Most people hate history. Why? Because we all remember high school, which went something like this:

• Monday's lecture: We should have won the game.
• Tuesday's lecture: Plans to win Friday's game part 1.
• Wednesday's lecture: Plans to win Friday's game part 2.
• Thursday's lecture: Tonight's pep rally.
• Friday's lecture: We're going to win the game.

Let's face it, we all had high school history under Coach Whomever, and Coach Whomever wasn't paid according to whether you understood history. He was paid to win games.

I'm not a coach. History is what I do for a living. And you can make a good living at it. Now that historic preservation is the word of the day, there are all kinds of jobs involving history. So you might say that my history courses are a kind of job training.

I follow the book (more or less), but there are a lot of other things that work there way in, to try and liven things up a little bit. Personally, I don't care if you know the date of something or not. I'm not generally going to ask you because if I want to know the date, I'll look it up myself. I do want you to understand what it's all about. In my History I course, for example, I go heavy into Indians and into Spain. After all, this was Spanish terrritory. Then we look at all the problems Spain had with France and England, to show how it was tied in with the British colonies, and so on.

In my History II, I look at westward expansion, Indian Wars, etc., as well as relations with other countries. I try to show how we are still being affected by events that happened a long time ago--and we are particularly affected at tax time. I also like little pieces of historic trivia. For example DID YOU KNOW.... That according to the Maya calendar, the world as we know it will end on December 23, 2012? That means we've only got 24 years to plan the end-of-the-world party!

I was born in the Valley. When I was growing up, we divided our time between here and Mexico. I speak both languages, and do very well in both countries.

I didn't go back to school until I was past 40. Up until then, I made do with the 11th grade and a GED. So believe me, I know what it's like to juggle a job, family and school, especially if you're older. You'll find me rather easy going on that score PROVIDED you are doing your best and not just messing around.

I also do a bit of writing. I know most of the leading historians, and most of the material that's out there. So if you run into a problem with the course work, just ask. I'm being paid to help you, and what's more, I like to help you.

I have a BLS from St. Edward's University in Austin, and an MA from the University of Texas-Pan American. My specialty is the American West, but I'm also interested in a lot of other things.

At various times in my life, I have been a sailor, aviation mechanic, photographer, newspaper reporter and editor, and consultant. I am now into teaching because I happen to like it, and more than that, I like working with students.

I like hunting, sailboats, sports cars, horses, and parties.

I have one daughter, two grandsons, and a cocker spaniel.

E-mail Address: robinson@southtexascollege.edu