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New Semester
By Samuel P. Wheeler | August 18, 2008
Today marks the beginning of a new semester. For the next four months, I will be teaching Illinois History here at Southern Illinois University. I’m really looking forward to the course.
For the last two years, I’ve been writing my dissertation, Every Spot a Grave: The Poetry of Abraham Lincoln. I’m happy to say, I have completed a draft and submitted it to my advisor just five days ago! As many of you know, the writing process can be an isolating experience at times. It will be nice to get out from behind the computer screen three times a week to teach.
Our reading list for Illinois history looks something like this:
- Roger Biles, Illinois: A History of the Land and Its People
- Jason Emerson, The Madness of Mary Lincoln
- Paul M. Angle, Bloody Williamson: A Chapter in American Lawlessness
I plan to use Biles as a textbook for the course, while Emerson, in addition to examining one of my favorite subjects, illustrates the process of research and writing. Angle, of course, is a must-read, especially for those of us living in Southern Illinois.
Here’s to a good semester, both at SIU and at LincolnStudies.com!
Topics: Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
August 18th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Hi, congrats on finishing your dissertation. Good luck with the new semester, sounds like it will be interesting. I really like your site and would love to add you onto my blogroll, if you dont mind.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:46 am
Congrats on handing in the first draft! I am in awe of PhD students. I have a lot of friends who have put themselves in that position. I’ll also take the time to tell you that I love this site. I fell for Lincoln a couple of years ago after reading ‘Lincoln’s Melancholy,’ and it’s awesome to see the enthusiasm for him is still strong.
Good luck with the semester and the subsequent drafts!
cp
August 21st, 2008 at 9:07 am
Thank you both for the kind words about the dissertation and the site.
Historylover–of course, add me to your blogroll; I will be sure to check out your site as well.
Catherine–I also enjoyed Shenk’s book. I thought he did a first-rate job on a subject that deserved attention. His book was read by such a wide audience! I love to hear stories from people who read his book and became interested in Lincoln for the first time.
Best wishes,
Sam.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Sam,
What other titles will you use? What about
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 am
Hi Robert,
That’s it for the book-length titles. I will however be passing articles their way throughout the semester.
Sam.
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:49 am
One of the reasons I loved the book so much was Shenk’s differentiation between ‘melancholia’ and ‘depression,’ and then how he depicted one aspect of Lincoln’s passion for self-discovery – understanding what was going on inside. I thought you’d be interested in this (http://writinghumbuggery.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/happy-199th-abe/). I was working on some house cleaning and came across it.
Cheers.