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Overview
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In an alternative history discussion forum, the instructor poses questions to learners like, ‘what might have happened differently', or ‘what if?’ to help learners gain an understanding of an event’s significance on the chain of historical occasions contributing to learners’ engagement in discussing past and current conflicts?
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Rationale
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An alternative history discussion helps learners to explore and see important events from multiple perspectives while developing tolerance, conflict resolution, and empathy.
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When this works well
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Alternative history discussions work well in any discipline that studies and analyzes important events that have already occurred.
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Connections
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QM: 3.3, 5.2, 6.2
UDL: 7.2, 8.1, 3.1, 4.1, 6.3
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Instructions for Learners and Faculty
In this forum, we will explore a “What if” alternate history scenario for Early United States History 1900 - 1950.
Objectives
- Analyze an alternative history scenario from Early United States History 1900 - 1950.
- Present and defend opinions on the alternate history outcome.
Discussion Prompt
What if the United States had not used the atomic bomb on Japan? What would have been some of the probably immediate effects? How would our world be different today?
Initial Post Instructions
Produce a knowledgeable argument that clearly and convincingly answers the discussion question prompt. Include strong evidence and historical information to develop and logically support your argument.
Reply Instructions
Provide two alternative perspectives or counterclaims to refute the arguments of your classmates. Replies must include strong evidence and historical information to develop and logically support your alternative perspectives or counterclaims.
Grading Criteria
Your forum posts will be evaluated according to the criteria found in the following grading rubric. You will receive a score out of 16 possible points for your initial post and your two replies.
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Basic
(1 Point)
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Developing
(2 Points)
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Proficient
(3 Points)
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Advanced
(4 Points)
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Central Argument/Claim
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The central argument or claim is not clearly stated or does not answer the prompt
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The central argument or claim is partially developed or answers part of the prompt.
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A central argument clearly answers the prompt.
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A central, precise, and knowledgeable argument clearly and convincingly answers the prompt
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Evidence
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Evidence used to support the arguments are not relevant or inaccurate
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The arguments are supported by evidence, including information and quotations.
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Evidence, including information and quotations,
is explained to thoroughly develop and logically support the arguments.
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Evidence, including information and quotations,
is synthesized and explained to thoroughly develop and convincingly support the arguments.
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Historical Information/ Concepts
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Demonstrates significant confusion
about relevant historical information or concepts.
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Accurate and relevant historical information is included with only minor errors.
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Substantial historical knowledge or concepts accurately and logically informs and supports the argument with only minor errors.
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Substantial historical knowledge or concepts accurately and logically inform the argument
and are used to challenge sources or relevant arguments.
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Perspectives
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An alternate perspective or
a counterclaim is absent or not clearly related to the thesis.
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An alternate perspective or counterclaim
is included, but not clearly challenged nor integrated into the argument.
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An alternate perspective or counterclaim is
clearly distinguished from the argument and developed with evidence or reasons.
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An alternate perspective or counterclaim is thoroughly developed and refuted or used to sharpen the argument.
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Example
Discussion Thread
SUBJECT: No Bomb on August 6, 1954
If the U.S. did not drop the bomb on Japan, I think the war would have gone on much longer resulting in a greater loss of life on both sides. This was also the same time that Russia decided to join the Pacific Campaign. Between the U.S. effort and the Russians, Japan and the Japanese population would have been decimated.
With Japan gone, Russia and China would have moved into the Japanese islands. This would have impacted both the Korean and the Vietnam wars. Taiwan would have probably also been taken over.
This would have given Russia an advantage in the following years and communism would have spread more broadly across the world.
RE: No Bomb on August 6, 1954
I agree that there would have been a greater loss of life. However, as the Japanese were experimenting with chemical and biological weapons, I think they would have used those before completely giving up.
As Russia was the closest, they would have unleashed them on Russia, meaning that Russia would not be able to become a world superpower. We would not have had the cold war, and there would not be so much tension between the U.S. and Russia today.
References
Latif, A. P. (2019). Multiperspectivity through Alternative History in the Classroom (dissertation). ScholarWorks at UMass Boston, Boston, MA. Retrieved from https://edtechbooks.org/-caXp
Updated 12/1/2022