OLDHAM COUNTY HIGH

Class on terror planned
History teacher cites relevance

By Daarel Burnette II
dburnette@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

After teaching students about the Civil War, World War I and II and the Great Depression, Oldham County High School history teacher Tim Anderson wanted to offer a course that was a little more timely.

This spring, he'll teach a course on terrorism, a topic that he says is important to today's teenagers.

"Terrorism is as relevant now if not more than ever before because it's going on now," he said. "It's not just taking place on television. It affects everyone."

Thirty students -- mostly juniors and seniors -- have signed up for the class.

"Terrorism is what's more important to me," said Mark Grieshaber, a 17-year-old senior who took Anderson's World War II class.

Principal David Weedman said he encourages classes that students can relate to.

"I'm fascinated with lively class discussions where there are a lot of questions and answers," he said.

At the end of each school year, Weedman said, the student body is surveyed on what electives would interest them.

Anderson, a master sergeant in the Army Reserve, said he has long had an interest in foreign policy and has looked for ways to incorporate that into his classes.

Anderson hasn't decided what books or articles he will use. But he said he will structure the class around the history of terrorism, radical Islamic fundamentalism, and what has led to what the Bush administration calls "the war on terror."

He said he will cover the period from post-World War II to today and will touch on topics like the overthrow of the shah of Iran in 1979. He said he's received advice from a professor at West Point who teaches a similar class.

"How did terrorists come to land on our doorstep on 9/11?" he said. "A lot of students don't understand why they attacked us on 9/11 or why we went into Afghanistan."

Students who signed up for the class said they enjoy Anderson's teaching style.

"He's real with us. He's on our level," said Wesley Combs, a 17-year-old senior.

Combs said Anderson engages students to make the learning more exciting.

Other students said they wanted to know more about terrorism.

"There are more bad things happening and we have to be aware of it," said Amanda Newman, a 17-year-old senior who also signed up for the class. "We also need to know why it's happening."

Reporter Daarel Burnette II can be reached at (502) 582-4241.

Return to top