Many Americans think Lewis and Clark were sent west simply to explore the newly-acquired Louisiana Purchase. In fact, the Lewis and Clark Expedition was part of an international contest to control North America and exploit its wealth and an important part of Thomas Jefferson's plan for the development of the United States and the future of its Native American population.

Dr. Dan Thorp of Virginia Tech explores the nature of earlier European activities in the North American West and how they shaped the timing and nature of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Jytte Klausen of Brandeis University and Michael Radu of the FPRI Center on Terrorism, Counter-Terrorism, and Homeland Security discuss the history and identity of Islam and Muslims in Europe, examining the differences in identity, political activity, and acceptance of Muslims in Europe and in the U.S.

Audio and video options are available.

Jacques deLisle of the University of Pennsylvania explores legal interactions between the West and China from the 19th century onwards. This lecture was conducted for "China's Encounter with the West: A History Institute for Teachers," held on March 1-2, 2008. The event was sponsored by the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Wachman Center and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program, and held at UTC.

Audio and video options are available.

Warren I. Cohen of the University of Maryland discusses the rise of U.S. and Chinese power on the international stage. He emphasizes the fact that China's rise is not the region's first assumption of prominence on the global level—and that the original Chinese empire was, as were Western empires, based on conquest and racism. He notes that China will likely wield its power in opposition to the U.S., just as the U.S. has opposed other global powers in the past—and that the economic future of China is still in doubt. This lecture was conducted for "China's Encounter with the West: A History Institute for Teachers," held on March 1-2, 2008. The event was sponsored by the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Wachman Center and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program, and held at UTC.

Audio and video options are available.

Lucien Ellington of the University of Tennessee and Paul Dickler of the Foreign Research Policy Institute discuss aspects of China's relationship with the West. They focus on the economic dynamism of China, and end with a question-and-answer session. This lecture was conducted for "China's Encounter with the West: A History Institute for Teachers," held on March 1-2, 2008. The event was sponsored by the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Wachman Center and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program, and held at UTC.

Audio and video options are available.

Thomas G. Rawski of the University of Pittsburgh examines aspects of economic development in China and the relationship of these developments to the West. This lecture was conducted for "China's Encounter with the West: A History Institute for Teachers," held on March 1-2, 2008. The event was sponsored by the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Wachman Center and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program, and held at UTC.

Audio and video options are available.

Edward Friedman of the University of Wisconsin explores historical cultural exchange between the West and China. This lecture was conducted for "China's Encounter with the West: A History Institute for Teachers," held on March 1-2, 2008. The event was sponsored by the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Wachman Center and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program, and held at UTC.

Audio and video options are available.

Andrew Wilson of the U.S. Naval War College examines China's relationship with the U.S.—first in the 20th and 19th centuries, and then in the 18th back through the 16th centuries. This lecture was conducted for "China's Encounter with the West: A History Institute for Teachers," held on March 1-2, 2008. The event was sponsored by the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Wachman Center and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Asia Program, and held at UTC.

Audio and video options are available.

Professor John Moser considers the foreign policy of Woodrow Wilson, looking at his attempts to interject idealism into international affairs and whether these were naive or legitimate efforts.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, July 15th, 9:00 am-10:30 am session; and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Professor John Moser examines U.S. foreign policy and involvement during the 1920s, considering whether the claim that the country retreated into isolationism during this period is accurate or not.

To listen to this lecture, scroll down to 10:50 am-12:20 pm on Wednesday, July 14th. This should be the lecture "Balance of Power in the 1920s." Click on the Real Audio image or text in the gray bar to the left of the main text.