Student to research plantation life
SWU History Professor Michael Keaton, right, will be working with student Zach Ford on upcoming research of plantations in the South. Ford received funding for his upcoming research on plantations in the Southeastern United States.
This summer, a Southern Wesleyan University student will explore in detail plantation life in the Southern United States during pre-Civil War times.
The proposal, submitted by Zach Ford, a junior history major from Landis, N.C., was approved for $2,999 in funding after being selected by an evaluation team with the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) for the Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Program.
Ford will travel throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia to study various plantations with the goal of gaining insight into one of American history’s most controversial times. This research trip is part of his honors project, titled “Moonlight and Magnolia: A History of the Southern Plantation.” Ford will study every aspect of the southern plantation system: the “great house,” the crops, the planter’s family and the lives of their slaves.
“Plantations were not carbon copies; Zach’s research should provide an insight into how various factors – such as geographic location, farming conditions and local culture – wove a unique pattern of life into each specific plantation,” said Michael Keaton, professor of history.
Accompanying Ford will be students from SWU’s Media Communication department, who will photograph and film plantations and compile the images and footage into a documentary which will be presented at the SCICU Symposium in the spring of 2016.
The purpose of the Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Program is to engage students in professionally guided primary research, which will develop critical thinking, inquiry and communication skills. The funding makes it possible for researchers to earn a stipend, while being able to purchase equipment and pay participants. Southern Wesleyan has had students receive the grants consistently since 2004.
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.