"God walks the land, but the devil reigns in the coal fields of West Virginia."  So begins a 1913 pamphlet entitled Constitutional Government Overthrown in West Virginia, whose look inspired the  design of this Web site.

This module examines the West Virginia coal mine wars, chiefly the events leading up to and following the conflict known as the "Matewan Massacre."  We will view John Sayles' fictional treatment of this event in the film Matewan and will read his original script and account of making the film.   Other texts include trial transcripts, historical accounts, fiction, music, and documentary about the coal wars and the events leading up to the Matewan incident, the broad daylight murders of Sid Hatfield on the steps of the Mingo County Courthouse, and the Battle of Blair Mountain

Not so much a course about labor history, this module is an examination of storytelling.  We will examine, for instance, decisions Sayles makes as a writer and filmmaker in his attempt to tell a story whose written accounts are often sharply divided along pro-- and anti-- union lines. 

Students will be expected to read and participate in weekly in-class and online discussions.   Course participants must propose and  complete a final scholarly or creative project relating to the module or issues raised in examination of texts or in discussion.

Participants are required to screen Matewan on Friday afternoon of the first week from 2-4:30 in addition to our regular class meeting.   Prerequisite: English 200.

For more information contact mkeller@vcu.edu
http://saturn.vcu.edu/~mkeller