The Buried Past:
Examining Pennsylvania History Through Primary Sources
TAH 601
TAH 601 examines Pennsylvania history, particularly focusing on local and regional issues, by
studying primary sources housed in various historical societies. The main focus will deal with
sources from the 19th and 20th centuries. This is a credit-bearing continuing education course and
is approved for ACT 48 credits.
Texts:
Randall M. Miller and William Pencak, eds. Pennsylvania: A History of the
Commonwealth
Research Methods books:
Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History (required)
Supplies: Each teacher must purchase a storage container that will serve as your “traveling
trunk.” You must also pay for any items you acquire or copy which become part of your
traveling trunk.
Course Objectives:
1.
To learn why history is important, how historians work, and how to apply this
knowledge to your own teaching experience
2.
To understand different historical interpretations of Pennsylvania history and be able
to incorporate those into your own teaching
3.
To appreciate oral and local history and to understand their place in the national
picture and use the information in your classes
4.
To improve your historical thinking
5.
To help you improve your analytical skills
6.
To help you develop a “traveling trunk” for use in your classrooms
7.
To engage in dialogue with classmates and professor(s) which will enhance your own
understanding of Pennsylvania history (sharing data/info to better facilitate your
teaching)
8.
To examine your comprehension of the material covered in class lectures, including
guest speakers, discussions, reading assignments, papers, “traveling trunk,” etc.
Course Outcomes:
Each student will have demonstrated:
1.
a basic understanding of the interpretations of Pennsylvania history
2.
knowledge of the importance of local archival materials to understanding the past
3.
the ability to identify appropriate materials for grade levels
4.
the ability to develop a “traveling trunk” with all its basic requirements
5.
the ability to write correct bibliographic citations and footnotes/endnotes
6.
the ability to write with correct punctuation and spelling
7.
basic research, writing, and analytical skills
8.
the ability to skillfully use the internet as a research tool but that you understand
the internet is the NOT the only (nor always the best) source of information
9.
an understanding of the role(s) that socio-economic and political backgrounds
play in the interpretation and writing of history
10.
the ability to express and support your own ideas through class discussions,
essays, instructional plans, field trips, tests, exams (if necessary), etc.
Methods of Assessment:
1.
2.
Exams. Pre-test and Post-test.
Group Research Assignment. Develop a Traveling Trunk appropriate to
the grade (s) you teach. You will be divided into research teams of 3-4 people
depending on the grade you teach. You will work in teams to develop an
appropriate topic(s) to focus on for the course. Each member of the team will
contribute to the trunk and its artifacts. This is a team project even though you
will each develop your trunk; trunks in any given team should be identical.
Groups will be based on the grade level you teach. Periodic reviews of your
“traveling trunk” will occur.
Items that should be included in the trunk include at a minimum:
A.
Journals and Diaries
B.
Letters
C.
Newspapers
D.
Documentaries and Film
E.
Census Records
F.
Photographs
G.
Government Documents
H.
Court Records
I.
Narratives
J.
Oral History
K.
Art and Literature
L.
Club Records
M.
Military Records
N.
Company Records
O.
Anything else you consider appropriate including
3-dimensional objects (replicas)
*Keep in mind that these are items that may be used in your instructional plans.
3.
Historical Readings List. Each teacher will develop an extensive reading list
for each item included in the trunk. Each reading identified must be described
explaining how you will use this in your course(s). Periodic reviews will occur
each week.
4.
Site Visit Reports. Each teacher will submit a one page (TYPED) summary of
after each visit to a museum or historic site. Summaries will answer the
following questions:
 Summarize what you learned
 Identify what you can use in your classes
 Explain how you will use what you learned
 NOTE: It is not satisfactory nor acceptable to say that “I learned nothing.”
5.
Final report on Oct. 23. Each group will give a brief presentation on the
traveling trunk.
6.
Field Trips to various historical societies and museums in northwestern
Pennsylvania. Teachers will use information gathered in their traveling trunks.
7.
Discussion is expected and required. If no discussion occurs, quizzes will be
given to “encourage” you to keep up with your work in this course.
8.
Laptops. On selected dates you will be required to bring your laptops to class.
