History
Spring 2013
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Stories Behind the Changes of Fashion in China
Day: 8 Mondays Time: 1:30-3 p.m. Dates: 3/4-4/29 (no class on 4/15) Location: UMass Boston, McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 204 Facilitator: Shixian Sheng Description: Through Chinese imperial dynasties, dress regulation had always been strictly enforced. The dress style changed with new rulers, for they believed that “Under the Yellow Emperor and Emperors Yao and Shun, when all were clothed properly, all under heaven was good and ruled in accordance with celestial and earthy forces.” Let’s listen to the historical stories told by clothing and decoration of the last century. Note: This course is co-sponsored by the Confucius Institute at UMass Boston.
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The Power of Place in Modern America
Day: 6 Tuesdays Time: 10-11:30 a.m. Dates: 3/5-4/16 (no class on 3/19) Location: UMass Boston, McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 204 Facilitator: Meagan Ratini Description: What is it about historic places that cause us to assign them importance, and how does this play out in the real world? This course will explore the idea of "the historic" in America by looking at the present-day reality of these places in terms of the concepts, organizations, laws, businesses, and people who support and preserve them. We will discuss historic sites such as museums and parks as well as other kinds of historic resources, including archaeological sites, with an eye towards understanding their common appeal.
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Native American History, 1775-2000 (offered at Hingham Public Library)
Day: 6 Wednesdays Time: 10-11:30 a.m. (NOTE: 9:30-11 a.m. on 4/3 & 4/10) Dates: 3/13-4/24 (no class 4/17) (NOTE: This is a new schedule. The schedule was changed after Spring catalog was printed.) Location: Hingham Public Library, Whiton Room Facilitator: Jon Rice Description: This course will focus on the history of Indian relations, Indian law, and the Native Americans response to the Indian law. We’ll cover the past more than two centuries, from the time of the American Revolutionary War up through our recent turn of the millennium, as we explore the health, the culture and the political environment of Native Americans. In addition to lecture and discussion, our resources will include films and handouts.
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The Human Face of the Great War, 1914-1918 (offered at Hingham Public Library)
Day: Section 1: 8 Wednesdays, Section 2: 8 Thursdays Time: Both Sections: 1:15-2:45 p.m. Dates: Section 1: 3/13-5/1, Section 2: 3/14-5/2 Location: Hingham Public Library, Whiton Room Facilitator: Daniel Leclerc Description: The unprecedented and shocking human cost of World War I staggered all involved, raised doubts about dominant military strategy and had a deep impact on culture, art and literature. The shock wave of this massive loss of life and collateral suffering still resonates to this day. This course discusses life in the trenches, shell shock, poetry, art and the impact of devastating sorrow and grief then and now, and will trace the battlefield experience of an individual soldier in the 26th Division (Yankee Division).
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The History of Slavery in Massachusetts
Day: 5 Tuesdays Time: 1:15-2:45 p.m. Dates: 3/19-4/16 Location: UMass Boston, McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 204 Facilitator: Brian Barker Description: While often thought of as the "peculiar institution" of the South, slavery was also an integral part of everyday life in Northern Sates and especially Massachusetts. This course will examine the beginnings of slavery in Massachusetts during the 17th Century until its abolishment in 1781 as part of the infamous Quock Walker case.
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King Leopold’s Ghost: Colonialism and the Tragedy of the Congo (VIDEO CONFERENCE)
Day: 6 Tuesdays Time: 1-2:30 p.m. Dates: 4/16-5/21 Location: UMass Boston, Healey Library, Lower Level, Presentation Room 3; and Cordage Park, Plymouth & Hingham Public Library via video conference Facilitator: Michael Keating Description: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, known recently as Zaire and now often as simply as the Congo, is by all accounts one of the most beautiful places on earth and also one of the most tragic. Encompassing a land mass the size of Western Europe the Congo is the source of many of earth’s riches, including coltan which is an essential element in the electronics that dominate our lives. It is also site of many of the world’s most destructive conflicts and gruesome atrocities. This course will ask the question how a country of such potential could fall so deeply into chaos. It will examine the historical roots by focusing on the rule of the Congo by King Leopold of Belgium who, in the 19th century, turned this vast territory into his personal garden of evil. We will also look at the subject, ‘Congo and the Imagination’, by reading Joseph Conrad’s classic, Heart of Darkness.
