Congratulations to the 2008 Maine Studies Research Awards winners, who will receive a certificate of recognition at the Division of Lifelong Learning Honors Ceremony. Thanks to the University of Maine Foundation, each student will also receive $250. The Maine Studies Research Awards are designed to recognize excellence in Maine-related student research.

The winners are:

Valerie Mitchell, "Wabanaki Worldview - Resources for Educators" undergraduate award - (Maureen Smith - instructor)

Summer 2008 Courses

Graduate Level Only:

· MES 520(990)– Maine Politics and Public Policy – Ken Palmer, Mark Brewer, Ken Nichols, and Tom Taylor (*NEW* course!)

· MES 520(001)/ARH 597 - Art, Maine, and A Sense of Place – Michael Grillo

Undergraduate Level:

· ARH 361 - Art, Maine, and A Sense of Place – Michael Grillo

· ENG 244 - Writers of Maine – Judy Hakola

· GEO 210 - Geography of Maine – Cathleen McAnneny

· NAS 102 - Introduction to Wabanaki Culture, History, and Contemporary Issues – Maureen Smith

· NAS 401/ MLC 598 – Wabanaki Summer Academy – Maureen Smith

· NAS 401(990)/EDU 580 – Teaching About Maine Indians’ History and Culture – John Maddaus and Maureen Smith

· UST 300 – Maine Law, Martha Broderick

· WST 201 - Maine Women – Jennifer Pickard

WST 301 – Women and the Legal System – Martha Broderick

Holly Blanchard-Reed, "Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 - Acknowledging the Past" graduate award - (Sandra Butler – instructor)

MES 520(990) – Maine Politics and Public Policy, Ken Palmer, Mark Brewer, Ken Nichols, Tom Taylor *GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY* (3 credits)

This interdisciplinary graduate seminar examines contemporary issues confronting the state and the politics that surround them. Particular attention is given to the Maine’s role in national affairs, its unique political environment, political parties and elections, the dynamics of the legislative, executive and judicial branches, the structure and operation of local governmental institutions, including regional governance, and the formulation and administration of state and local policies, especially taxing and spending policies. This course will be online, but the first lecture will be delivered on May 30 during Alumni Reunion Weekend. Students may attend the lecture in person or view it on the course web site. For more information on this course go to: http://studentrecords.umaine.edu/soc.htm and search for MES 520 under Summer 2008 schedule of classes.

MES 520(001)/ARH 597 - Art, Maine, and A Sense of Place, Michael Grillo *GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY* on campus, 5/17, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, & 6/21 (3 credits)

This interdisciplinary course will focus on Maine's rich art history, from Wabanaki art to the well-known landscape artists of the coast and Mt. Katahdin, to the contemporary arts in Maine. Students will develop final projects according to their interests, including the arts and the Maine economy, museum studies, art gallery management, Maine material history, and multi-culturalism and the arts in Maine, to name just a few possible topics.

ARH 361 - Art, Maine, and A Sense of Place, Michael Grillo - available on campus only – Saturdays May 17 & 31, June 7, 14, & 21 (3 credits)

This course is available to undergraduates and will meet at the same time as MES 520 (001)/ ARH 597. See description above.

ENG 244 - Writers of Maine, Judy Hakola, online & ITV, Tuesdays, 7:00-9:45 PM, 7/7-8/22 (3 credits)

Broadcast on ITV and on the web, Judy Hakola teaches this class about Maine literature. She uses readings from the anthology Maine Speaks: An Anthology of Maine Literature, as well as additional readings. The class will also explore examples of Maine art, music, and film to see how they enrich our understanding of the state and its people.

GEO 210 - Geography of Maine, Cathleen McAnneny, online, 5/12-5/30 (3 credits)

This class explores the cultural and historical geography of Maine. Topics include demographics, cultures, politics and economics. Assignments include exams and a final paper.

NAS 102 - Introduction to Wabanaki Culture, History, and Contemporary Issues,

Maureen Smith, online, 5/19-7/3 (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the tribes that make up the Wabanaki Confederacy; the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot. It provides a survey of the individual tribe’s history, culture, philosophy, creation stories, and current issues.

NAS 401/ MLC 598 – Wabanaki Summer Academy, Maureen Smith, M-F, 8:00-5:00, 6/23-6/27 (3 credits)

This 5-day Summer Institute on Wabanaki Studies will be held at the University of Maine in Orono. This is the third institute to focus on preparing educators to teach all Maine students (K-12) about the Wabanaki people. As an annual event, the institute will serve to support educators in the implementation of public law 2001, Chapter 403 (known as LD 291).

