An exploration of history and storytelling, this module proposes that you engage this little known conflict and find an angle from which you can approach the topic with your own writing and research. 

Texts|
The Making of Matewan, John Sayles
Thunder in the Mountains,  Lon Savage
Storming Heaven, Denis Giardina
available from Carriage House Textbooks

Schedule
Week 1
Introductions; why are you here?  Vision for the course and course projects.  Explanation of course as a writing course/seminar.  Selected music.  Overview of the Web syllabus site and key online resources.

Screening:  Friday at 2pm, room 303, required viewing of John Sayles' Matewan
Readings:  John Sayles' Thinking in Pictures; includes script of film.
Xeroxed or Web readings TBA
Forum:  Required postings.  Instructions on forum page.

Week 2
Discussion/exploration of Matewan; voice, accuracy, depictions of history, depictions of multiple truths.  Race, ethnicity, and the coal fields.  Life in a coal town.  Selected music and Web sites.

Readings:  Lon Savage's Thunder in the Mountains
Xerox of documents compiled by David Corbin.
Forum:  Required posting.  Instructions on forum page.

Week 3
Telling stories/histories.  Lon Savage's depiction of events in a "popular history." Discussion of history and historical documents from Corbin.  

Readings:  Denise Giardina's Storming Heaven, pp 1-149.
Forum:  Required postings. 
Project Proposal:  Volunteers will present proposals in class.

Week 4
Student proposals.  Discuss Giardina's novel.

Readings: TBA Web or Xerox.

Week 5
Student proposals.  Discuss Giardina's novel.

Attendance
We only meet once a week; attendance required.  Any absence may affect your final grade.  Two absences and you don't get credit for the course.

Evaluation
%60  Project  
%20  Online Participation
%20  Face to Face Participation 

(see products for more information on projects and participation)