Walking history’s footsteps gives students insight for today

By Jamie Eiland

Imagine walking through the historic, cobblestone streets of Geneva, Switzerland. The stones are just damp from light rain the previous night. Snowcapped mountains tower above the city. To the left, historic architecture. To the right, Lake Geneva glistens as the bright morning sun reflects off its waves.

A group of Anderson University students may get to experience this view next year as part of an AU Abroad course through the College of Arts and Sciences. Two AU professors, one an expert in communication and the other in history, will be leading students to the places frequented by Johannes Gutenberg and Martin Luther as part of a course called “Printers and Protestants: A History of the Printing Press and the Reformation.”

James Duncan, associate professor of communication, and Lynneth Miller, assistant professor of history, will be traveling with their

students to Switzerland, Germany, and France, studying the Protestant Reformation and the beginnings of the printing press. The 10-day trip in May 2020 will follow a semester of classroom study on the AU campus.

The class will visit sites associated with some of the significant historical figures who helped transform culture in the Western world. Duncan said that by visiting locations like Luther’s confessional room and witnessing the original Gutenberg Bibles, students will be able to have first-hand experience with the events that shaped present-day morals and thought.

“It’s the sensation of knowing that you are walking on the streets that great men have walked on. Things that are mythic become more real,” Duncan said. “It is inspiring because these big, great men become smaller and real, giving me hope that I can one day too be great, inspirational, or make an impact.”

Four other groups of students have taken trips led by Duncan after the completion of this course, but he said there is always something new for him to learn or witness with each trip.

Miller said the act of traveling outside the United States is itself an important educational experience for students.

“There are so many layers of history overseas. We have the opportunity to see these amazing past historical figures as people in reality,” she said.

Miller emphasized that the purpose of the trip is to help students feel the impact of the thoughts of important historical figures and learn how they have shaped the context for our beliefs.

“We are able to relate to the past and see the effects of the future,” Miller said.

Duncan said the trip will also include visits to

several important historical sites including the Berlin Wall and the Holocaust Monument entitled “The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.” Additionally, students will have free time to explore areas that pique their interest as well as try exotic foods and meet people who live in the countries they visit.

Ann Themistocleous, director of international programs at AU, said the course is just one of many offered each year that give students the opportunity to travel. Most trips are taken after the fall and spring semesters, or during Spring Break.

“The study abroad programs here at Anderson University are created for students to get out of the bubble of Anderson and Anderson University. So many students here have only experienced South Carolina and are consumed with the community of Anderson University,” Themistocleous said. “Although these two things are very beneficial, it is also good for Anderson students to experience the world, meet new people, and learn about new cultures.”