루이스 앤 클라크: 과학과 외교의 탐험대, 탐험단!

This course will examine the expedition of Lewis and Clark for science and diplomacy (cultural interaction and/or conflict) with Native Americans. Together we will examine the role of attitudes and government as we discuss Sacagawea's role in the success of the expedition. Early government (concepts of democracy) when Sacagawea and York are able to vote as equal members of the group. A major moment in history when a female and a Native America are able to vote as well as York who is Clark's African American slave.  

Our class will meet over four days with each day looking at a portion of the trip using seminar (Socratic Method), discussion, lecture, interactive material, primary documents, and a few video clips. The seminar discussion will focus on specific historical themes of cultural interaction, cultural conflict, role of the environment, role of the attitudes, and role of the government. To complete our class we will want to look at the Lewis and Clark expedition by discussing the lessons learned and the legacy of their trip in the larger context  of the young nation. It is also important to examine our history (Lewis and Clark) from a West looking East viewpoint and an East looking West perspective. 

Course Schedule:
Day 1: Who is Mr. G! How do I teach? Introduction of students and where we are all from. Why we have an interest in the course. This help Mr. G add in stories and historical points of interest for students as we go through the class. The Louisiana Purchase (1803) and President Thomas Jefferson interest in the West and Native Americans. We will also examine President Thomas Jefferson's Letter of Instructions to Lewis and the importance of Harbor's Ferry (supplies) prior to setting out.

Day 2: Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery head up the Missouri River on May 14, 1804. We will track the expedition and important history, dates, cultural interactions, and discoveries of the group to Fort Mandan. In November of 1804, the Corps of Discovery winter with the Mandan Native Americans.

Day 3: Sacagawea joins the Lewis and Clark expedition. We will examine the how Sacagawea will save the important equipment when canoes overturn, and how her reconnecting with her brother a leader of the Shoshone saves the groups. Day 3 will be looking at the journey from Fort Mandan to the winter camp at Fort Clatsop. 

Day 4: Our class will examine the return trip of Lewis and Clark and when they split up in Montana. Our class will rap up at looking at the different discoveries, achievements, the legacy of the trip, and what would become of the major players from the group. 

The foundation of my classes are free flowing presenting historical content (through primary and secondary) sources, and using the seminar method of questions and answers (discussion) that allows each student to develop their historical viewpoint on this significant part of American History. 

I believe that you will find me very engaging as I make history come alive. Students in my classes become historians as we use discussion and in this case journal entries to unpack the ideas, thoughts, and attitudes of the members that accomplished so much for science, early Native American interaction, and the soon to be expansion of a young nation. 

Students do not need a prior knowledge of Lewis and Clark, and by the end of the four days learners will become very knowledgeable about the expedition. We will also take a close look at places along the trail. I have traveled the majority of the trail from Montana to Oregon, and excited to show/discuss the awesome discoveries the group made between 1804-1806.