Baylor Lights: Julie Anne Sweet

August 1, 2018

History helps establish a sense of place — where you are, what happened there, how you can contribute to its future, said Dr. Julie Anne Sweet, professor of history. “It exposes you to the wide variety of cultural and religious traditions that surround us. Someone should study history to understand who they are, where they came from and where they are today. From that, they can discern how they can contribute to the future on a personal level and beyond,” she added, noting history has a lot to teach.
At Baylor since 2002, Sweet shares about her creative approach to the classroom.
What do you love about history?
I love the personal stories. When people ask me what I do, I say I tell stories for a living, both as a teacher and a scholar. I have to remind my students that when I tell them about some of the outrageous people and events from history, that they really happened that way. I am not creative enough to make those stories up!
How does the light of Jesus shine bright in the work you’re called to do at Baylor?
I think about that verse where we are admonished not to hide our light, or talent, under a bushel. My light, or talent, is to teach, and so I use my light to teach people about history, its stories and its lessons. I have to admit, though, there are times I would love to hide that light under a bushel because it’s a lot of work to prepare all those lesson plans. In the end, I pray for guidance and assistance to do the best I can and know that He will show me the way.
What are some of the creative ways you teach your students about history?
The most creative way is to dress in period costume. It helps students understand and appreciate what people physically could and could not do. For instance, a colonial housewife traditionally wore at least two layers of full-length petticoats. Imagine trying to cook over an open hearth, clean a house and care for children. We also recreate our own Tidwell Tea Party at the Tidwell Bible Building, and, sometimes, I even get all the students to participate.
What interesting historical artifacts do you own?My favorite historical item right now is my replica 1742 flintlock musket. I can tell them all the facts about the battles of the American Revolution, but until I show them how and why it unfolded the way it did with that particular weapon, it usually doesn’t make a lot of sense. Plus, nothing holds attention like demonstrating how an old-fashioned firearm works.
What would you say to someone who might be trying to decide whether or not to pursue a degree in history?
That you can get a job! You have to like to read, research and write. You get to read about interesting people, places and events. Even better, you get to research historical questions or mysteries, kind of like an investigative reporter chasing out the facts but looking at past events instead of present ones.
What are some of the future career fields your students might one day enter?
While teaching on all levels is the obvious one, some students go into the legal field while others do what we call public history where they make history accessible to the public through museums, living history sites, archives and more. Some go into the military and use what they learned from historical battles and leaders in their own military careers. I get many business students who minor in history. They end up learning valuable leadership lessons and economic trends that they may not have picked up in a traditional business class.
What would surprise someone to learn about you?I was a double major as an undergraduate at Notre Dame in history and theater. I did technical theater like sets and costumes, which explains a little bit about my approach to teaching, but I adamantly refused to act on stage because I get terrible stage fright. I still do. How ironic is that for a teacher?