The Latest:  I spent my sabbatical of spring, 2009, teaching at Henan University in Kaifeng, China.  What a great experience!  You can read all about it on my blog (below).

PackLiteTravels will returns to action in 2010 with a trip to beautiful ITALY.  Registration has begun.  All information about itinerary and cost are posted on my blog.  You can find updates and a list of those who are on board there, also.  If you’re interested getting on the mailing list to receive information and updates, just send me your name, address, phone number, and preferred e-mail.

Background:   Beginning with the 1994 spring break, PackLiteTravels has taken travelers to many countries on four continents.  The PackLite Adventure Series was inaugurated in 2002 with a trip to Costa Rica featuring hiking and whitewater rafting.  Since then groups have biked in Ireland, hiked the Inca Trail in Peru, gone on safari in East Africa, and trekked in the hills of Scotland.  See list of past trips.  Everyone is welcome;  no present or past affiliation with The University of Akron is required.  PackLite travelers have included everyone from teenagers to senior citizens.  As we've formed our own travel community many friendships have been forged, great lessons learned, and eyes opened wide.  Read one traveler’s testimonial here.

Last Journey:  We had a wonderful time getting acquainted with the people and beautiful land of Ecuador during the summer of 2008.  See a slideshow

Past trips:  View a selection of pictures from recent tours.

                                                My Travels:  loads of exploring ahead!

COURSES AND ACADEMIC WORK
Most of the time I teach American history survey courses and Humanities in the Western Tradition, a Western civilization course.  When my schedule allows, I also teach World Civilizations:  China.

The classroom to me is alive with possibility, interactive energy, and improvisation.  Read my article on jazz teaching.
I've taken a special interest in film, especially how history is presented in commercial releases.  My students are assigned research papers in this area.  The History Teacher has made an article in which I describe my approach available on the Internet.  We’ve built a world-class collection of history-related videos in the Wayne College Library.

Filmography for Humanities in the Western Tradition 210 (part I)

Filmography for Humanities in the Western Tradition 211 (part II)

Filmography for US History to 1877 (250)

Filmography for US History from 1877 (251)

Flimography for World Civilizations China (385)

                                   

THE ROAD TO WAYNE
I started teaching as an adjunct at Cuyahoga Community College while still a graduate student at Case Western Reserve University.  Subsequently I taught at two Ohio University regional campuses and for Shawnee State University.  I even instructed a few courses at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville, which at the time was the only maximum-security prison in Ohio. That was an interesting group of students.  I still correspond with one of the inmates.  I worked in the public sector and later ran my own business, but always taught part-time.  In mid-life I decided to pursue a full-time academic career and came to The University of Akron Wayne College in September 1992.  
Education: B.A. Miami University    M.A. Case Western Reserve University   Ph.D. Ohio University

Here is my CV.

 

CONTACT ME

packlite@uakron.edu
Office phone:  330-684-8715
College toll-free:  800-221-8308

                                                                   Fax: 330-684-8989

1901Smucker Rd., Orrville, OH 44667

University Zipmail:  8901

The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed by The University of Akron.