The last point I will suggest here is that, especially for introductory courses, if we cannot discuss an article or chapter in class with the students it should not be assigned. To remind ourselves of this, we should all ask a colleague in a field of history we have not studied to provide a primary source, or even an analytical article out of context, for us to analyze. For one thing, it does not necessarily appear to be very important or worthwhile at first glance. My point in making these comments is to join with Prof. Standen is sharing some self-reflections. I think Prof. Standen might be over critical of her course.
Students often drop a course for a variety of reasons.
It was self-critical and honest, and it is wonderful to see that. Too much of the time, when we see acounts of courses taught, the instructors tone down the difficulties that they encountered and the problems with the course. It tends to be at a relatively high level of difficulty to begin with. I have used the Schirokauer book. Found it heavy going for students and would not use it again except as background reading.