Comparative History of Baseball

5-None

Introduces the history of baseball from its earliest evidence in the British Isles to its emergence as a modern sport in the United States during the nineteenth century and its subsequent spread to Cuba, Japan, and other parts of the world. Introduces the practice of history. It begins with questions about why history and historical comparison offer a useful way to understand baseball and why baseball offers unique insight into the societies that play it and their histories. As part of this study, this class will introduce the basics of historical method and suggest the value of taking play seriously as a historical subject. This course requires no prior knowledge or experience of baseball or its history.