NAS 401(990)/EDU 580 – Teaching About Maine Indians’ History and Culture, John Maddaus & Maureen Smith, online and in class, 5/2 - 6/14 (3 credits)

This course guides the development of culturally appropriate classroom strategies, practices and curriculum to effectively teach L.D. 291: An Act to Require the Teaching of Maine Native American History and Culture in Maine Schools. The course meets initially at the May 2 and 3 Conference, followed by six weeks of online learning. The course concludes with a class meeting on June 14 at UMaine. For EDU 580, additional work will be required after June 14.

UST 300 – Maine Law, Martha Broderick, online, 5/12 - 5/30, (3 credits)

This course will explore Maine’s legal system and the impact that selected laws have on Maine citizens. Students will examine the basic structure of the legal system, small claim courts, the state constitution, the rights and responsibilities of Maine’s regulatory agencies, Maine’s criminal code, and civil remedies available in Maine, including negligence, contracts, family and property laws.

WST 201 - Maine Women, Jennifer Pickard, online – 6/2 - 7/3 (3 credits)

This course will explore women's experiences in Maine, both historical and current. Through readings and discussions, we will analyze Maine women individually and collectively in such roles as industrial workers, reformers, performers, writers, politicians, and mothers. As we study Maine women we will keep in mind several major questions. How have Maine's particular environment, culture, economy, and history shaped women's experiences in the state? How have national movements (for example suffrage, ERA, welfare reform) shaped women's lives in Maine? And how have issues of class, race, and ethnicity intersected with gender in Maine?

WST 301 – Women and the Legal System, Martha Broderick, 6/16 - 8/8 (3 credits)

Taught by a practicing lawyer, this course will acquaint students with the protections afforded in the law for women and identify areas where the law fails to meet women’s needs. Topics will include sex-based employment discrimination, reproductive freedom, and domestic relations. The course will also help students to become more aware of the roles of women in the legal system, as well as how the legal system itself functions.

Maine Studies Courses Offered Fall 2008

Course Descriptions

LIB 500 – Exploring Interdisciplinarity – Carol Toner & Betsy Beattie, Wednesdays 4:00-6:45, offered on computer conferencing system, *GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY*

This course explores the meaning and methods of interdisciplinary studies. Through readings, written assignments, and discussion, we will consider the uses and limitations of interdisciplinarity. Throughout the semester we will also invite faculty members who are involved in interdisciplinary teaching and research to talk about their interdisciplinary experiences. By way of applying interdisciplinary theories to practical problems, we will focus on the topic of working traditions in Maine, including traditional work (fishing, farming, logging), industrial work (textile and paper mills), service industry work, and post-industrial work. We will view selected films and artwork as well as read novels, essays, and articles based in various disciplines to learn how historians, anthropologists, sociologists, economists, and other scholars study work. We will pay particular attention to how the questions, methods and sources vary from discipline to discipline and think about ways to “layer” the information for a deeper understanding of working traditions in Maine.

This course is required for all MALS students.

WST 501 – Franco-American Women's Project: Borders and Beyond – Rhea Cote Robbins, online, *GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY* (3 credits)

This course will examine the intersection of the past, present and future texts, in comparison/contrast with writings that cross borders and go beyond the borders. A world within a world—visibility of presence outside of the mainstream focus: What constitutes story of a cultural group such as the Franco-American women? Métis women? Francophone women of color? Borders, boundaries, time, space, texts, contexts, events, and the future of literatures will be examined through the lens of Franco-American/Métis/Francophone women of color, women-defined, examination of writings and more. We explore relevant texts, plays, films, music, and artifacts. The course is writing intensive; students will conduct original research and publish final projects online.

ANT 426 – Native American Folklore – Paulene McDougall, online (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the anthropological scholarship of Native American folklore, with an emphasis on the Northeastern U.S. and Maritime Provinces of Canada. We will survey the various genres of traditional expressive culture with an emphasis on mythology and storytelling. The "borrowing" of folk tales and motifs from one culture to another will be explored. Students conduct research and present their findings to the class.

FAS 329/WST 301 – Franco-American Women's Project: Borders and Beyond – Rhea Cote Robbins (3 credits)

FTY 111 – Forests Through Time – William Livingston, online (N.B. 1 credit)

Basic concepts of science will be used to explain how forests have responded to natural and human influences over time. This foundation will be used to explore how a range of uses will affect the future sustainability of forest systems and their ability to meet society's needs.

