- 450 Level: Advanced (ADV)
- History
Grades: 11, 12
Fall
PREREQ: Starting with the Class of 2028, completion of both History 200 courses and one 300-level History course
ADV History of Durham is not offered in 2025–2026. It will be offered again in 2026–2027.
In many ways, Durham represents the adaptability of the American South and a model of urban reinvention. And yet, Durham’s success is complicated. How have changes in areas like housing policy, the service industry, policing, education, immigration, technology and the arts created opportunities as well as limitations for various groups? This course will begin with readings, guest speakers and off-campus trips that introduce students to a variety of topics in the history of Durham County. Students will write short reflection papers each week during the first quarter. During the second quarter, students will undertake a major research study on a topic of their choosing. Depending on their topic, students might spend substantial time in UNC’s Wilson Library and Duke’s Rubenstein Library or they might interview community members to learn about Durham’s more recent past. The instructor will help guide the research process, but it is expected that each student will bring the necessary maturity and motivation to conduct research independently. Students may choose the format of their final product — whether a research paper, policy proposal, podcast, video, website or possibly something else — but in all cases the product must be the result of original research. Students will end the semester by presenting their work at a symposium that other members of the DA and Durham communities will be invited to attend.
- Grade 11
- Grade 12