An assistant professor of history from the University of Rochester who teaches courses on modern East Asia, the Chinese Revolution, Tibet, the Samurai, and the Korean War, has been named to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s first-ever list of Teaching Innovators.
Dahpon Ho, who is known for having students reenact battle scenes, conduct “rocket” tests, and write propaganda campaigns to try to bring the era of the Korean War to life, says his teaching style helps students relate more personally to history. He also has invited area veterans of the Korean War to visit his classes.
“Students have to feel that they’re part of the historical community,” Ho tells the Chronicle. “If history is fossilized, it will perish.”
The list of teaching innovators will be highlighted in a special October section of the Chronicle, a national publication recognized for its coverage of higher education. The supplement recognizes faculty at universities who use “fresh approaches in their classrooms to help their students succeed.”
Ho’s department chair agrees. “Professor Ho is a truly innovative teacher, who finds the most original ways to make history come alive for students,” says Matt Lenoe. “From doing oral history with Korean war veterans, to producing ‘propaganda films’ for the North and South Korean regimes, to staging the funeral of ‘The Great Leader,’ his students are always fully engaged in creative projects.”
To compile its list, the Chronicle asked for nominations from its readers, college teaching advocates, and higher-education leaders, with final selections made by Chronicle editors and reporters.
Ho joined Rochester’s faculty in 2010. He earned his PhD from the University of California at San Diego.
