Hidden History

Join an apprenticeship in reconstructing the past and documenting the present through the disciplinary lens of history and Native American studies. Become an investigator exploring the lost stories, forgotten voices, and hidden past of Oregon’s Native American history across the state and on the UO campus. Through original research in archives, oral interviews in the community, and student-created outputs (e.g. photography, videos, maps) you will contribute new knowledge to the campus project – “Untold Stories: The Hidden History of the University of Oregon.” You will enjoy the exciting opportunity to study Native American history and literature by participating in two immersive, role-playing games in History 211 and reading historic Native American literature in ENG 244.

"It kind of feels like you're there, even though you're in a classroom."

- UO Student Daniel Berger on his experience within his Reacting to the Past course.


Students explore the intersection of topics by taking the following course package:

HIST 199 FYE Seminar - FIG Seminar, 1-credit

HIST 211 Reacting to the Past - CoreEd or major satisfying course, 4-credits

This term we will play two Reacting to the Past games: Forest Diplomacy: War, Peace, and Land on the Colonial Frontier, 1756-1757, and Red Clay, 1835: Cherokee Removal and the Meaning of Sovereignty. The coupling of Forest Diplomacy and Red Clay offers several benefits for students as both learners of history and game players. Reacting to the Past is an award-winning series of immersive role-playing games that actively engage students in their own learning. Students assume the roles of historical characters and practice critical thinking, primary source analysis, and argument, both written and spoken. Reacting games are flexible enough to be used across the curriculum, from first-year general education classes and discussion sections of lecture classes to capstone experiences and honors programs.

ENG 244 Introduction to Native American Literature - CoreEd or major satisfying course, 4-credits

This introductory course analyzes several key works of Native American literature and culture from the early 20th century to the present, focusing on the ways Native peoples' engagements with European colonization shape cultural forms and content. In addition to exploring these connections between culture and politics, we will consider the role of traditions and issues of gender in Native writing as well as the ways the assigned works engage stereotypes of and popular narratives about Native peoples. Our analyses will cover a broad range of materials including novels, plays, essays, manifestoes, poems, and films.