📚 Part 1: Understanding Public History

1. What is public history?

History taught only in universities

History presented to the public outside traditional academic contexts

History written by government officials

Ancient history from public records

2. Where might you encounter public history? (Check all that apply)

Museums and memorials

Historical films and documentaries

Social media posts about history

News articles about historical events

Historical fiction novels

3. Why does public history matter in society?

4. Complete the sentence: Public history can influence people's _____________ and _____________ about the past.

Public history can influence people's _____________ and _____________ about the past.

🎬 Part 2: Popular Culture and Historical Representation

5. Think about a historical film or TV show you've seen. How might it present history differently than a textbook?

6. What is the main difference between public history and academic history?

Public history is always more accurate

Academic history uses more detailed research and multiple sources

Public history is only for children

Academic history is easier to understand

7. How might social media influence people's understanding of historical events?

8. True or False: Popular culture can both educate and distort historical understanding.

True

False

9. List two questions you would ask to evaluate whether a historical source is reliable:

1. _________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________

10. Write one question you have about how conspiracy theories might use public history narratives:

11. Reflection: Why is it important to think carefully about where we get our history from?