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Exploring the Boston Harbor Islands, On Land, Sea, and the Islands, Part 1
Day: 7 Tuesdays Time: Times vary; see specific dates for times. Dates: 4/23 - 6/11 (No class on 6/4) 4/23 10:00-11:30 a.m.--an introductory class at UMass Boston (specific room will be announced); 4/30, 10:00-noon--an introductory harbor Islands boat tour; 5/7 10:00-11:30 a.m.--a class presentation by Sally Snowman, U.S.C.G. lighthouse keeper of Boston Light on Little Brewster Island; 5/14, 10:00-1:00 p.m.--a boat trip to Spectacle Island; 5/21, 10:00-1:00 p.m.--a boat trip to Thompson Island; 5/28, , 10:00-12:00 tour of Fort Independence on Castle Island; no class on 6/4; 6/11, 9:00-2:00 p.m.-- bus to Deer Island to tour MWRA Wastewater Treatment Facility. Location: All boat trips originate at Fox Point Dock (between McCormack and Wheatley buildings facing the water). The bus trip departs from in front of the Campus Center, UMass Boston. We begin boarding at 8:45 a.m. and leave 9:00 a.m. sharp! Facilitator: Suzanne Gall Marsh Description: The Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area is a stone's throw from UMass Boston. The beauty of the islands surrounds the campus and beckons discovery. Each of the park's 34 islands is an integral part of New England's pre-history, history, present, and future. Archaeologists have established that they were used or inhabited by humans at least 8,000 years ago. Because of their rich heritage and combination of natural, cultural, and historical resources, they are designated as a National Park Area by Congress, and as an Archaeological District on the National Register of Historic Places. We will travel on the UMass Boston vessel M/V Columbia Point, an all-weather, 110-passenger, 64-foot U.S. Coast Guard certified vessel. To defray charter costs, upon registration, participants are required to pay $100 for three boat trips and one bus trip. Plan to bring a picnic lunch and water for all trips. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. Allow plenty of time for parking if you drive to the UMass Campus. Note: This course is not appropriate for people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Participants should be able to board a boat and walk unassisted on uneven ground—rugged paths and trails.
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Exploring the Boston Harbor Islands, Part 2 (offered at Hingham Public Library)
Day: 5 Tuesdays Time: 11-12:30 p.m. for 6/18 introductory class, and 10 a.m. -2 p.m. for 4 boat trips Dates: 6/18-7/16 Location: Hingham Public Library for the introductory class; boats trips from Hingham Shipyard. Facilitator: Suzanne Gall Marsh Description: We will travel to different islands than in the Part I course. All boat trips leave from the Hingham Shipyard off Route 3A in Hingham. These will be four hour trips to allow for longer travel time to each island and two hours walking/exploring the islands. There will be an introductory overview (6/18) at the Hingham Public Library. We will visit Grape Island (6/25), Peddocks Island (7/2), Bumpkin Island (7/9), and Lovells Island (7/16). Upon registration participants are required to pay $60.00 for the four boat trips. We are travelling on the Park’s inter island shuttle. Bring lunch and water for all trips. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. Our trips happen rain or shine. You do not have to take Part I prior to taking Part II. Limited to 35 participants. Note: This course is not appropriate for people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Participants should be able to board a boat and walk unassisted on uneven ground—rugged paths and trails.
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Discovering National Parks by T and Boats (Section 1)
Day: 5 Thursdays and 1 Friday Time: 10:00-11:30 a.m. for the first class Dates: 5/9- 6/6, & 6/21 Location: UMass Boston, Wheatley Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 125 for introductory class. Facilitator: Suzanne Gall Marsh Description: There are National Parks and Historic Sites that are accessible on the MBTA system and by boats. Learn how easy it is to get to them on public transportation. Participants will pay standard MBTA fares unless they have a MBTA Senior TAP pass. Upon registration, participants are required to pay $60.00 for the two boat trips, the Salem ferry and Boston Light Tour. The first session is a classroom meeting (Thursday, May 9, 10-11:30 a.m.) with an overview of the National Parks of New England. Five field trips will be approximately four hours each. The parks we will visit are (1) Boston National Historical Park in the Charlestown Navy Yard including the U.S.S. Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. Boat shuttle (Long Wharf-Navy Yard) is $3.00 one way. (2) Boston African American National Historic Site including the newly opened African Meeting House on Beacon Hill and the Black Heritage Trail. (3) Longfellow House—Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site in Cambridge. (4) Salem Maritime National Historic Site; boat transportation on the Salem Ferry. (5) Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area; Boston Light Tour boat ride to the oldest lighthouse site in the country. Climb the tower if you like. The trip will be on Friday, June 21st departing at 9:30 a.m. from the Park Visitor Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston; return to the downtown dock (next to the N.E. Aquarium) at 1:00 p.m. Note: This course is not appropriate for people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Participants should be able to board a boat, take public transportation, and walk unassisted.
