Background Information
Purpose Engage in shared historical inquiry to learn about the past and understand the present.
Time 3 hours
Questions Does history repeat itself? If so, what can that teach us about the present?
Resources The Last Americans
Martin Luther King, Jr. at Oberlin
Supporting Documents:
• Does History Repeat Itself? Discussion Guide
• Discussion Reflection Questions
• Editing Checklist for Written Tasks
• Does History Repeat Itself Project Rubric
Summary With at least three other people, organize a panel discussion that draws on the content from this course and outside resources, and focuses on how we can apply what we know about historical periods and events to understand the world around us today. Upon the conclusion of your discussion, work together to develop a list of three points of agreement and three questions for further investigation. Then write a paper describing what you learned from the discussion.
Introduction
Historians often talk about repeating cycles in history, from the rise and fall of empires, to colonization and revolution to migration, assimilation, and conflict. Historical understanding can serve as an important mirror for the issues of the day, and can potentially help us to approach new challenges with more insight and greater perspective.
Assignment Instructions
Step 1: Reflect on the question, “How can I use what I have learned about the past to understand the present?”
a) Review the content from this course, and draw on any prior knowledge and outside experience.
b) If you have not already completed the pre-project activity, read the texts from the Resources section, and respond to the questions in the pre-project activity.

Step 2: Organize and conduct a panel discussion about the connection between the past and the present with at least three other members of your learning community.
a) Consider inviting others to join the discussion as audience members, or consider capturing the discussion on video and sharing it (with written permission from all participants, of course).
b) Use the Does History Repeat Itself? Discussion Guide to focus your discussion.
c) Toward the conclusion of the discussion, develop a shared list of three points of agreement and three questions for further investigation.
d) After the discussion, complete the Discussion Reflection Questions.

Step 3: Write a two-page paper explaining your own personal take-aways from the discussion.
a) In this paper, address the following key points. Support your ideas with evidence from the discussion, from the texts, and from other content in this course:
• Do you believe that history repeats itself? In what ways?
• What period(s) from history does the current moment in time reflect? Why do you think so?
• What can we learn from the past to help us make good decisions about the future?
• How did your ideas about these topics change or not change as a result of this discussion?
b) Your paper should address the questions above, but should be clearly organized, with a thesis, supporting evidence, and conclusion.
c) Use the Does History Repeat Itself? Rubric and the Editing Checklist for Written Tasks to reflect on your work for this project, and revise the written paper as needed.

Step 4: Upload and submit the following completed documents:
a) Discussion Guide
b) Discussion Reflection Questions
c) Written Paper