesse says something to the effect that he's never completely satisfied with what he has and once you satisfy one craving or desire, it 'agitates' another so you have to have that thing. This goes along with your question in that people will never be satisfied, whether it's in their lives or as a nation as a whole. I think there will always be strife. it's what it means to be human. And quite frankly, if we lived in a utopian society, it would get pretty damn boring. Now that's not to say I think complete chaos is good, but I think we need some kind of adversarial relationship with *something* to grow, as an individual, as a nation, and as a species. And as for your last question, don't we have so called "presidents" that perform their functions pretty much as dictators?

Now, as to the original question from the first page. I went to the University of South Florida from 2000-2005 and my first semester as a freshman I took Medieval History I with Roy Van Neste. It was a 4000 level course... Of course back then I had no *clue* what the numbers meant. lol. I worked my ass off that semester. Four tests and a 20 page paper minimum and the tests weren't multiple choice or T/F. They were essay format only. I learned A LOT in that four month block. Loved it so much I went back for more punishment in Med His II, which the first course covered from the fall of the Roman Empire through roughly 1000 A.D. (It's not A.D. anymore, but I can't remember what it is...) and the second semester covered 1000 through the Dark Ages to somewhere around 1500-1600. I'd always had an unholy fascination since I was a child with medieval and ancient history especially, going so far as to watch TLC/Discovery/History channels when they featured pieces on my favorite time periods. I also adore Scottish and Irish history. I love everything about those periods: the art, literature especially, the myths and religious backgrounds of the periods, etc. I'm a firm believer in learning from the past instead of being doomed to repeat it.

 

[MakeTracksCowboy]

(It's not A.D. anymore, but I can't remember what it is...)

to answer you question A.D. is now C.E for Common Era and B.C. is now B.C.E for Before Common Era.

right now i am studying Art History at Montclair State University in NJ. i love Art History it's such a fascinating subject. there's so much to learn about a time period, a person, a place just by looking at a painting. my favorite thing to learn is symbolism, i can read and learn about that all day in paintings (EX: did you know the gold in the background of Medieval works is supposed to represent the light of God? A picture of Cupid urinating on Venus is a sign of fertility?). my favorite time periods are Ancient Rome, Medieval, the Renaissance, and Fauvism/impressionism.

my favorite artists are Michelangelo, DaVinci, Raphael, Carravaggio, Jacques- Louis David, Gustave Klimt, Eugene Delicoix, John Singer Sargent, and Matisse. i have too many favorite paintings but right now i am really into the painting "Madam X" by John Singer Sargent. i was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC where the painting resides and it just captivated me, it's stunning. if anyone wants to read a fantastic book read "Strapless" it's about the painting, the sitter, french society and the drama of making it.

i've always had a thing for history espcially Western Civ. i love learning about Europe and Art History is a great way to not only learn about art but to learn about different time periods and cultures. i ahd to research David's "The Death of Socrates" last semester: it was painted during the French Revolution and the artist was very into politics so the piece is political. i didn't know too much about David or the revolution and i learned so much just researching this painting.

i am just getting into photography as an art form. i was never into it before but i had to go to the International Photography Center in NYC a few weeks ago to see an exhibit. the exhibit was ok wasn't too much to my liking but i came across these beautiful photographs by Edward Steichen. he was the chief photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair from 1923-1937. his photos are gorgeous.

i'd like to one day work in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as an educator (basically a glorified tour guide, i can be a tour guide with a Phd). the Met is a wonderful museum i'm always finding something new every time i go there.

 

[Solitaire]

MakeTracks- I've never done art history, but I can definitely see its appeal. David- is he the artist who painted the famous portrait of Napoleon? I once did a semester on the French Revolution, and really enjoyed it.
I hope you make it to the Met!

 

[luf100]

I found my next tattoo design in history two days ago. Ancient Egypt is too awesome. Who knows when I'll get it though.

 

[Solitaire]

What are you thinking of getting? I have a necklace with hieroglyphics on.

I never got to do Ancient Egypt, at school or Uni. And its a shame, because the whole civilization was so amazing, I wouid have loved to have studied it.

 

[CoachMom]

We just finished Ancient Egypt. This is the first year that my kids loved this unit. Usually they dislike it but this they they were really into it.

 

[Walker]

Anyone here who loves history? What's your favorite part of history?

Hello everyone, I'm new to this board and was very happy to see this thread because I love history I'm especially interested in the history of my country which is Poland (so as you can see, English is not my native language and I apologize in advance for all the mistakes), to be more exact, Polish Middle Ages. But generally, I like all that is connected with history

 

[luf100]

What are you thinking of getting? I have a necklace with hieroglyphics on.

I never got to do Ancient Egypt, at school or Uni. And its a shame, because the whole civilization was so amazing, I wouid have loved to have studied it.

