Originally published on February 27, 2019 (Episode 100)
Introduction
For our 100th episode, we turned back to the very beginning—with my first guest, Lendol Calder—and brought along Sam Wineburg, the scholar who has done more than anyone to shape how we think about historical thinking itself. Together we talk about Wineburg’s classic Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts (Temple, 2001) and his more recent Why Learn History (When It’s Already on Your Phone) (Chicago, 2018).
This conversation is both celebratory and serious. We reflect on the unnatural difficulty of real historical thinking, the humility it requires, and the awe it can inspire. As Wineburg reminds us, history is not about memorizing facts but about cultivating habits of mind that lead us outward from ourselves and our own times.
About the Guests
Sam Wineburg is the Margaret Jacks Professor of Education and History at Stanford University, where he founded the Stanford History Education Group (SHEG)—which has since the podcast transformed into the Digital Inquiry Group.
Lendol Calder is Professor of History at Augustana College and a leading voice in history pedagogy.
For Further Investigation
Sam Wineburg, Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts (Temple, 2001)
—, Why Learn History (When It’s Already on Your Phone) (Chicago, 2018)
Digital Inquiry Group—of particular interest to listeners of this podcast should be the online courses on “Reading Like a Historian”
Lendol Calder, “Uncoverage: Toward a Signature Pedagogy for the History Survey” The Journal of American History, Vol. 92, No. 4 (Mar., 2006), pp. 1358-1370
Listen & Discuss
Why is historical thinking so difficult—and why is that good for us?
What virtues can history teach that other disciplines cannot?
How should we rethink history education in the age of the smartphone?
If you know a teacher—or a student—share this episode with them.
