Powers, Dr. Amy

A note to students:

I truly enjoy teaching at our college. Over the past 25 years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of students who’ve inspired me to be a better historian and teacher.  Waubonsee students are an admirable group of people who work hard, regularly balancing the competing demands of school, jobs, and family.  Your creativity, tenacity, and desire to make a difference in the world have enriched our college and strengthened our community.  I encourage you to embrace your talents—and look inside yourselves for qualities to help you succeed.

Why do I teach History?

I’ve loved History ever since I was a child.  I think it was the stories that drew me to History.  After all, at its core, History is a narrative—a collection of stories about people who lived before us.

I find comfort in History.  I’ve discovered humans have not changed a great deal over time.  Throughout the ages, we've cherished our loved ones, built robust communities, searched for beauty in the world, and summoned resiliency when faced with adversity.  Studying History allows us to remember past generations, who like us, journeyed through the world the best they could. We honor their ingenuity, bravery, and perseverance, on the one hand, while unflinchingly scrutinizing their mistakes, failings, and struggles, on the other.

We’ve inherited this History—both the beautiful and the tragic.  Let’s discover it together and uncover the richness of our shared past.

I look forward to meeting you and sharing my love of History.

History is more than just knowledge of the past. It helps us understand the present and explains how how our world—and our role in it—came to be.

At the same time, History provides tools to secure a better future. It teaches us to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and explore new ways of thinking. You’ll learn how to evaluate evidence, determining its value and credibility.  This last skill is particularly important in our world of instant communication, where we have access to information at all times of day, from a seemingly unlimited number of sources. 

History offers something for everyone, whether you choose a career in Liberal Arts, STEM, business, healthcare, or a trade.  No matter your path, History will spark your curiosity and equip you with skills to enter the future with confidence.

HIS 102: World History Since 1500
HIS 112: Western Civilization Since 1648
HIS 121: American History to 1865

What will you learn?

You'll discover the richness of History in each of my survey courses.  World History since 1500 introduces to you a vast array of stories spanning more than 500 years and covering every continent.  You'll learn how the peoples of the world became connected, often intertwined, after 1500 as exploration, trade, and colonization linked the worlds of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.  Western Civilization since 1648 covers a similar time-frame, but narrows our attention on the "West," the regions surrounding the Mediterranean Sea.  Since our journey begins in 1648, we'll spend most of our time on early modern and modern Europe. American History to 1865 focuses on the fascinating history of our own country, beginning with the Colonial Era and ending with the Civil War.  

I will also introduce you to historical methodology, meaning you'll have the opportunity to “do” history like a historian: ask historical questions, apply historical thinking, and evaluate historical evidence. We'll read and analyze primary sources, which provide intimate glimpses into the lives of the people who lived before us. 

I would be happy to have you in any of my classes! Please contact me with questions!

Education:

Ph.D., History, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois.
M.A., History, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio.
B.A., History, Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Professional Affiliations:

American Historical Association
Organization of American Historians

Professional Development:

Association of College and University Educators (ACUE)
Quality Matters