This is all that it is. It's so simple but I really like it. I'm much more into the tiny simple things that mean something rather than these huge really well known things. Besides if we're talking tattoos you'd need a good tattoo artist to do something like the head of King Tut. Anyways, I think it's actually supposed to mean "month". I found it while searching all this stuff on the Egyptian calendar. :lol: This is what the site says about it:

Among other things, the hieroglyphic symbol for "month" shows a crescent moon (the first visible crescent of the new moon) over a star.

I already have the Eye of Horus/Ra on my left shoulder (which is the right eye) but I want to get the left eye on my right shoulder too. I love the whole story about the eyes of Horus/Ra. :lol:

It sucks that you never got to study them. Especially through university because I'm sure you would go way more in depth than any high school history class.'

Welcome Walker! It's always awesome to know about the history of your own country. Especially if you live somewhere where you actually have a lot of history. :lol: (Unlike Canada where we don't even know much about anything farther back then when the Vikings showed up.)

 

[Stepherweps]

Hello, I'm Steph and I love history. (Haha, I feel like I'm in an AA meeting or something), I'm currently in my last year of high school, and studying history, this year we studied the French Revolution (which I have to admit I hated), Napoleon Bonapart (which was really interesting), Unionism and Nationalism In 19th Century Ireland, and from Union to Partition in Ireland - 1900 - 1921 (I love Irish history, so I have a particular intrest in the last 2 modules). I'm going on to study Modern History in University in September (providing of course that I get the grades). I'm really looking forward to studying further about the 2 World Wars and The Cold War, I'd also love to delve further into Irish history, and would love to take a module on the Tudors, I find that whole time period really interesting. I'd also love to study the Victorians again.

 

[Solitaire]

Luf- cool design. I know, its terrible I never got to do Egypt. I never had the option.
The eye of Ra- thats an unusual tat. I dont know anything about the story. All I know about Ancient Egypt is what i've seen in Stargate!

Walker- welcome! It is extra special learning the history of the place you come from. Your English is perfectly fine, dont worry.

Adorable Crazy- you get to do a good variety of topics on your course. Good luck with Uni. I did a general History degree, covering all eras but I do really like the Modern stuff.

 

[Walker]

Thx for the welcome everyone

Welcome Walker! It's always awesome to know about the history of your own country. Especially if you live somewhere where you actually have a lot of history. :lol: (Unlike Canada where we don't even know much about anything farther back then when the Vikings showed up.)

Yeah,we definitely have a long and interesting history, mostly because there were lots of turning points and we were either the winning party or the losing party :lol: and IMO such history is the most fascinating to learn. On the other hand, I'm not sure how many people in Poland share my point of view, most of them probably would love to have shorter and less complicated history to study at school

I'm currently in my last year of high school, and studying history, this year we studied the French Revolution (which I have to admit I hated), Napoleon Bonapart (which was really interesting), Unionism and Nationalism In 19th Century Ireland, and from Union to Partition in Ireland - 1900 - 1921 (I love Irish history, so I have a particular intrest in the last 2 modules). I'm going on to study Modern History in University in September (providing of course that I get the grades).

Yeah, French Revolution is awful to study, even more than Spring of Nation was I admit I don't know much about Irish history but it sure sounds interesting. I guess that unionism was in favour of union with Britain and nationalism was the opposite?
I'm jealous that you're going to continue studying history. I chose law instead, I enjoy it but miss history very much. I try to learn some things on my own but it's very hard to find time. Good luck with your grades and getting admitted to uni!

 

[lal]

Hi i love history , when i was at college i learned about the Victorians and the Tudors

 

[Solitaire]

We didn't do anything on either of those. At school we just did the 2 world wars, over and over. And a bit on the Romans!

 

[luf100]

I had my ancient history exam today. It was pretty easy. I loved the course though, can't wait for next years. It'll be a little bit harder because it's a university course, the course I took this year was an open course, so it was a bit easier. I want to be a librarian but I'd reaaaally want to do something with history too, (that's not a teacher), and I dunno what kinds of jobs there are. Hmm.

This thread had to be revived by the way. And a really awesome movie to watch if you like history (even though it's Hollywood's version) is Gladiator. :lol: I love it.

