Crash Course World History

[nerdfighter13]

I love them. They recently started Crash Course US History.

 

[JohannaK]

Oh yes, that's the one I want to watch. Excuse me, I must go watch it!

 

[nerdfighter13]

While we're on the topic, his brother Hank is starting Crash Course Chemistry soon!

 

[Zack]

I love them. They recently started Crash Course US History.

Here's your crash course in US history:

Spoiler :

U S A #1

 

[_random_]

BACK TO BACK WORLD WAR CHAMPIONS HELL YEAH!

 

[CELTICEMPIRE]

I have watched several crash course to world history videos as part of AP European History class.

 

[Gen.Mannerheim]

I have watched several crash course to world history videos as part of AP European History class.

And that makes me sad...

 

[_random_]

I could see it as a useful way to get a summary or refresher for an introductory history class.

I'm more sad that AP European history starts at the Renaissance.

 

[sophie]

So has anybody seen the Youtube show, Crash Course: World History? Its basically an English major doing a web series on History I guess intended for High School and Freshmen students. They claim its written by John Green's (the host) High School Teacher, not exactly reassuring imo, but 95% of what I've seen is stuff you could basically get off Wikipedia. The host also puts a huge amount of personal interpretation in the show and passes it off as fact or widely accepted academic ideas.

What are cfc's thoughts on the series?

I'm aware of it, as it has been recommended by minutephysics and CGPGrey, which I watch a lot, but I consciously choose not to watch it. I'm sure the two shows I watch have exactly the same problems I would imagine Crash Course has. While I'm willing to forgive Grey and physics because in most cases I don't really know enough to quibble on the minutiae of their content (I do quibble on a lot of Grey's content, granted), I know for a fact that won't be the case with Crash Course so I try to stay away from it.

 

[Tee Kay]

I watched it. Decently entertaining, even though I disagree with him and/or found a mistake at least once in every episode.

I think one of his problems is their self imposed restriction not to go over 12 minutes each episode. That is a horrible decision because 1, you have to leave out important info that your target audience, high schoolers and freshmen, need and 2, you will wind up saying theories and personal opinions that you can't properly explain thus miss informing people. Expanding the show to 15-20 would give a little more breathing room.

Indeed. Even just three extra minutes would be adequate.

Also for all their hating of "Euro-centric World History" and using BCE &CE (which are some of the silliest things in modern history) the show is incredibly Euro-Centric. You can argue that they have too because of the structure of modern grade school education, but constantly bringing it up yet never actually changing it makes you look pretentious.

I came in expecting egregious Eurocentrism, so after watching it I think the show has a decent geographic spread; I was surprised for example that the Dutch or Portuguese, for instance, or the Reformation or the Napoleonic Wars didn't get more mention.

 

[Angst]

Just watched it because of this thread. I'm not very well-versed in history - have a slight overview with bits and pieces in my head from all over the place - but I think this will kinda serve to help me arrange it chronologically at least.

also MisterCooper #1

 

[Dachs]

I can't make it through more than thirty seconds of any given episode without closing the tab in disgust.

 

[_random_]

What specifically disgusts you?

 

[Dachs]

depending on the episode:

misinformation
irritatingly superior style of discussion
infantile "jokes"
annoyingly cutesy graphics
the "please punch me in the face" vibe that the presenter gives off

 

[Quackers]

the "please punch me in the face" vibe that the presenter gives off

Welcome to youtube

 

[Zack]

I wish he talked more about history, and less about irrelevant gimmicks and jokes.

 

[Tee Kay]

It's popular history, whatdyawant

 

[Gen.Mannerheim]

I hate to sound "elitist" but it really irks me that he a guy who doesn't have a history degree, or even a minor for that matter, is doing a history series and keeps calling himself a historian. He often misquotes authors, some of whom I've had to read, and for someone who is supposed to be giving you a "crash course" he get off topic way too much for his short time frame. Personally the worst example to me is their American Revolution episode which is his trying to look like an intellectual and giving info that doesn't help the target audience at all.

I can't make it through more than thirty seconds of any given episode without closing the tab in disgust.

you're welcome!

 

[Quackers]

It's popular history, whatdyawant

I'm not 14, I don't need gimmicky jokes and stupid grinning to make me pay attention or watch the entire video. I'm a miserable man and I want dry, monotonal accurate information.

 

[Tee Kay]

Though granted 14-year-olds (or at least high schoolers) are the main target audience of this series.