Archive for August, 2013

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Spotlight: Angela Ash, Owensboro CTC

In Spotlight on August 27, 2013 by Randolph Hollingsworth Tagged: , , , , ,

Angela Ash, OCTC

Angela Ash, OCTC

Keeping the focus on our KATH Member-in-the-Spotlight, this time we present 2012-13 KATH Board Member, Angela Ash, who represents Kentucky Community & Technical Colleges. (See past KATH Spotlight articles by clicking here.)

Current school and alma mater/s:  Assistant Professor of History at Owensboro Community and Technical College; MA 2005 University of Louisville; BA 2003 Brescia University; AA Owensboro Community College

Fields of interest: English Reformation, French Revolution, 19th Century Europe, World War I, Jewish History, Military History.

When did you first develop an interest in history? I remember as a child, my mother bringing home books on the Holocaust and World War II from her bookstore, and my father’s deep interest in the American Civil War also made a lasting impression.  I carried this with me through high school, where my favorite courses were World Civilizations and American History, in the US Navy, where our RDC’s would quiz us on American Naval History, and then in college, where I had amazing History professors like Dr. Marc Maltby for American History at Owensboro Community College, and Dr. Frances Brown for European History at Brescia University.  I knew then, as a college student, that I wanted to devote my life to the study of history, and emulate my professors to the best of my ability with the hopes of connecting with students in the same way.

How have your interests changed since graduate school? In graduate school, my focus was researching the dimensions of the English Reformation, particularly the dissolution of monasteries and the overall impact.  However, after a few years of teaching, reading and researching independently, I have transferred that same passion to military and diplomatic history; 19th century Europe and World War I have been my objects of study for the past few years.  I also have spent much of the time since graduate school improving my teaching – finding ways to make history relevant and exciting to students.

What projects are you working on currently? My current projects include preparing a Constitution Day presentation for my campus on the European roots of the American system of government, participation in a panel discussion and local documentary on the European front in World War II sponsored by the Daviess County Public Library, and recruiting students to sign up for a 2014 summer study course I plan to teach with a colleague, involving a trip to the Czech Republic, Austria, and Poland.

Is there an article, book, movie, blog, etc., that you could recommend to fellow KATH members?  One of my favorite books is a classic – Niall Ferguson’s The Pity of War, and my favorite documentary is the PBS masterpiece “The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century.”

What do you value most about the history profession? I value the time I get to spend with the students, and the opportunity I have to help them understand the human story and how it relates to them.  To me, it is a huge responsibility, and every class session is a chance to make the past matter in a culture where what happened “before me” is not necessarily valued.

Other than history, what are you passionate about? My eight year old daughter Gracie tops that list, but I also love to travel when possible, watch old films, study languages (when I can), and listen to music, though my taste is quite eclectic.

Any final thoughts?  I have a favorite quote from Plato that I sometimes share with students – “Only the dead have seen the end of war,” which is rather grim, but drives home an important point about past and present conflict.

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Articles

We Have a Winner!

In Alerts,KATH Awards on August 22, 2013 by Randolph Hollingsworth Tagged: , , ,

excited crowd sceneWith the roars of an excited crowd in the background, we are proud to announce that we have a winner of the 2013 Thomas D. Clark Undergraduate Writing Award!

Joseph B. Brown, an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky, wrote “‘Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?’:  Politics of the Antebellum Baptist Schism in Kentucky” for his HIS499 project for Dr. Joanne Melish in the spring semester of 2013.

The paper was selected in a blind review by two judges who volunteered for the KATH Clark Award Committee.  Here are some of their comments on Mr. Brown’s work.

“The author offers a keen assessment of the relationship between religion and politics in the early 19th century, and postulates that two distinct denominations of the Baptist faith, Antimissionary and Missionary, were diametrically opposed both religiously and politically.  The assertion here is that the way these faithful adherents interpreted the Bible was also reflected in the way they interpreted the Constitution. For example, the case is presented that Antimissionary Baptists preferred a strict constructionists approach to the New Testament and the Constitution, nurturing grave concern for strong institutions within the church and the U.S. government.  Kentucky is given special consideration, and evidence is presented that in certain counties where Antimissionary Baptists dominated, Democrats were voted into office, and by the same token, Missionary  Baptists predominately voted Whig. Adding to the relevance of this discussion was the consideration of modern religious movements and their relationship to constitutional interpretation, the author noted that today’s fundamentalist Christians are also committed to a strict interpretation of the Constitution, thus indicating that religious beliefs continue to influence policy positions and attitudes toward government, just as they did in the 19th century.  Well done!”
 
