Making Meaning of May 4: The Kent State Shootings in American History - Free Course

a free community course

Stay tuned for future dates. 

May 4 Visitors Center (map)

Registration for this course is closed.

This course will provide fact-based information about the events leading up to, during and in the aftermath of the May 4, 1970, shootings. Participants are encouraged to draw their own conclusions from the facts as they participate in discussion of the class materials. Please note that you must attend all three sessions of the course. 

Free for residents in Northeast Ohio.

Course Instructors

Amoaba Gooden May 4 Making Meaning Free Community Course Kent State UniversityAmoaba Gooden

Amoaba Gooden is the current chair and an associate professor in the Department of Pan-African Studies at Kent State University. She is currently working on an oral history project that documents the voices of black students at Kent State during the late 1960s and the early 1970s. 

Laura Davis May 4 Making Meaning Free Community Course Kent State UniversityLaura Davis

Laura Davis, who witnessed the Kent State shootings, is a professor emeritus of English at Kent State University and co-creator and founding director of the May 4 Visitors Center. Her additional work to promote understanding of May 4th history includes books, appearances in documentaries, teaching hundreds of students and leading the process to have the site preserved as a National Historic Landmark. 

Additional Course Information

About the 50th Commemoration

Throughout the Fall of 2019 and Spring of 2020, Kent State University will observe the historic 50th commemoration of the events of May 4, 1970. The year-long observance will culminate with a special weekend of events and the annual commemoration May 1 through May 4, 2020. 

For more information and a calendar of events visit the 50th Commemoration page.

© 2020 Kent State University All rights reserved.