Ohio History

Spring 2009 Course Description

This course offers a broad survey of Ohio history from pre-history to the recent past. We begin with some questions: how did the people and the events of the past shape the Ohio that we see today? How did the population of Ohio grow and change and how did the diverse peoples of Ohio interact with each other? What has been the relationship between the experiences of Ohioans and wider developments in American history? How have ordinary Ohioans lived, worked, organized, come together, celebrated, and taken their leisure? How have artists, writers and others imagined and described their Ohio? You should also generate and explore new questions. We will analyze historical evidence and students will conduct original research projects.

The textbook for this course is Andrew Cayton, Ohio: the History of a People. Students are also expected to visit five museums and/or historic sites during the quarter. This course makes extensive use of digital resources and Web-based writing assignments. In class activities will include discussions, films, demonstrations related to student assignments, and collaborative work as well as lectures. This course relies on active student participation. You will share what you learn about Ohio history using a WordPress blog and multimedia. Since much of that learning will take place individually and/or in small groups, part of the class time will be given over to learning skills to research and present the past. You will also learn by reviewing, assisting and commenting on each other’s work. You should aim to produce meaningful, well-written content to share.

Course Objectives

• study the history of the Ohio from prehistory to the recent past with an emphasis on the social history of the people involved;
• introduce the work of historians as well as the skills and methods for historical research and writing;
• research and share your own Ohio history project;
• develop skills to collaborate, teach, and learn using new media.

I will use the marjoriemclellan.wordpress.com site as my blog for this course. Please contact me via email for a copy of the course outline.