Grading Percentages:
Pre-test
=15%
Post-test
=15%
Research Assignment =30%
Final Oral Report
=10%
Historical Readings
=15%
Site Visit Reports
=15%
100%
Grading Scale:
0-59 =F
60-67 =D 68-69 =D+
70-77 =C 78-79 =C+
80-87 =B 88-89 =B+
90-100=A
Course Outline:
Date
Day
Topic
Reading Assignment
8/28
T
Introduction:
Using Local History
Who Owns Local History?
Understanding the Past
Class Time
6-8:30
Technology Training (8:00-8:30)
Pretest for TAH 601 and Institutes
8/30
R
Transforming 19th Century Pennsylvania
Politics, Economics, and Culture
Race, Gender, Ethnicity
Immigration and Unionization
9/4
T
The Goodell Gardens and Homestead (Mr. Dana Atwood)
6-8:30
Edinboro Area Historical Society (Ms Nancy Harned)
Edinboro University Archives (Prof. David Obringer)
Edinboro University Oral History Studio (Dr. Joseph Laythe)
Teachers will be be divided into 4 groups and rotate from various sites,
spending 20 minutes at each site for a brief orientation
6-8:30
Sept. 4 Site Visit Rotation: Teachers will sign up for Teams 1, 2, 3, or 4 on Aug. 28.
6:00 p.m. Team 1 will begin at Goodell Gardens/Homestead
Team 2 will begin at the Edinboro Area Historical Society
Team 3 will begin at the Oral History Studio (HH116)
Team 4 will begin at the EUP Archives in the Library.
6:25 p.m. Teams must leave first site by 6:25
Team 1 and Team 2 will switch after 25 minutes at each site
Team 3 and Team 4 will switch after 25 minutes at each
6:35 p.m.
Team 1 at Edinboro Area Historical Society
Team 2 at Goodell
Team 3 at University Archives
Team 4 at Oral History Studio
7:00 p.m. Teams 1-2 will travel to campus; Teams 3-4 will travel to off-campus sites
7:10 p.m. Team 1 at University Archives in the Library
Team 2 at Oral History Studio in HH116
Team 3 at Goodell Gardens/Homestead
Team 4 at Edinboro Area Historical Society
7:40 p.m.
Team 1-2 will switch
Team 3-4 will switch
7:50 p.m. Team 1 at Oral History Studio
Team 2 at University Archives
Team 3 at Edinboro Area Historical Society
Team 4 at Oral History Studio
9/9
Su
“Sailing on the Brig Niagara: The Role of the Brig
in the War of 1812”
Guest lecturer: Capt. Walter Rybka
9-4
9/11
T
Working Sessions
6-8:30
BRING LAPTOPS TO CLASS
SUMMARIES DUE (Goodell, EAHS, Archives, OHS, and Brig)
9/18
T
Drakes Well
(meet at Drakes Well Museum)
5-9
9/22
Sa
Examining PA History: The Heinz History Center
(trip departs at 7:00 a.m. and returns after dinner)
10-5
9/25
T
Examining/Evaluating Local Sources
6-8:30
BRING LAPTOPS TO CLASS
SUMMARIES DUE (Drakes Well and Heinz)
10/2
T
Erie County Historical Society and Museums/Archives
Archivist Annita Andrick
5-9
10/4
R
Erie County Historical Society and Museums/Archives
Archivist Annita Andrick
5-9
10/9
T
Examining/Evaluating Local/Regional Sources
6-8:00
BRING LAPTOPS TO CLASS
SUMMARY DUE (ECHS)
10/16 T
Pennsylvania and War
6-8:00
BRING LAPTOPS TO CLASS
10/23 T
Synthesis: Evaluating Primary Sources for the Classroom
6-9:00
Group Reports
Post-test
All Final projects due
Note:
When working at the various archives and historical societies, you should look for the following
types of Local, Regional and State sources:
Your main task is to identify, evaluate, and determine which materials are appropriate for your
classes.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
Journals and Diaries
Letters
Newspapers
Documentaries and Film
Census Records
Photographs
Government Documents
Court Records
Narratives
Oral History
Art and Literature
Club Records
Military Records
Company Records
“I reserve the right to make any changes I deem necessary in this
course.” Dr. Jerra Jenrette