PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY: The First World War, Class 4

April 25, 2017
7:00pm - 7:00pm

Class 4: West Virginia in the Great War

This class will focus on the boom to the coal industry, the temporary peace between the UMWA and the coal operators, the development of new industries for war production, especially in the Kanawha River Valley, and the role of soldiers from the state.  In particular we will look at a sample of soldiers’ experiences from the coalfields and the unique experience of African-Americans from McDowell County (in particular the town of Kimball).

Instructor: Dr. Hal Gorby

Dr. Gorby is Teaching Assistant Professor and Director Undergraduate Advising at West Virginia University where he teaches West Virginia and Appalachian History and Immigration/ Ethnic History U.S. Working Class 20th Century U.S. He earned his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from West Virginia University.

In keeping with the mission of public libraries as sanctuaries of free learning for all people, the Ohio County Public Library created The People’s University, a free program for adults who wish to continue their education in the liberal arts. The People’s University features courses—taught by experts in each subject—that enable patrons to pursue their goal of lifelong learning in classic subjects such as history, philosophy, and literature.