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Discovering National Parks by T and Boat (Section 2)
Day: 5 Wednesdays and 1 Friday Time: 10:00-11:30 a.m. for the first class Dates: 5/8-6/12 plus 1 Friday class on 6/21 (no class 5/22) Location: UMass Boston, McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 201 (former cafeteria) for introductory class. Facilitator: Suzanne Gall Marsh Description: There are National Parks and Historic Sites that are accessible on the MBTA system and by boats. Learn how easy it is to get to them on public transportation. Participants will pay standard MBTA fares unless they have a MBTA Senior TAP pass. Upon registration, participants are required to pay $60.00 for the two boat trips, the Salem ferry and Boston Light Tour. The first session is a classroom meeting (Wednesday, May 8, 10-11:30 a.m.) with an overview of the National Parks of New England. Five field trips will be approximately four hours each. The parks we will visit are (1) Boston National Historical Park in the Charlestown Navy Yard including the U.S.S. Constitution and Bunker Hill Monument. Boat shuttle (Long Wharf-Navy Yard) is $3.00 one way. (2) Boston African American National Historic Site including the newly opened African Meeting House on Beacon Hill and the Black Heritage Trail. (3) Longfellow House—Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site in Cambridge. (4) Salem Maritime National Historic Site; boat transportation on the Salem Ferry. (5) Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area; Boston Light Tour boat ride to the oldest lighthouse site in the country. Climb the tower if you like. The trip will be on Friday, June 21st departing at 9:30 a.m. from the Park Visitor Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston; return to the downtown dock (next to the N.E. Aquarium) at 1:00 p.m. Note: This course is not appropriate for people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Participants should be able to board a boat, take public transportation, and walk unassisted.
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Day: Time: Dates: Location: Facilitator: Phyllis Jennings Description: This is the course for people who want to learn about Boston’s history. The course will have two classroom sessions highlighting the Freedom Trail and historic Boston. Following each session, the class will take a guided Freedom Trail walk (half of the trail each session) with the instructors. The goal of this course is to make Boston’s history come alive. Participation will be fostered by two days of walking the Freedom Trail and encouragement of class participation in sharing knowledge and personal experiences of Boston highlights.
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Pennsylvania’s “Molly Maguires”: Prosecution or Witch Hunt?
Day: 5 Mondays Time: 1:15-2:45 p.m. Dates: 4/29-6/3 (no class on 5/27) Location: UMass Boston, McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 201 (former cafeteria) Facilitator: Anne Flaherty Description: During the 1870s, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania charged dozens of so-called “Molly Maguires” with capital crimes. Twenty-one Irish Catholic men died on gallows in five counties. Many died protesting their innocence. Historians still debate this history. The siren call of that irresistible label, “Molly Maguire,” has kept this study rooted in reports of Pinkerton operative James McParlan. History, in the form of newspaper accounts, books, plays, novels, and a film starring Sean Connery and Richard Harris, has flowed from one source—and one dangerously loaded ethnic slur. This course asks students to question the credibility of McParlan’s testimony.
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Building Boston’s Back Bay: The Glory Years of the 1800s (Section1)
Day: 3 Mondays Time: 1:15-3:15 p.m. Dates: 5/6-5/20 (first class is at UMass Boston) Location: First session is classroom at UMass Boston, McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 204. The remaining two sessions are field trips in Boston. Facilitator: Harvey B. Cohen Description: Boston in the 19th century was very different from the town it was in the 18th century. Boston went from a leading merchant town to a city whose leaders built the New England textile industry. The Back Bay was a planned community to keep them and their wealth in Boston. The wealth came from not only from the textile mills, but the supporting banking, insurance, and railroad industries. The course describes how the Back Bay was built and some of the key design elements and significant public buildings. We will view the homes of Boston’s influential people and discuss their legacies. We will start with a classroom session followed by two days of walking through parts of the Back Bay. Limited to 20 people.
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Building Boston’s Back Bay: The Glory Years of the 1800s (Section 2)
Day: 3 Fridays Time: 1:15-3:15 p.m. Dates: 5/3-5/17 (first class is at UMass Boston) Location: First session is classroom at UMass Boston, McCormack Hall, 3rd Floor, Room 204. The remaining two sessions are field trips in Boston. Facilitator: Harvey B. Cohen Description: Boston in the 19th century was very different from the town it was in the 18th century. Boston went from a leading merchant town to a city whose leaders built the New England textile industry. The Back Bay was a planned community to keep them and their wealth in Boston. The wealth came from not only from the textile mills, but the supporting banking, insurance, and railroad industries. The course describes how the Back Bay was built and some of the key design elements and significant public buildings. We will view the homes of Boston’s influential people and discuss their legacies. We will start with a classroom session followed by two days of walking through parts of the Back Bay. Limited to 20 people.
