Examining the traditional narrative, as well as the stories of people whose voices have often been left out of history, this course explores accounts of Michigan’s indigenous people and first contact with Europeans through the tumultuous, yet impactful, Civil Rights Era. We will look at the social history of the state with a focus on class, gender, and race. Learn stories of original Michiganians’ first contact with French fur traders, abolitionists assisting enslaved African Americans on the Underground Railroad, women fighting for the vote, workers striking, activists fighting for civil rights…and many more marginalized voices that you might not have heard before.
Prerequisites: ENG111A, ENG111C