Don Meinig as a Teacher

Abstract

DON MEINIG AS AN UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTOR (BY JOHN WESTERN) It is abundantly clear that Donald Meinig, though so very eminent a research scholar, never skimped his undergraduate teaching. Entirely appropriately, his first arrival at Syracuse University from the University of Utah saw him rostered in, yes, Geo 101: World Our not-quite-complete archives reveal that from then until his retirement from undergraduate teaching in 1989 his major lower-division contributions were twofold. First was Man on the Earth: In the 1960s this was a year-long, two-semester sequence; it was retitled Cultural in 1972, and he taught it at least nine times. Then there was the semester-long Political course, which he also taught at least nine times. Historical Geography of the U.S. found itself taught at either the lower-division or at the joint upper-division/master's level; he offered the course a dozen times. In the upper division, Don taught World Cultures fourteen or more times. In addition, there were a number of other offerings over the years, with titles like American Culture (three times), Canada (three times), and American Diversity and Unity, an honors-students-only undergraduate seminar that he handed on to me when, in 1986, I was in my fourth semester at Syracuse and that I have held tightly and delightedly onto ever since. Vicki Andersen entered Syracuse University in 1985. When, after a hiatus of at least fifteen years, I contacted her to enquire whether she might be interested in playing a role in this tribute, she volunteered with alacrity. Here is what she then wrote to me: My first encounter with Professor Meinig was in a freshman geography survey class. His booming voice filled the auditorium as he lectured us. I remember thinking two things: he was a bit intimidating with all the information he presented, and this guy knows his stuff! He had so much knowledge to impart to us, though as a freshman I couldn't yet appreciate just how much. Senior year I took his Geo 414 class, American Historical Geography. Again, there was an amazing amount of information to digest, but in this small class setting, Professor Meinig's joy of teaching and his kindness made an impression on me. We became immersed in the development of America and used volume 1 of his The Shaping of America [1986], recently published at the time, as one of our textbooks. This fascinating book gave me insights into cultural patterns and the migrations of settlers in North America into separate regional societies, something I had not been aware of prior to this class. His geniality and moments of levity made us all comfortable with this knowledgeable man. Professor Meinig was a tough and demanding instructor. Working my tail off during the semester did not earn me the top marks I had sought. [A little later, however,] one of my greatest honors while at SU occurred during routine office hours with Professor Meinig. He indicated during our chat that he thought I was a fine geography student who would be probably be heading off to grad school. If so, he would happily write me a recommendation. I had no plans for grad school at the time, but the idea that DONALD MEINIG would write me a recommendation almost convinced me to ditch my postgraduation plans-- which didn't include any more studying!--and apply to grad school immediately ... I was that honored! In Fall Semester 1986 Sophie Oldfield began at Syracuse University. Immediately she found herself in Don's class on--the name escapes me--the world (!) This was in my first semester of university, my first semester at SU, and my first geography course and I basically was captivated. Two memories have surfaced: one was my task to nudge two friends who sat on either side of me in the second row when they fell asleep (pretty much daily) The second memory was receiving an A++ on the first test (probably my first test at university) and Meinig having written a note on the test to say please come and see him, which I did, and perhaps seeing a potential geographer, he sent me skipping down the corridor to meet you (quite literally! …