HIST 4800A 01: Topic: Dark Tourism

HIST 4800A - Topic: Dark Tourism

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43887,

Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Amy Laurel Fluker

Professional Qualifications:
PhD, US History, University of Mississippi (2015)
MA, US History, University of Mississippi (2010)
BA, History, Westminster College (Missouri) (2008)

Distinguished Associate Professor

Email: alfluker@ysu.edu

Office: DeBartolo 519

Office Phone: 330-941-1602

Preferred Contact Method: YSU email

Communication Expectations:
All communication should be via YSU email. Expect prompt responses during working hours; allow for delayed response times during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Assignments should be returned to students within two weeks of submission. NOTE: I have both a duty of care and a legal responsibility to share information critical to your health, safety, and support. Be aware that any communications indicating self-harm, intention to self-harm, sex or gender-based discrimination or abuse, etc. will be shared with the appropriate university personnel.

How to Refer to me:
Dr. Fluker; Dr. F

Laura Beadling

Professional Qualifications:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and English
Bowling Green State University 1995
Master's of English
Purdue University 2002
Ph.D in American Studies
Purdue University 2007

Professor and Chair

Email: llbeadling@ysu.edu

Office: DeBartolo 206

Office Phone: 330 9413414

Preferred Contact Method: Email

Communication Expectations:
I generally respond to emails within 1-2 business days.

I generally return work within 10 days of submission. Submissions that are received by the deadline get substantial feedback. Late submissions receive minimal feedback, although I am happy to provide more during office hours.

How to Refer to me:
Dr. Beadling or Dr. B

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Dr. Fluker Professional Qualifications:
PhD, US History, University of Mississippi (2015)
MA, US History, University of Mississippi (2010)
BA, History, Westminster College (Missouri) (2008)

Office: DeBartolo 519

Office Phone: 330-941-1602

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Course Description

4800A. Topic: Dark Tourism. In-depth investigation of a selected topic in History including, but not limited to political, social, economic, environmental, technological, or cultural issues. 3 s.h.

ENGL 3770. American Literature in Historical Perspective. Poetry, prose, drama, and other forms of literary expression examined within the context of a specific aspect of American social, intellectual, and cultural history. May be repeated once with different topic.

NOTE: Course may be contracted for honors credit. See us to discuss options.

Course Readings

Group Title Author ISBN
Required More Weight Ben Wickey 9781603095600
Required Tales from the Haunted South Tiya Miles 9781469636146
Required In Cold Blood Truman Capote 9780141182575

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.  

Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

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Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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Grading and Grading Scale

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University Policies

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Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Day Date Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
Tue 8/25 Introduction
Thu 8/27 What is Dark Tourism?
Tue 9/1 Wickey, Chp. 1-7 Tragedy Tourism
Thu 9/3 Wickey, Chp. 8-13 How to read a graphic novel QUIZ 1
Tue 9/8 Wickey, Chp. 14-19 Salem Witch Crisis
Thu 9/10 Wickey, Chp. 20-22 Salem in Memory QUIZ 2
FRI 9/11: Mansfield Field Trip
Tue 9/15 Wickey, Chp. 23-24 Salem Roundtable TRIP NOTES 1
Thu 9/17 Wickey, Outro Tragedy Tourism Wrap-up
Tue 9/22 EXAM 1
Thu 9/24 Battlefield Tourism
Tue 9/29 Battlefield Preservation
Thu 10/1 Indigenous Perspectives
Tue 10/6 Disaster Tourism
Thu 10/8 Willey House SUN 10/11: USHMM Trip (optional)
Tue 10/13 9/11
Thu 10/15 Oceangate FRI 10/16: Warren Ghost Walk
Tue 10/20 EXAM 2
Thu 10/22 Miles, p. 1-47 Thanatourism FRI 10/23: Warren Ghost Walk
Tue 10/27 Miles, p. 48-79 Plantation Tourism QUIZ 3
Thu 10/29 Miles, p. 80-114 Ghost Tourism - Trum Co DARK TOURISM BROCHURE
Tue 11/3 Miles, p. 115-132 Ghost Tourism, con't QUIZ 4
Thu 11/5 EXAM 3
Tue 11/10 Capote, Book 1 Macabre Tourism
Thu 11/12 Capote, Book 2 Emergence of True Crime as a genre SAT 11/14: Titanic Exhibit Trip
Tue 11/17 Capote, Book 3 New Journalism TRIP NOTES 3
Thu 11/19 Capote, Book 3 con't Capote (1967) QUIZ 5
Tue 11/24 Capote, Book 4 Capote (1967)
Thu 11/26 No Class
Tue 12/1 Capote, Book 4 con't Dahmer Tourism QUIZ 6
Thu 12/3 EXAM 4
Tue 12/8 No Class
Thu 12/10 Fri 12/11 15:15-17:15 MULTIMEDIA PROJECT & PRESENTATION

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.