Fragmented selves: Introducing students to archival research and historical representations

This multi-part activity introduces students to archival research and the questions of historical representations, “accuracy,” and social media. Consisting of the creation of a personal archive (either in the form of one of their social media profiles or a curated collection of photos) and two short papers, this unit-long activity acts as an effective avenue to explore complex historiographical topics and to develop critical thinking and analysis skills. Variations of this activity would be well-suited for courses in rhetoric, media studies, cultural studies, or broader research methods courses.