Professor Brophy

History 102

First Discussion Section:  Introduction to Reading Documents

Come to class with a definition of  primary sources and some examples of  what kinds of  evidence constitute primary sources.  Are some forms of  evidence better than others?  Why?

Consult the checklist of questions on p. xxiii:  which of these questions do you think are the most important?  Why is it important to interrogate the text?

Montaigne is considered the first essayist. What is this literary form aiming to do and why has the essay endured into modern times?   What do you consider the best feature of essay writing? What theme does Montaigne develop about belief and knowledge?   What roles do authority and experience play in knowledge?  Why might Montaigne’s writing be judged subversive?