On the first day of class – also known as “syllabus day” – I always set aside time to discuss historical thinking and historical inquiry.  I am sure most of you do the same. I often begin with the question, “Why are we here?” Or, more specifically, “Why, in its infinite wisdom, does the State of Texas require that every single student who graduates with a BA or a BS from this university, no matter their course of study or their professional aims, either take or test out of two semesters of United States history?  I mean, wouldn’t some of Read more