This course teaches stewardship and preservation of local cultural resources; develops applied skills in historical analysis such as archival research, artifact interpretation and oral history interview techniques; enables students to share research findings with the community; and encourages community service and active citizenship. Local objects, primary sources, architectural remains, landscapes and citizens are explored. Publications from the Prince William Historic Commission will be available, as well as opportunities to interact with the county government's and citizen groups' preservation and education efforts. Topics include: regional prehistory to native contact with Europeans; colonial times through the 1750s; early agricultural, industrial and commercial developments; the Revolutionary War's effects; the diverse antebellum population; the Civil War and the impact of Reconstruction on the area; debate over formation of magisterial districts and the shifts in the location of the county seat; the county at the turn of the century, World War 1, Quantico and World War 2; and desegregation of local schools.
Prerequisites
None