Course Synopsis:

During the mid 19th century the city of Chatham became an important terminus for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. During this same period Chatham also became a hotbed of abolitionism playing an important role in the fight against slavery and racial oppression in North America. Black activists and their allies who were based in Chatham or associated with the city wrote poems, articles, books, essays, stories and narratives as part of their active assault on the institution of slavery and anti Black racism. The project focuses on the rich archive of books and other print material that was written by Chatham-based Black abolitionists in the 19th century. By reconnecting these with the historical communities and context in which they were written, the project seeks to illuminate Chatham’s antislavery past and address anti-Black racism in the present through the restorative act of repatriating community memory. Students will write descriptive entries for the books in the digital database, and assist with a launch event on October 12th in honour of Mary Ann Shadd Cary’s 200th birthday.

Method of Delivery: In person

Students will conduct independent work and attend scheduled meetings 5 times throughout the semester (date and times TBD). Work be conducted in Archival and Special Collections on campus and online. Students will also travel to Chatham and participate in the October 12th launch event.

Course Learning Objectives:

By the end of the course, you will have made progress toward meeting the course learning objectives. This course is designed to help students:

1. Explore the value of print works as historical artifacts
2. Locate and differentiate between different volumes and printings
3. Research the Black activist history of Canada and the United States
4. Connect print materials to the physical locations and communities that they are relevant to
5. Make their research relevant and accessible with a wider public audience.
6. Engage and partner with a local Black institution
7. Reflect critically on their own research and writing

Methods of Evaluation and Weights:

Class Participation: 5%                            
Book Entries: 35%
Weekly Reflections: 15%                            
Contributions to the October 12th launch: 20%                
Final Essay: 25% 

Texts and/or Resources Required:

There is no required textbook. Texts and materials will be engaged with in the University of Guelph’s special collections and online. 

*Please note: This is a preliminary web course description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.