Professor Clarence Walker looks at the possible relationship between Thomas Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemmings and how it can be interpreted and used to suggest an alternative racial origin of the United States—that is, an origin that was multiracial instead of mono-racial.
Professor Jennifer Spear reviews the life of free black woman Jacqueline Lemelle in 18th-century New Orleans. Spear uses Lemelle's life as a frame to discuss 18th-century race relations and 18th-century New Orleans.
Professor Caroline Cox reviews the life of activist Dorothea Dix (1802-1887), who fought for reform in the treatment of mental patients and served as Superintendent of Army Nurses during the Civil War. She focuses particularly on the difficulties in separating mythology and folklore from truth in tracing Dix's life. Cox also compares and contrasts Dix with the Grimke sisters, Sarah Grimke (1792-1873) and Angelina Grimke Weld (1805-1879), Quakers who worked for both abolition and women's rights.
Professor Caroline Cox reviews the life of Pocahontas, focusing on the difficulties in understanding Pocahontas's life from her own perspective and removing her life from the mythologies that have grown up around it.
Dr. Steven Mintz narrates a general overview of U.S. history, beginning with colonialism and the American Revolution. The presentation focuses on the themes of freedom and equality and the struggle by minorities for both.
To watch this video, scroll to "Flash Movies." From there, select "An Overview of American History."
Michael Ray narrates a basic overview of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). The presentation looks particularly at the union's founders and the government reaction to the growing strength of the IWW and includes clips of IWW propaganda.
Michael Ray narrates a basic introduction to the Puritan colonists in North America, emphasizing modern misunderstanding and stereotyping of Puritan beliefs and lifestyles.
Professor David Tucker discusses the role of religion in the founding of the United States, its views by the Founding Fathers, and historical perceptions of religion and its relationship with the ideal American citizen and government. He examines the temperance movement and Abraham Lincoln's response to it.
To listen to this lecture, scroll down to 4:30 pm-6:00 pm on Tuesday, August third. This should be the lecture "Religion and America." Click on the Real Audio image or text in the gray bar to the left of the main text.
An older version of the lecture can be found here.
Professor Diana Schaub compares and contrasts the writings and views of a number of civil rights and race relations writers and activists, including Stokely Carmichael (1941-1998), Charles V. Hamilton, Bell Hooks (born 1952), Shelby Steele (born 1946), and Ralph Ellison (1913-1994).
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August fifth, 10:50 am-12:15 pm session; and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.
An older version of this lecture can be found here.
Professors Lucas E. Morel and Diana Schaub discuss the Founding Fathers' intentions in drafting the founding documents of the United States and the views of slavery, freedom, and equality that may be taken from these documents.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to the first session, and select the corresponding RealAudio link to the left.
An older version of this lecture can be found here.