Ohio’s intense history still resonates in today’s society, certifying it as one of America’s most influential states. The “Ohio and the World” lecture series, in conjunction with an Ohio history class, will explore the state’s past and debate its future impact upon peer states and the world.

Two Ohio State professors have joined forces to coordinate not only a seven-part lecture series featuring distinguished scholars from across the country, but also an OSU history course analyzing Ohio and its contributions.

“The 500-level class (History 598N02) is open to all students with advanced standing. Videotapes from the lecture series serve as part of the class, and therefore, each lecture will be held at the same time each week,” said Richard Sisson, professor of political science, who parented the lecture series and history course with Geoffrey Parker, professor of history.

The “Ohio and the World” lecture series will be incorporated into the spring quarter history seminar. Both commemorate the state’s bicentennial.

“I would consider taking the class since a lot of stuff has happened in Ohio, like the French and Indian War, aviation and astronauts,” said Frankie Aguila, a sophomore in pharmaceutical sciences.

“Sisson and Parker started planning (the lecture series and history class) in November of 2002. They brainstormed an educational way to complement Ohio’s bicentennial,” said Elizabeth Lantz, program assistant at the Ohio Humanities Institute.

The lectures, aimed for mass availability, will be broadcast online, videotaped and published in text format. Furthermore, Sisson and Parker will partner with major historical societies in the area, promoting the lectures’ rich content.

“All the lecturers have received distinguished speaking awards,” Sisson said. The seven speakers will lend diverse and cultured standpoints regarding their lecture subject.

All lectures will be held on campus, except for the headliner. R. W. Apple Jr., associate editor of The New York Times, will kick off the lecture series at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium, probing a multitude of facets which make Ohio, in his opinion, “the most characteristic American state.”

University System of Maryland’s chancellor and former OSU President William “Brit” Kirwan will conclude the series, delivering a futuristic take on Ohio circa 2053.

“The lectures will address Ohio in 50-year intervals, beginning at 1753,” Sisson said.

The speakers, five of whom are history professors from renowned universities, also include OSU professor emeritus of political science Herb Asher.

“The topic I will discuss is interesting and important, and I think it will be a lot of fun,” Asher said.

Asher will address Ohio’s transition from a political powerhouse at the turn of the 20th century to its fragile status today, struggling to stabilize leadership and politics.

“What I’m hoping to do is discuss where Ohio is now and what important choices it must make today, ultimately affecting the state’s future vitality,” he said.

The lecture series will instill students and citizens with a greater appreciation for Ohio’s previous contributions and a more detailed understanding of where Ohio is now, Asher said.

Following each lecture, the guest speaker will converse with high school and college students as well as fellow scholars. Highlighted lectures topics include Ohio’s peace and war, controversial social issues, industry and technology and Ohio’s progress relative to other states.

Richard Sisson, Board of Trustees chairman in comparative politics at OSU, received his first two degrees at OSU, eventually earning his political science doctorate at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1993, Sisson served as senior vice president and provost of OSU, eventually becoming the university’s interim president.

Geoffrey Parker, who hails from Nottingham, England, earned several degrees at Cambridge University, including his doctorate. Parker joined the OSU’s Department of History in 1997, specializing in military and European history. He has penned many works, most notably “The Military Revolution” in 1988.

Furthermore, Sisson teamed with Chris Zacher, OSU professor of English and director of the Institute for Collaborative Research and Public Humanities, to complete a bicentennial edition of the “Encyclopedia of the Midwest,” slated to be published in 2005.

“One of the most challenging aspects of the production has been keeping the focus of every article on the region rather than on individual states of the Midwest and avoiding any Ohio bias as much as we can,” Zacher said.

As the encyclopedia’s general editor, Sisson garnered contributions from more than 700 authorities. OSU, the encyclopedia’s leading sponsor, collaborated and received support from the Ohio Bicentennial Commission and the Ohio Humanities Institute.

“With 1,600 pages on the Midwest, Ohio figures predominantly throughout the encyclopedia’s 24 sections,” Sisson said.