Sally Miller's CV
Sally Miller was a prolific author and researcher during her time at Pacific. This CV from 1988 lists her present position, academic background, honors, awards, teaching experience, publications, professional conference participation, works in progress, directory lisitings, memberships, consultancies, references, course offereings, and University committee service.
Of special importance is her list of course offerings. Three students mention the special impact of her courses on their college lives and studies. She was known as a skilled professor for both her teaching and research.
The courses listed in this CV include:
The Progressive Era (The Emergence of Modern U.S.)
Immigration (and Labor) History
Women's History (U.S.)
U.S. Intellectual History
She saw many changes in classes, curriculum, and programs during her time at Pacific. Some of these changes can still be seen today. Even back in the 70s Pacific was making changes to their freshman introductory courses. Classes known as CORE classes today were in the early stages of being implemented when Miller arrived at Pacific. The classes were called I&I or Innovation and Imagination classes. They were meant to be a unique introduction for freshmen to the collge experience that reached beyond typical student responsiblities. Miller was not sure if these classes really worked, but she liked the idea behind it.
During Miller's time at Pacific there was a winter term offered where students could take just one class in January and work more closely with faculty, take educational fieldtrips, or study abroad. Miller often brought her students to talk to editors and journalists from foreign language newspapers in San Francisco. Unfortunately, not all students took these terms seriously and the school removed this feature after about five years.
Sally Miller devloped a course in Urban History. Urban studies was even a major and her Urban History class was very popular, over 70 students enrolled popular. Miller says in her Emerita interview that "...history didn't tend to enroll that way. You were often happy to have 30 and later at some point we were happy to have 20..."
Miller was the only woman in the department and she developed women's history and women's studies classes. Unfortunately, the University administration did not beleive they could afford a full women's studies program and it became a minor. Miller was the informal coordinator for the women's studies minor. Still, Miller was intent on these courses succeding. She brought unique programing like speakers and films to the disciplne to enrich the student experience and support classes that she beleived in.
When Miller arrived at Pacific it was a heavily male dominated institution. This did not change much until professors in Miller's generation began to retire because there was not much hiring going on at all in the Liberal Arts. While some more women were hired during Miller's time at Pacific, it was not enough.