Michigan History
Michigan, a land where history crackles in the air, is a unique blend of natural beauty and human drama. From the roaring rivers to the gleaming great lakes, it's a tale of power plays, backroom deals, and dirty deals with nature. We'll begin in 1679 with the French fur traders. Flash forward: lumber, iron, and a deadly Civil War. But the people of Michigan, resilient and determined, rose above it all.
All this, plus the auto industry and labor wars, set against the cold, ironclad shores of the Great Lakes. From the first French fort to the rise of the auto giants, we're plunging into the story of Michigan like a man leaping into icy waters, ready to be swept away by the currents of history. Grab your maps, your muskets, and maybe a cold pop.
This is history like you've never heard it before. Welcome to Michigan.
Need a quick refresher on history? British rapper and songwriter Dan Bull has you covered:
Let me tell you of the days of high adventure! - Mako the Wizard, Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Let's immerse ourselves in the captivating world of Ryan Gordon Lancaster, an avid history enthusiast born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 30, 1983. From his early years, Ryan displayed an insatiable curiosity for history, a passion that persisted through his academic journey. After graduating from West Ottawa High School in 2002, he embarked on a vigorous pursuit of knowledge, obtaining an Associate degree in Applied Sciences from Muskegon Community College in 2005 and a Bachelor of Science in History from Grand Valley State University in 2009. Undeterred, he furthered his education with a Master in American History from American Military University in 2014, solidifying his reputation as a top-notch educator and adjunct professor at Central Texas College, Muskegon Community College, and California Intercontinental University.
Beyond the confines of academia, Ryan's ardor for history led him to explore the depths of time, uncovering hidden fragments and solving historical mysteries. For him, history was not merely a subject; it was the lifeblood of humanity, weaving through our veins and shaping our existence. Ryan was a guardian of the past, advocating for accessible history outside traditional classrooms. Involved in Michigan's public schools and museums, he spread historical wisdom far and wide, believing that the richness of history should be within everyone's reach. Ryan's unconventional teaching methods and dedication to making history approachable made him an outstanding educator and a trailblazer, leaving an indelible mark on future generations.
Course Delivery Format: Online/Asynchronous
This class is entirely online and will use the Blackboard Learning Management System, so you don't all have to be online simultaneously. You won't have time to meet, so you can do the work when it fits your schedule. Everything you need to learn, like videos, audio, written lessons, assignments, and tests, will be on Blackboard. You can use email and discussion boards if you need to talk to your teacher or classmates. Sometimes, the teacher might want you to take a test while someone watches to ensure you follow the rules. Other times, you might use a special program called Respondus Lockdown Browser to take tests online.
This class is entirely online and will use the Blackboard Learning Management System, so you don't all have to be online simultaneously. You won't have time to meet, so you can do the work when it fits your schedule. Everything you need to learn, like videos, audio, written lessons, assignments, and tests, will be on Blackboard. You can use email and discussion boards if you need to talk to your teacher or classmates. Sometimes, the teacher might want you to take a test while someone watches to ensure you follow the rules. Other times, you might use a special program called Respondus Lockdown Browser to take tests online.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the reading assignments and video lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of the instructor or the school. History is not monolithic; it is told through countless eyes with countless opinions
The views expressed in the reading assignments and video lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of the instructor or the school. History is not monolithic; it is told through countless eyes with countless opinions
We've got some fine classroom lectures coming your way, all courtesy of the RPTM podcast. These lectures will take you on a wild ride through history, exploring everything from ancient civilizations and epic battles to scientific breakthroughs and artistic revolutions. The podcast will guide you through each lecture with its no-nonsense, straight-talking style, using various sources to give you the lowdown on each topic. You won't find any fancy-pants jargon or convoluted theories here, just plain and straightforward explanations anyone can understand. So sit back and prepare to soak up some knowledge.
REQUIRED READINGS:
Rubenstein, Bruce A., and Lawrence E. Ziewacz. Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State. 5th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.
All other assigned texts will be provided through the learning modules or links.
Dr. Bruce Alan Rubenstein, a true Michigan man, was born in the gritty streets of Port Huron on February 19, 1945. From the dusty corners of his high school days to the halls of Michigan State University, Bruce built himself into a machine of history, politics, and books. He wasn't just any professor; he was a fierce critic of Michigan's political underbelly. His influence extended beyond the University of Michigan-Flint, as he stirred up the muck of Michigan's political past and served as the Genesee County Republican Chair under Governor John Engler. This man wasn't just a professor but a force of nature, leaving an indelible mark on Michigan's political scene.
Lawrence E. Ziewacz, the contemplative professor from Michigan State University, hailed from the serene expanse of Sault Ste. Marie. He was the calm counterpart to Bruce's passionate nature, the intellectual companion in their literary adventures. While Ziewacz may not have shared Bruce's fervor for politics, his scholarly contributions to American thought were equally profound. His measured and scholarly touch helped shape the cultural landscape of the era. Together, these two were a dynamic duo, transforming history into stories that were not just written—they were experienced.
