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AMST 394 & AMST 394L
Overview of American Studies 394 and 394L
Fall 2009
Welcome to American Studies 394 and 394L
Initially offered as a Brandes Honors Course on "The Economic Development of the University" in 1997 by Professor Willis, this team-taught course has become an exciting opportunity for undergraduates to learn about the role of higher education in the United States through the experiences of leading practitioners in the field and via extensive field study. The course also provides opportunities for plenary speakers to articulate for University archives their reflections on the role of the University across a broad range of topics and institutions.
Core lectures on higher education and UNC are the focus of the plenary sessions, with guest lectures from key participants in past and current University events. All students participate jointly in the Monday plenary sessions as well as one of the three Wednesday seminar offerings taught by distinguished leaders with expertise in the current fields of inquiry. In the Fall of 2009, the Wednesday Seminar Series are: The University and the Community with Professor Jonathan Howes, The Engaged University with Lynn Blanchard, and Innovation and Change in Higher Education with Professor Courtney Thornton.
American Studies 394L is an optional field lab on Fridays led by Professor Rachel Willis that focuses on specific aspects of higher education using a field-inquiry method.
Monday Plenary Sessions of the Course
| Guest Speaker |
Topic | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Shirley Ort, Associate Provost and Director of the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid Ann Trollinger, Associate Director of the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid |
The Carolina Covenant |
August 31, 2009 |
| James Leloudis, Associate Dean of Honors Program and Director of James M. Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence | Architectural History of UNC | September 14, 2009 |
| Ronald P. Strauss, Executive Associate Provost, Distinguished Professor of Dental Ecology |
Universities and Changes in Health Care | September 21, 2009 |
| Gene Nichol, Professor of Law and Director of the Center on Poverty, Work & Opportunity | The Public Mission | September 28, 2009 |
| Holden Thorp, Chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
The Engines of Innovation | October 5, 2009 |
| Stephen Farmer, Associate Provost and Director of Undergraduate Admissions | Admissions and the Public Interest |
October 19, 2009 |
| Joe Hackney, North Carolina Speaker of the House Roger Perry, Chairman of the Board of Trustees |
Government Support of Higher Education |
October 26, 2009 |
| Lynn Blanchard, Director of the Carolina Center for Public Service Jonathan Howes, Special Assistant to the Chancellor and former Mayor of Chapel Hill |
Carolina and the Community |
November 2, 2009 |
| Emily L. Williamson, Vice President for Student Development at Western Piedmont Community College | The Role of Community Colleges | November 9, 2009 |
| Anita R. Brown-Graham, Director of the Institute for Emerging Issues at North Carolina State University | The Engaged University | November 16, 2009 |
Wednesday Seminar Sections of the Course
| Section |
Instructor | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 601 | Jonathan Howes | The University and the Community |
| 602 | Lynn Blanchard | The Engaged University |
| 603 | Courtney Thornton | Innovation and Change in Higher Education |
Friday Field Lab (394L) Rachel Willis
| Topic | Stops |
Date |
|---|---|---|
| McCorkle's Block |
Dialectic Chamber; Morehead House; Visitors Center; Hyde Hall |
August 28, 2009 |
| Sports Lab |
Academic Field House; Boshamer Stadium; Koury Natatorium; Basketball Museum |
September 11, 2009 |
| Libraries and Scholarship |
Rare Books Collection, Wilson Library; Instructional Services, Davis Library; School of Library and Information Science Library |
September 18, 2009 |
| Performing Arts |
Memorial Hall; Forest Theater; Center for Dramatic Arts; Paul Green Theater; Kenan Theater |
September 25, 2009 |
| Student Affairs |
WXYC Student Radio Station; the Daily Tar Heel Newspaper Office; the Student Union; Upendo Lounge, SASB |
October 2, 2009 |
| University Villages |
Meadowmont; Southern Village |
October 9, 2009 |
| University Day |
Memorial Hall |
October 12, 2009 |
| Admissions to Alumni |
Campus Tour; Morehead-Patterson Bell Tower; Alumni Center |
October 16, 2009 |
| Cemetery Tour and Neighborhood |
Carolina Cemetery; School of Government |
October 30, 2009 |
| Sustainability |
FedEx Global Education Center; Carrington Hall Annex at the School of Nursing; Bell Tower Lot Construction Site; Morrison Residence Hall; Rams Head Center |
November 6, 2009 |