Course Objectives & Requirements

HIST 430 Field Experience

Prairie Earth, Prairie Homes

The main concentration of work, obviously, is during the fieldwork phase, 24-31 July 2011. This is experiential learning on site, working on the restoration of the Hutmacher farmstead, and touring a variety of other earth building sites across western North Dakota. Prior to this, there is some preliminary study and online discussion, and after the fieldwork, we require participation online in assessment of the course. Further details are given in tables below.

Here are the objectives of the course. On completion, students should be able to

1. Articulate the role and rationale for earth buildings in the historical culture of the Great Plains

2. Identify and describe the five types of earth building traditions on the plains

3. Demonstrate mastery of techniques for restoration of earth buildings

Requirements for 3 Undergraduate Credit Hours
Activity	Time Period	Products	Evaluation
View & discuss DVD, Children of the Steppe, Children of the Prairie	11-23 July	Online contributions to Facebook discussion board	Reflective review by Prof. Isern
Full participation in study tour, with accompanying lectures, of historic earth building sites across western North Dakota	24-31 July	Field journal, to be maintained in hard copy and submitted to Prof. Isern at end of experiential phase	Reflective review by Prof. Isern
Full participation in restoration activities at Hutmacher farmstead	24-31 July
Post-assessment	1-5 August	Completion of online form assessing instruction & learning in the course	Not graded – participation only

Prairie Earth, Prairie Homes