Professor plays parts of historical characters
Ventura Star 5/9/07
Keith, founder of United Fruit Co., told 27 students about his experience building the railroad in Costa Rica, about how he introduced bananas to New Orleans and about how the tropical fruit became popular in the United States in only a few years.
Keith returned April 24 in the person of Macune, 68, a professor who teaches history by dressing up and portraying historical characters during his classes.
"I think students enjoy stories. I think storytelling is a great way to tell history," Macune said. "I think students find it amazing it's bad acting but good history."
Macune, a Thousand Oaks resident, began teaching almost 38 years ago, but it was in the 1980s that he discovered a different approach. The role-playing technique helps students better learn the material because with an image of a character, they can easily remember past events, facts and years, Macune said.
He first introduced his characters to the Boy Scouts in Thousand Oaks, where he started volunteering, and soon realized that he could do the same in his university classes.
For Raz Zaouk, a senior history major, Macune's teaching methods definitely help.
"It's kind of cool. It helps me remember the character when I'm looking at my notes," Zaouk said.
In his Survey of Latin America class, his characters come from many countries the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Peru, Argentina and different centuries.
In his Mexican history class, Macune teaches about the Mexican educational system by portraying Jose Vasconcelos, a writer and philosopher. Mathematician Sir Isaac Newton and Italian astronomer Galileo have visited his classes in previous semesters.
Even Spanish conquerors from the 15th century have dropped in.
"I got pretty shocked when he first dressed up," said Michaela Andrews, a sophomore. "It was funny, and that's how everyone remembers him, by his characters. It definitely helps me pay more attention, at least a little more."
Macune said students in previous classes have asked him to portray female characters, but he can't.
Some characters are more interesting to students than others, Macune said.
"Some of those who have action might be more interesting to students," Macune said, such as a former Zapatista leader in Mexico.
"He came dressed like a subcommandant. He looked kind of scary. He was wearing a mask," Zaouk said. "That character, it helped me because the guy is still around."
Macune served as the History Department's chairman for seven years and retired in 2005, but he continues to teach some classes.