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Uncommon Sense

Discoverability, Edwardian Style

Today, Karin Wulf kicks off a new feature on the Omohundro Institute’s Uncommon Sense blog. #vastEAsources will feature early American historians talking about the place of archival work in their own research and about the little-used or under-publicized archives they love. If you are working with an archive you would like to discuss with the wider EA community then consider… Read More

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The “offal” difficulties of writing readable economic history

WMQ author (January 2016) Emma Hart looks at the difficulty of writing economic history. (She also kicks it off with a pretty good pun. How often does “offal” get to feature in jokes of any kind?) After two decades in the business, I realize that my historical interests are not the most popular preoccupations, even among specialists. I’m fascinated by… Read More

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Ginseng's stimulating effect

In today’s post, WMQ (January 2016) author Christopher Parsons reflects on how the editorial process he went through with the article pushed him to reframe his understanding of the key players in the story—including the leafy one. by Christopher Parsons I know more about ginseng than I ever thought that I would, and I suspect that many of my friends and family… Read More

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#VastEarlyAmerica and Origins Stories: WMQ 1:1

Last month I wrote about the extraordinary range of subjects, chronologies and geographies encompassed in the field of early American scholarship. As the OI’s support for and investment in interdisciplinary work, and gatherings such as last year’s joint annual conference with the Society of Early Americanists suggest, we should add methods and theoretical approaches to… Read More

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Summer internships for undergraduates

Today's post is courtesy of Jordan Smith (Georgetown University), OI Regional Editor for The List. If you are interested in helping your undergraduates find an internship this summer then this is key reading. Read More

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Reviving Revolution

Jordan Taylor, Ph.D. student at Indiana University and Regional Editor of the OI Map, has this report from the recent AHA conference. Now, he says, is a great time to be studying revolution. Find out why.  Read More

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Doing History

An OI-sponsored monthly series on Liz Covart’s Ben Franklin’s World It's here! The introductory prequel to "Doing History," a series of podcasts about how historians work and think created by Liz Covart for her popular show Ben Franklin's World, is now available for download through your favorite podcast provider or for streaming via the Ben Franklin's World site or the Omohundro's own "Doing History" page. Karin Wulf discusses the OI's exciting new venture in today's post. Read More

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Getting Lost

Is the WMQ really in danger of “losing its way” as Gordon Wood says it is? Josh Piker looks at just what we mean when we talk about #VastEarlyAmerica and responds to that charge. Karin’s yearlong tour through #VastEarlyAmerica will be fascinating to follow, and I am very much looking forward to the conversations that ensue.  With those dialogues and debates… Read More

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Report from Sueanna Smith, Lapidus Fellow

Today’s post comes from Sueanna Smith, graduate student at the University of South Carolina, who used funds she received as a Lapidus-OIEAHC Fellow to further her dissertation research. There is still time to apply for the next application round. Applications will be accepted through midnight, Friday, January 15.  The Lapidus-OIEAHC Fellowship supported my doctoral research by funding… Read More

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For 2016, Appreciating #VastEarlyAmerica

Karin Wulf begins 2016 with a call to look at and look for #VastEarlyAmerica. Join in the search! Read More

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Who Lives, Who Dies, and Who Tells Your Story

ICYMI, we direct your attention to Scholarly Kitchen Chef and OI Director Karin Wulf ’s reflection on Hamilton, the lyrics that ask one of the fundamental questions facing historians, and the real work of writing history in today's Scholarly Kitchen. Read More

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Quarterly Math with Josh Piker

ICYMI: In the October 2015 issue of Uncommon Sense, Josh Piker brought us some special math. How does 122 + 462 + 462 = 18? Find out how the WMQ answers that question. My daughter, Naima, is twelve and I can no longer help her with her math homework. Yes, she’s that good at the subject; and, yes, I’m… Read More

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