For this writing assignment, you will reflect on the meaning of “history” generally, and specifically the meaning of the Pueblo Revolt to present-day New Mexicans. How can historians come up with such different interpretations of what happened in the past and what it means? Why did some of the participants in the film Surviving Columbus find this 300-year-old event significant for their lives today? In sum, what does “historical consciousness” mean, and why does it matter? The core of your response should be an analysis of the course readings. Nabokov, Deloria, Surviving Columbus, Kessel, Folsom, and the primary sources all have something to contribute to the conversation. You don’t have to address every single point or every single reading; organize your essay into 3 or 4 points, put them in separate paragraphs, and support each point with some evidence/examples and analysis/explanation. (On the other hand, don’t rely exclusively on Surviving Columbus; it might give me the mistaken perception that you didn’t do any of the reading.) Make sure you have an introduction and a conclusion, even if they are very brief.
