In a unique position

TU set to begin new trauma studies minor, building on its own location and history

Five years ago, University of Tulsa scholars began seriously exploring how the city and campus communities could effectively learn from historic tragedies such as the Tulsa Race Massacre and the Trail of Tears. With ample support from TU’s president, provost and about 20 faculty members, this gem of an idea has has grown into a proposal for a new minor with promising research opportunities for undergraduates.

Earlier this year, the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded TU a $150,000 grant for its two-year project to develop coursework as part of the project titled Historical Trauma and Transformation: A Place-Based Humanities Minor. The project is spearheaded by Associate Professor of Psychology Lisa Cromer and Mary Frances Barnard Professor of 19th-Century American History Kristen Oertel, who work with the TU Institute of Trauma, Adversity and Injustice (TITAN). The new minor will use place-based learning to cultivate a deep understanding of American and world history by exploring how collective trauma and the subsequent responses have shaped society and institutional structures. Students can begin enrolling in the minor in spring 2024.

“TITAN has long been on the leading edge of trauma-focused interdisciplinary scholarship and providing this educational opportunity at the undergraduate level will have far-reaching impacts,” said Cromer, executive director of the institute and lead on the project.

“A key aspect of this unique program is a Summer Faculty Training Institute that will bring trauma-focused, culturally humble teaching approaches to courses that are in the minor’s curriculum.”

The historical trauma and transformation program will engage students through meaningful class discussions, hands-on research with archival materials and excursions to museums and historic sites. Courses will examine contemporary social structures, values and beliefs within the context of their roots that include a history of racism, colonization, forced migration and/or genocide.

“We are leveraging our strengths in history, psychology, English literature, anthropology, sociology, art, philosophy, religion, and media studies to offer students a truly interdisciplinary approach to studying the various ways humans have suffered, endured and triumphed over trauma,” Oertel said. “The University of Tulsa is uniquely positioned to become a leader in the study of historical trauma and transformation because we are located at the juncture of significant historical events like the Tulsa Race Massacre and the forced removal of dozens of Native American tribes to this region.”

Reuben Gant, executive director of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation, said his organization “looks forward to bringing attention to and constructively addressing historical trauma and its impacts on community for generations. This initiative will enhance the understanding of our community’s history and provide insight into the lingering effects of trauma on society.”

Students will use trauma theory and an understanding of historical and intergenerational trauma transmission to address present-day problems. Students will also learn how people and cultures survive, thrive and transform trauma as they shape societal change.

“While the trauma studies field is growing nationwide at the graduate level,” Oertel said, “we believe we are the only university in the world that is creating an undergraduate program that is humanitiesbased, and we are excited to provide this opportunity for research and place-based learning to our students.”

African-American

Tulsa

Cromer commented that she has never led a project that was so well received by so many partners on and off campus. “This program is so needed, and every community partner we approached was eager to participate,” she said.

“This new minor will create opportunities for not only critical thinking for our students, but for creative and innovative thinking. Students will be challenged to mix theories from different disciplines. We will get to know our past in new ways by exploring through different lenses,” Cromer said. “We want students to show us what we can’t see because our past experiences create different lenses for us.

“It’s about wrestling with and reconciling the past and really charting a path forward for healing and hope.”

(Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.)