Powers, Dr. Amy

Who am I?

I’ve been teaching History for over 25 years; Most of that time has been at Waubonsee. I began teaching full-time at Waubonsee in 2003, and as you can probably imagine, much has changed since then—I’ve witnessed momentous changes in our world, transformations on our campus and in our community, innovations in technology, and the emergence of new teaching practices.  Most importantly, I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of students spanning several generations who’ve inspired me to be a better historian and teacher. 

I truly enjoy teaching at our college. You are an admirable group of people.  Community college students work hard, regularly balancing the competing demands of school, jobs, and family.  Your lived-experiences, determination, work ethic, tenacity, and your desire to give back to your communities have enriched our college.  I encourage you to embrace these strengths—and look inside yourselves for other qualities that will 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 have cherished our friends and loved ones, built robust communities, searched for beauty in the world, and displayed 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 love, bravery, and perseverance, on the one hand, while unflinchingly scrutinizing their mistakes, failings, and tragedies, on the other.

We’ve inherited this History—both the beautiful and the terrible.  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 for everyone! ☀️

The skills you acquire from History are useful in any profession, whether you pursue a career in Liberal Arts, STEM, healthcare, a trade, or a technical field. History is more than just knowledge of the past. Studying History helps you understand the present and provides you with tools to secure a successful future. It sheds light on our present moment, explaining how our world—and our role in it—came to be. At the same time, History teaches you to think critically, ask meaningful questions, apply new knowledge, 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 all kinds of information, at all times of day, from a seemingly unlimited number of sources. No matter your path, History prepares you to enter the future with confidence.   

What will you learn?

In addition to building historical knowledge, all my courses introduce students to historical methodology and the use of primary sources. You'll have the opportunity to “do” history like a historian: ask historical questions, apply historical thinking, and evaluate historical evidence. I like to introduce you to a variety of historical perspectives, including social, cultural, and transnational history, as well as the more traditional political and economic approaches to History.

What do I teach?

HIS 121: American History to 1865

We will learn about the major historical developments in American (U.S.) History beginning with the first encounters between Indigenous peoples and Europeans to the end of the Civil War.  Topics include: Colonial America, the American Revolution, the Constitution, the Market Economy, Democracy, American Slavery, the Sectional Crisis, and the Civil War.

HIS 112: Western Civilization Since 1648

We'll journey through the History of the "West" beginning in 1648 and ending in the present.  Topics include: Absolutism, the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, Industrialization, Imperialism, Nation-Building, WWI and WWII, the Cold War, Decolonization, the end of the Cold War, and our current moment. 

HIS 102: World History Since 1500

We will explore the history of global peoples and cultures beginning with European exploration in the Americas to the present.  Topics include: Global Contact, Global Trade, the Atlantic Revolutions, Industrialization, Imperialism, the emergence of Nation-States, WWI, WWII, the Cold War, Decolonization, and our current moment.

I would be happy to have you in one or all three of my classes! Please contact me with any 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