Author: Henry Booth

After the Gettysburg field trip, students had a relatively relaxing day back at the dorms. Students mainly worked on their close reading projects, with many of them getting a lot done. The Graduate TAs were available to review draft posts and provide quality feedback, and the Undergraduate Interns helped with video editing and other technological issues that students had. Students overall made good progress on their projects, setting themselves up for success in their assignments. Some students even finished their projects, and began preparing for the debate this coming Friday by analyzing the possible arguments they could face, and reviewing the source materials that will help them form better arguments.

Aside the project work, students also got to relax at the dorm. Some went to the gym or outdoors to have some active time, where others hung around the dorms and talked with their friends, recounting their favorite parts of the Gettysburg trip, and the seminar in general. Many chose to rest up after the long trip yesterday, recharging for the busy week ahead. Overall a very relaxing yet productive day back at the dorms.

Tom Torlino before and after photograph (Carlisle Indian School Digital Resource Center)

Wednesday started off strong, with a lengthy discussion about both Frederick Douglass’s autobiographical narrative and a sketch of Abraham Lincoln, where both men talk about their upbringings in great detail. Students gained greater insight into their biographies, as they began to brainstorm their Close Reading projects and think about the upcoming Lincoln-Douglass debate. Students also heard from the head of Dickinson College’s Carlisle Indian Industrial School project and one of Dickinson’s archivists, Jim Gerencser. Students were able to see various documents, like the before and after picture of Tom Torlino, a Navajo Native American who attended the Indian School. They asked insightful questions into the operations of the Carlisle Indian School, what the conditions were like, and how people should remember its legacy.

Students also learned how to access and use WordPress and WeVideo, two programs they will need for their Close Reading projects. By considering the text, context, and subtext of their chosen document, students will draw various conclusions as to what their author truly meant throughout their work. They will also provide a brief video where they read an excerpt from their document, accompanied by background music and relevant images.

Students at the afternoon workshop, where they learned how to use WordPress and WeVideo

Wednesday concluded with a variety of fun activities. Some students went to Walmart for a quick shopping trip with the undergraduate interns, while others played games, hung out with friends, and enjoyed each others’ company at the dorm. Some students even began brainstorming with their graduate TAs about what documents they would write about and outlined their Close Reading posts. All in all, it was a very productive and entertaining day.