 

[talkingtocactus]

i can't believe i only just found this thread! *cue waffle*

i'm a huge history fan. i am currently in my first year of a degree in french and linguistics but i did another one (because i'm weird like that) in politics, philosophy and history that i finished last year. it's weird really, i initially only wanted to do pols and phil, i hated history at school (i was interested but we had an awful teacher), but i ended up almost wishing i'd done history on its own (i hated philosophy, it drove me up the wall! politics was ok).

anyway, i covered various areas on my degree - mainly british and european history - i did a few non european bits but i guess at an english uni it's always going to be anglocentric. there were course options on asian, african and american history as well as international relations and stuff, but i was more interested in my own little island

we had to do a course on which kinds of history there are and i'm definitely a social history type, i couldn't really care less about kings or empires or aristocrats. i mean, i know a bit about them and i guess i'm interested in power struggles but i like the history of ordinary people far more. i like people like EP Thompson who really brought that kind of history into focus - the marxist historians. i'm not a marxist (although i think marx had a lot of very good ideas) but i do like the focus on everyday life and how it is affected by and affects history a lot more than battle dates and stuff.

with that in mind...

this year we studied the French Revolution (which I have to admit I hated)

Yeah, French Revolution is awful to study

i'm shocked that people can hate the FR - i love it! it's one of the most momentous historical moments, especially from a social point of view, and its impact is massive (especially on american politics, along with the likes of john locke and other political philosophers, but they directly fed the revolution too so it's quite symbiotic), and without it, france would be more like england (and although i love england that would be a bad thing, because it would mean being a monarchy still, stuck in the bloody dark ages)! i think the FR is probably one of the single most important events in world history, even including right back to the romans. and it's really interesting too - i love the idea of revolution generally, that the people could join together to get rid of tyranny. i guess it didn't work quite right the first time, since they had to have 2 more lesser revolutions, but the idea of it was a wonderful thing. also i'm a francophile (i want to live there in a while) so i like their attitude to the revolution - they won't let it be forgotten and they are staunchly republican (with a small r).

when i was a kid i had an obsession with ancient egypt - i am still interested but it's definitely waned a bit. i guess because the social side of that period is so poorly documented, and i've got less interested in kings and queens.

i really liked doing medieval history, i did a bit on the period between 750 and 1250, and i thought the 10th and 11th centuries were great, probably because there was a lot of social change then, which fits in with my liking social history, it was a pretty tumultuous time, but there was a lot of direct change too, like william I's bureaucratisation of britain, that affected everyone. it fits in with my linguistic interest too, as i'd love to learn old and middle english, the way english has changed really fascinates me.

i love soviet history as well - i never officially studied it but i read about it a lot, i love russian literature, and i am really interested in the gulag system. i went to russia and loved it, it was just amazing, and i guess i'm into russian history overall, but particularly soviet. i think maybe i'm fascinated by the fact that while the west were absorbed with getting rid of hitler, they were cosying up to stalin who was at least as bad as hitler (in many ways i think he was worse). i'm also really interested in the anticommunist/socialist backlash in america in the 50s - i'm not a communist but i'm strongly socialist and i find it odd that socialism could be seen as some kind of evil force.

i think my favourite period that i covered though (in various courses) was 'the long 19th century' which is the 19th cent plus a bit on each end, basically covering the period between the start of the industrial revolution (around 1770) and the end of WWI. i love that entire period, i was utterly fascinated by it. i think in this country there was more social change between 1800 and 1918 than at any other time, and it was so fast moving. i am a real industrial revolution fiend, and i have a real thing for the real life versions of the kinds of things you get in dickens novels (which of course were based in social research).

i did my dissertation on WWI - i am totally fascinated by that war. i'm not nearly as interested in WWII. i'm fascinated by hitler and the holocaust but the war element of WWII just doesn't really interest me, whereas the war element of WWI really does. i did a bit of military history and it's another social change thing - the fact that weaponry got so mechanised that men with no experience (and boys) could be sent out to fight even though no one really stopped to think just how much damage these weapons could do because they'd never been used before (apart from briefly in the american civil war). i think the thing that gets me about WWI is the pointlessness of it - at least WWII was a "just" war, it was against a system that really needed to be stopped, and although bits of it were senseless, it was all in aid of doing right. WWI was just utterly utterly pointless, there really was no reason to go to war - it was all an accident of misplaced allegiances to old empires. the fact that so many millions died as a result of ego really gets to me. also, for a shock, the social aspect of WWI interests me - the fact that without it women in this country wouldn't have got the vote when they did, the fact that women were made to work and for the first time got some kind of freedom and then were forced back to the kitchen sink immediately afterwards, that kind of thing (i'm a card carrying feminist!). the mental illness aspect as well, i wrote an essay on shellshock, that's another fascinating thing - especially that so many men got this terrible mental affliction and everyone just treated them like they were skiving, and as if living in a wet ditch for months at a time while being bombed constantly could have no effect on the psyche at all. it makes me really sad/angry!

my dissertation was on women's romantic literature during WWI (mills & boon kind of things, there was a hell of a lot of it published right through the war) and how it subliminally supported the government's poster campaigns for recruitment. i was interested (and saddened) by how complicit women were in the process of shaming men into fighting - it seemed desperately sad that they would want to send their men away to almost certain death just to avoid being called names. i guess with the hindsight of knowing how pointless it was it's easy to say that but it still makes me sad. i like to think i'd have been a conchie supporter!

ho hum, sorry about the waffle, i do adore history and i tend to get carried away with it!