Over My Dead Body: Unearthing the Hidden History of America’s Cemeteries
Greg Melville taught English at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was the lone recipient of the school’s Apgar Award for Teaching Excellence in 2019. An author and journalist, Melville’s writing has appeared in top publications including Men’s Health, National Geographic Traveler, and The New York Times. He is the author of the acclaimed environmental book Greasy Rider, as well as his most recent work Over My Dead Body: Unearthing the Hidden History of America’s Cemeteries.
Overview
Cemeteries offer an unfiltered perspective on American history, regarding race, religion, art, economics, public health, war, culture, and pop culture. But in many respects, they’re dying — due to the rise of cremations, demand for space, lack of resources, and even erasure. This course will take students on a through-the-centuries tour of American burial grounds, from Jamestown in Virginia to the future, infinite realm of digital immortality.