HTY 210 – History of Maine, Jennifer Pickard, online (3 credits)

This course examines the social, economic, and political history of Maine from prehistoric times to the present. We will discuss the politics and economy of Maine’s past, and also the everyday lives of ordinary people – women, workers, immigrants, Native Americans, rural people, and others. Students will be encouraged to explore Maine history through research in their local areas.

HTY 211 – Maine and the Sea, Warren Riess, online (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the maritime history of Maine, from the pre-contact era through the present. Emphasis will be given to the history of the coast, to inland Maine's relationship with the sea, and to Maine's maritime relationship to the world. We will explore both archaeological and historical research in our efforts to understand Maine's maritime history. Texts will include James Acheson, The Lobster Gangs of Maine, Robert Albion, et al., New England and the Sea, Richard Judd, et al., Maine the Pine Tree State, and additional materials posted on FirstClass.

HTY 398 – Maine in the American Revolution, Warren Riess, online (3 credits)

This course explores the experience of Maine’s people from just before, during, and just after the American Revolution. The course will focus on Maine’s colonists and native peoples caught in the social, economic, and political storms of the late 1700s. No Prerequisites. This is an asynchronous online course, offered through FirstClass.

NAS 401 – Native American Studies – Contemporary Issues – William Whalen (3 credits)

In the United States, Native America is most often seen through the lens of history. This tendency runs the risk of missing the contemporary lives and affairs of this country’s First Peoples. Native Americans are part of our history and heritage, yet many Americans have little knowledge beyond stereotypes. Today there are more than 560 self-governing Indian Nations in the United States. These people confront day-to-day challenges from raising children with strong identities, to strengthening culture, to providing economic sustenance, protecting public health and safety, and managing governmental affairs. While invisible to the mainstream, Native American cultures are surviving, striving and in some cases, thriving. This course will examine complex issues facing Native Americans today and Native responses to them, enabling students to gain a cross-cultural perspective through discussions, films, and readings.

UST 300 – Maine Law, Martha Broderick, online (3 credits)

This course explores Maine's legal system and the impact that selected laws have on Maine citizens. Students will examine the basic structure of the legal system, Small Claims Courts, the state constitution, the rights and responsibilities of Maine's regulatory agencies, Maine's criminal code, and civil remedies available in Maine, including negligence, contracts, family and property laws. The course will also consider how Maine differs from other states in legal matters, and how conflicts with federal laws are resolved. For the final paper, students will have an opportunity to complete in-depth research on a topic of their own choosing.

The Master of Arts in Liberal Studies/Maine Studies Concentration

The University of Maine Graduate School offers an interdisciplinary concentration in Maine Studies within the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. This degree program offers students the opportunity to design an interdisciplinary study of Maine through classes in literature, history, folklore, Native American studies, Franco-American studies, women’s studies, geology, geography, political science, and other disciplines. Students will also participate in interdisciplinary seminars.

The Maine Studies graduate program allows students to pursue Maine-related interdisciplinary interests such as Wabanaki culture and the environment, poverty and public policy, immigrant history and culture, women’s work and the economy, the art and culture of the coast, or folklore and labor history, to name just a few examples of interdisciplinary research areas. While providing a better understanding of the state’s problems and opportunities, both past and present, this interdisciplinary liberal arts program will also sharpen students' research and critical thinking skills and deepen their understanding of Maine. The program will help prepare students for careers in such areas as teaching, government, business, historical preservation, or social services.

Degree Requirements:

With the guidance of an academic advisor, students will complete 30 graduate credit hours in order to earn the MALS degree with a Maine Studies concentration. These credit hours will be distributed in the following way:

6-9 hours of LIB 500, Interdisciplinary Seminars, including:

LIB 500 – Exploring Interdisciplinary

LIB 500 – A Sense of Place: Maine and Regional Identity

15-21 hours of graduate level course credits distributed the following way:

-No more than 2 courses may be taken at the 400 levels

-No more than 3 courses may be taken in a single discipline (this stipulation does not apply to courses with the LIB designator)

3-6 hours of LIB 699, Master Project in Liberal Studies, usually completed near the end of the student’s academic program

At least 15 of the required 30 credit hours must be Maine-related courses as identified by the Coordinator of the Maine Studies program.

For more information on the Maine Studies Interdisciplinary Masters Degree contact:

The Maine Studies office at 581-3147.

To apply for this program contact:

The Graduate School

2 Winslow Hall

University of Maine

Orono, Maine 04469

Phone: (207) 581-3217

Web address: http://www.umaine.edu/graduate/