Jewish History Topics: Jewish History Topics: research strategies research strategies

and and library resourceslibrary resources

by Esther Nussbaumby Esther Nussbaumand and

Chaya WiesmanChaya Wiesman

Research Goals – Faculty Research Goals – Faculty ObjectivesObjectives

To produce students who are To produce students who are

capable of: capable of:

Independent thinkingIndependent thinking Self-directed investigation Self-directed investigation Formulating research goalsFormulating research goals Research competenceResearch competence

99thth Grade – Grade – Students given a list of Students given a list of topics topics in the form of a question.in the form of a question.

Examples:Examples:1.1. Why were the Jews readmitted to Why were the Jews readmitted to

England?England?2.2. What are the origins of Ethiopian Jewry?What are the origins of Ethiopian Jewry?3.3. Did the Hasmonean revolt start because of Did the Hasmonean revolt start because of

Antiochus’s policies?Antiochus’s policies?4.4. Was the Chmielnitzki uprising of 1648 Was the Chmielnitzki uprising of 1648

actually directed more against the Poles actually directed more against the Poles than the Jews?than the Jews?

5.5. What impact did the Crusades have on the What impact did the Crusades have on the position of the Jews in medieval Europe?position of the Jews in medieval Europe?

1010thth Grade – Students given a list Grade – Students given a list from from which to create a question.which to create a question.

examples: examples: 1.1. The Haskalah in RussiaThe Haskalah in Russia

2.2. French anti-Semitism during the Third French anti-Semitism during the Third RepublicRepublic

3.3. Jewish-Arab relations in the 1920’s Jewish-Arab relations in the 1920’s PalestinePalestine

4.4. Italian Fascism and the JewsItalian Fascism and the Jews

5.5. A study of any of the aliyotA study of any of the aliyot

Some examples of Some examples of questions formulated as questions formulated as

theses statements:theses statements: The Haskalah movement’s greatest achievement The Haskalah movement’s greatest achievement

was Zionism and was the opposite of what it was Zionism and was the opposite of what it originally set out to accomplish. This ironically originally set out to accomplish. This ironically lead the Haskalah to become, ultimately, a lead the Haskalah to become, ultimately, a successful movement. successful movement.

The primary cause of anti-Semitism in the late The primary cause of anti-Semitism in the late 1700s and early 1800s was racism while in the 1700s and early 1800s was racism while in the middle and late 1800s the primary cause was the middle and late 1800s the primary cause was the growing dislike of the liberal philosophy which growing dislike of the liberal philosophy which Jews just happened to have been very involved in. Jews just happened to have been very involved in.

Mussolini was never actually anti-Semitic nor Mussolini was never actually anti-Semitic nor was he a Zionist or supporter of the Jews; rather was he a Zionist or supporter of the Jews; rather he treated them in whatever way was most he treated them in whatever way was most beneficial for him. beneficial for him.

1111thth Grade – Grade – Students choose a topicStudents choose a topic in in American History. They may choose American History. They may choose a Jewish topic. No list is given.a Jewish topic. No list is given.

Library has a large collection on Library has a large collection on American Jewish History that is American Jewish History that is integrated with the American History integrated with the American History collection. (973.296 in our catalog)collection. (973.296 in our catalog)

1212thth Grade – elective Grade – elective course (students course (students choose a topic and do choose a topic and do primary source primary source researchresearch.).)

Summary of tasks for Summary of tasks for students:students:

Compile a research bibliography Compile a research bibliography Search library databases for Search library databases for

scholarly books and articlesscholarly books and articles Use scholarly periodical Use scholarly periodical

databases (JStor, Project Muse)databases (JStor, Project Muse) Use appropriate search termsUse appropriate search terms

Students must provide:Students must provide:

A list of sources and where A list of sources and where they are locatedthey are located

Note cards on their research Note cards on their research topicstopics

1.1. FactsFacts

2.2. Primary sourcesPrimary sources

3.3. Historical opinionsHistorical opinions

4.4. Thesis statementThesis statement

Requirements for Requirements for research:research:

5-10 monographs or scholarly 5-10 monographs or scholarly booksbooks

scholarly articlesscholarly articles

Library Resources:Library Resources:

Automated catalog Automated catalog (OPALS)(OPALS)

Subject EncyclopediasSubject Encyclopedias1.1.Dictionary of the Middle Dictionary of the Middle Ages (13 vols.)Ages (13 vols.)

2.2.Civilizations of the Ancient Civilizations of the Ancient Near East (4 vols.)Near East (4 vols.)

3.3.Civilizations of the Ancient Civilizations of the Ancient Mediterranean (3 vols.)Mediterranean (3 vols.)

4.4. Europe 1450-1789 (6 vols.)Europe 1450-1789 (6 vols.)

Scholarly PeriodicalsScholarly Periodicals

1. JStor1. JStor

2. Project Muse2. Project Muse

Ebooks Ebooks (check our (check our catalogcatalog))

1.1.Oxford Scholarship online Oxford Scholarship online (history)(history)

2.2.Oxford Scholarship online Oxford Scholarship online (political science)(political science)

3.3.Encyclopedia of the Encyclopedia of the EnlightenmentEnlightenment

4.4.Encyclopedia of Religion Encyclopedia of Religion and Societyand Society

Other Helpful Strategies Other Helpful Strategies

Create a Wiki Create a Wiki Example : Example :

https://nyc-ccd.wikispaces.com/European+History+-+Third+Reich

Issue a Pathfinder Issue a Pathfinder

Librarian’s goal: Librarian’s goal: independent independent learnerslearners

(refrain from spoon feeding !)(refrain from spoon feeding !)

Please rememberPlease remember

Thank you to:Thank you to:

Dr. Jon Jucovy, chairperson of the Dr. Jon Jucovy, chairperson of the Ramaz History DepartmentRamaz History Department

Ramaz History FacultyRamaz History Faculty

Sam Markowitz, Head of Sam Markowitz, Head of Educational TechnologyEducational Technology