Being Human, Being American, Being Equal

Description

Professor Christopher Flannery examines the ideals and values associated with being "American," what those ideals mean, and where they originated. Flannery looks at the founding documents of the United States and the positions of the Founding Fathers and of other notable figures throughout U.S. history.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Monday, August 2nd, 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.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.

Identifying Ideas and Traditions in American Foreign Policy

Description

Professors John Moser and Jeremi Suri overview several schools of foreign policy: republicanism, nationalism, balance of power, and Wilsonianism. They also review what is meant by foreign policy in general.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the first session, and select either the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

Introduction to Historical Thinking

Description

Professors Ronald J. Pestritto and Lance Robinson review the historical sources from which political progressives drew and developed their ideas, including G.W.F. Hegel (1770-1831). They also look also at how education shaped the thought of progressives.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to session two, and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.

Constitutional Interpretation

Description

Professor David Forte looks at the U.S. Constitution and its interpretation, focusing on how Supreme Court Justices have interpreted it—and their own role in lawmaking—throughout U.S. history.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, July ninth, 7:30 pm guest lecture; and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.

Religion and Government

Description

Professor David Forte discusses the relationship between religion, government, and law, focusing on the religious base of the U.S. government and the religious base of Islamic states.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, July ninth, 4:30 pm guest lecture; and select the RealAudio link to the left of the main body of text.

Presidential Greatness

Description

Professor Sidney Milkis talks about what U.S. citizens have historically considered "greatness" in presidents, and their desire to be led by such "great" figures. Milkis asks what qualities define this "greatness."

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Wednesday, June 19th, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm session; and select the RealAudio image or link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

National Archives and Records Administration: Mid Atlantic Region [PA]

Description

NARA's Mid Atlantic regional archives holds federal records dating from as early as 1790 and pertaining to the states of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Areas of emphasis include 1790 through 1800, the Civil War, the World Wars, civil rights, maritime history, industrialization, graphic arts, agriculture, national parks, legal history, popular culture, inventions, and the 1876 Centennial exposition in Philadelphia.

In addition to access to these holdings, the archives offers free public programs on a variety of topics, such as the United States Colored Troops (USCT) history and using local library map collections. Do not be discouraged by the heading "Genealogical Events," as many of the listed programs do not in fact have a genealogical focus. Other options include off-site lectures on customizable topics and both permanent and rotating physical museum exhibits.

Web exhibits explore the influence of Benjamin Franklin and documents related specifically to slavery.

The archives also offer research assistance for students and workshops for educators.

National Archives and Records Administration: Northeast Region [MA, NY] aharmon Thu, 04/22/2010 - 17:10
Description

The Northeast branch of the National Archives provides access to historic documents from the states of New York, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, in addition to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Research can be conducted at two main locations in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York City, as well as within a microfilm research area in Pittsfield, Massacusetts (Silvio O. Conte National Records Center, 10 Conte Drive).

The Boston/Waltham Location

The Boston-area archives holds documents from 1780 to present pertaining to the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts. Records include, but are not limited to, census and naturalization records, Dawes Commission final cards of the Five Civilized Tribes, Chinese Exclusion cases, and passenger arrival lists.

Waltham, Massachusetts

Topics of emphasis within the collection include port commerce, desegregation, War of 1812, the Amistad case, naval stations, lighthouses, the Chinese Exclusion Act, MIT and Harvard World War II research projects, and arms manufacturing. With so much information at your fingertips, a pre-visit look through the available finding aids may be a wise time investment.

Interested in researching military records or conducting genealogical research? Access a listing of upcoming genealogical workshops. All workshops are free, but require advance registration.

Just for Students and Educators, Boston/Waltham

Earn PD points by attending five free, monthly Thursday night programs for educators, or attend other in-service teaching with document programs. Access the calendar to plan which events to attend. Large groups can request that workshops be conducted at their own location.

In the Boston area? Plan a free, hands-on archival field trip for your class, be it kindergarten or high school. Programs are customizable, designed to meet state curriculum standards, and include a behind-the-scenes tour. Example programs address the 54th Mass. Colored Regiment, the Revolutionary War, Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson, the Constitution, and migration and immigration. Please schedule ahead. The site is handicap-accessible and contains a lunchroom.

The phone and fax numbers to the left are for the Boston/Waltham location.

The NYC Location

The New York City location holds documents from 1695 through the 1990s pertaining to New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Online finding aids are an excellent way of determining whether or not the archives may have the type of documents which you desire.

New York City

The archives offers an extensive series of public programs, including tours conducted upon request, open houses, and workshops. Workshop topics can include census records, Chinese Americans, customs records, maritime history, Civil War prize cases, and more.

Just for Students and Educators, New York City

Attend free professional development workshops appropriate for teachers (including home school teachers) and administrators.

Consider ordering a free CD correlating the contents of Our Documents to New Jersey and New York educational standards.

You can also schedule K-12 field trips complete with hands-on research and tours of the archives' facility.

Online Resources

The Northeast archives hosts a collection of online exhibits, ranging in topic from the real life von Trapp family to the Slocum tragedy.

Finally, download packets consisting of documents, transcriptions, related questions and activities, and information on how the topic relates to the standards. Teachable Texts is upgraded regularly.

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