Rubenstein, Bruce A., and Lawrence E. Ziewacz. Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State. 5th ed. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.
All other assigned texts will be provided through the learning modules or links.
Dr. Bruce Alan Rubenstein, a true Michigan man, was born in the gritty streets of Port Huron on February 19, 1945. From the dusty corners of his high school days to the halls of Michigan State University, Bruce built himself into a machine of history, politics, and books. He wasn't just any professor; he was a fierce critic of Michigan's political underbelly. His influence extended beyond the University of Michigan-Flint, as he stirred up the muck of Michigan's political past and served as the Genesee County Republican Chair under Governor John Engler. This man wasn't just a professor but a force of nature, leaving an indelible mark on Michigan's political scene.
Lawrence E. Ziewacz, the contemplative professor from Michigan State University, hailed from the serene expanse of Sault Ste. Marie. He was the calm counterpart to Bruce's passionate nature, the intellectual companion in their literary adventures. While Ziewacz may not have shared Bruce's fervor for politics, his scholarly contributions to American thought were equally profound. His measured and scholarly touch helped shape the cultural landscape of the era. Together, these two were a dynamic duo, transforming history into stories that were not just written—they were experienced.
Howard Zinn was a historian, writer, and political activist known for his critical analysis of American history. He is particularly well-known for his counter-narrative to traditional American history accounts and highlights marginalized groups' experiences and perspectives. Zinn's work is often associated with social history and is known for his Marxist and socialist views. Larry Schweikart is also a historian, but his work and perspective are often considered more conservative. Schweikart's work is often associated with military history, and he is known for his support of free-market economics and limited government. Overall, Zinn and Schweikart have different perspectives on various historical issues and events and may interpret historical events and phenomena differently. Occasionally, we will also look at Thaddeus Russell, a historian, author, and academic. Russell has written extensively on the history of social and cultural change, and his work focuses on how marginalized and oppressed groups have challenged and transformed mainstream culture. Russell is known for his unconventional and controversial ideas, and his work has been praised for its originality and provocative nature.
My classes utilize both Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and Larry Schweikart's Patriot's History of the United States, mostly in excerpts posted to the modules.
My classes utilize both Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and Larry Schweikart's Patriot's History of the United States, mostly in excerpts posted to the modules.
Prepare to be transported into the captivating realm of historical films and videos. Brace yourselves for a mind-bending odyssey through time as we embark on a cinematic expedition. Within these flickering frames, the past morphs into a vivid tapestry of triumphs, tragedies, and transformative moments that have shaped the very fabric of our existence. We shall immerse ourselves in a whirlwind of visual narratives, dissecting the nuances of artistic interpretations, examining the storytelling techniques, and voraciously devouring historical accuracy with the ferocity of a time-traveling historian. So strap in, hold tight, and prepare to have your perception of history forever shattered by the mesmerizing lens of the camera.
Welcome to the mind-bending Key Terms extravaganza of our history class learning module. Brace yourselves; we will unravel the cryptic codes, secret handshakes, and linguistic labyrinths that make up the twisted tapestry of historical knowledge. These key terms are the Rosetta Stones of our academic journey, the skeleton keys to unlocking the enigmatic doors of comprehension. They're like historical Swiss Army knives, equipped with blades of definition and corkscrews of contextual examples, ready to pierce through the fog of confusion and liberate your intellectual curiosity. By harnessing the power of these mighty key terms, you'll possess the superhuman ability to traverse the treacherous terrains of primary sources, surf the tumultuous waves of academic texts, and engage in epic battles of historical debate. The past awaits, and the key terms are keys to unlocking its dazzling secrets.
DISCLAIMER: Welcome scholars to the wild and wacky world of history class. This isn't your granddaddy's boring ol' lecture, baby. We will take a trip through time, which will be one wild ride. I know some of you are in a brick-and-mortar setting, while others are in the vast digital wasteland. But fear not; we're all in this together. Online students might miss out on some in-person interaction, but you can still join in on the fun. This little shindig aims to get you all engaged with the course material and understand how past societies have shaped the world we know today. We'll talk about revolutions, wars, and other crazy stuff. So get ready, kids, because it's going to be one heck of a trip. And for all, you online students out there, don't be shy. Please share your thoughts and ideas with the rest of us. The Professor will do his best to give everyone an equal opportunity to learn, so don't hold back. So, let's do this thing!
Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round for the pièce de résistance of this classroom module - the summary section. As we embark on this tantalizing journey, we'll savor the exquisite flavors of knowledge, highlighting the fundamental ingredients and spices that have seasoned our minds throughout these captivating lessons. Prepare to indulge in a savory recap that will leave your intellectual taste buds tingling, serving as a passport to further enlightenment.
Click on a button to learn more about other assignments for this class:
Click on a button to learn more about other assignments for this class:
LEARNING MODULES
Below is a list of each of the learning modules for this class. Click on a button to get started.
Below is a list of each of the learning modules for this class. Click on a button to get started.
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