“The paper is an excellent effort by an undergraduate, it shows hard work, originality, and it handled a complex problem very well. Although it sheds light on an important aspect of Kentucky and the nation’s past, the paper brings forward the questions of the past and demonstrates how they are still relevant in the present. The data contained within the Appendixes are welcomed and add much to the paper. The list of works cited show both secondary and primary sources.  There is a good opening to the paper, it presents the problem, while the rest of the paper relates the final disposition of the problem (the schism in the Baptist Church). The Epilogue brings the story to the present. The author writes in an interesting and engaging style, which will hold most readers attention. … It is interesting, well written, shows originality of thought, and the ability handle a difficult topic. The errors found are for the most part minor, showing lack of experience and typical of ones made by undergraduates. I have no reservations of recommending this paper for highest honors.”

When informed yesterday of his award and invitation to attend the upcoming KATH Annual Meeting on September 28th, Mr. Brown replied, “I am honored to receive this award and I am ecstatic about the wonderfully positive feedback my work has received from the judges.” He agreed that KATH could publish his paper on our website for future competitors to see the quality of work done.  He went on to say, “It is sincerely an honor for my paper to be recognized by such an esteemed and venerable body of scholars.”

With such gracious civility as well as excellent writing and research skills, Mr. Brown’s prospects loom large.  We are sure that all of Kentucky’s history educators are cheering for this young scholar!

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Save-the-Date Flyer

Save-the-Date Flyer – click here to download

Please post and forward on this “Save the Date” flyer for KATH Annual Meeting, September 28th, at the BCTC Leestown Campus in Lexington.

We’re excited about our upcoming KATH Annual Meeting (now 38 years and counting!) featuring the wonderful new research by Dr. Amy Murrell Taylor on the Civil War and its aftermath. The breakout sessions will allow for all kinds of history to be explored: from digital humanities to fine arts, from roleplaying and retention of at-risk students to statewide standards. Awards will be presented to the best of Kentucky’s secondary, undergraduate and graduate students for their work in writing history research papers. The day will be, as always with KATH’s volunteer board from across the various sectors, eclectic and collaborative in nature. See details at KATH Annual Meeting webpage.

Please encourage your colleagues and students to go to this conference by posting the flyer or sending it via email.

Posted August 21, 2013 by Randolph Hollingsworth

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Articles

Spotlight: Pattie Dillon, KATH President-Elect

In Spotlight on August 15, 2013 by Randolph Hollingsworth Tagged: , , , , , ,

spotlightModeling our spotlight this time on the new AHA blog’s “Member Spotlight” features, we thought we’d ask questions of our KATH Member-in-the-Spotlight this time. (See past KATH Spotlight articles by clicking here.)

Pattie Dillon

Dr. Pattie Dillon at Rivers Institute workshop on “Picturing America”

Today’s KATH Spotlight focuses on our current KATH President-Elect, Dr. Patricia Dillon. Dr. Dillon is Associate Professor of History at Spalding University and is currently serving as the Interim Chair of the School of Liberal Studies.

Current school and alma maters: faculty member at Spalding University since 2003; PhD, Mississippi State University; MA, University of Central Florida;  BA, University of Florida

Fields of interest: Civil War and Reconstruction; Jim Crow era; 1960s America; gender in American history; oral history.

When did you first develop an interest in history? As an undergraduate sociology major, my interest in history did not really develop until I started graduate school (where I planned on majoring in education) and enrolled in a Western History class with Dr. Shirley Leckie. Her ability to breathe life into historical figures, to enliven the past and illustrate how historical events shape the present ignited my passion for historical research and teaching.

How have your interests changed since graduate school? While I still treasure spending solitary time in archives, losing myself in the past researching letters, diaries, and other primary sources, since graduate school I’ve focused more on exploring the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL) and Interdisciplinary studies. SOTL research has improved my pedagogy and connection to my students, helping me to ignite their passion for history, while Interdisciplinary studies has enhanced my ability to weave together past and present by exploring historical events through myriad disciplinary lenses.

What projects are you working on currently? With my colleagues in the School of Liberal Studies at Spalding, I continue to explore interdisciplinary teaching and research methods. I also hope to start an oral history project in the  next few years, working with the homeless population in Louisville’s downtown area.

book coverIs there an article, book, movie, blog, etc., that you could recommend to fellow KATH members? I recommend Helen Fox’s revised edition, “When Race Breaks Out”: Conversations about Race and Racism in College Classrooms. With its insightful historical and contemporary analysis of racial issues, coupled with concrete classroom examples, I’ve relied on this text numerous times as I’ve prepared lectures and navigated important, yet oftentimes difficult, classroom discussions.

What do you value most about the history profession? I value history as the thread that weaves the fabric of our collective consciousness. It helps us to explore our humanity and interconnectedness.

Other than history, what are you passionate about? Animal rescue. I believe the way a community cares for neglected and abandoned animals influences how they care for each other.

 

 

 

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