"American Passages: A Literary Survey" is a 16-part American literature course. The video programs, print guides, and website place literary movements and authors within the context of history and culture. The course takes an expanded view of American literary movements, bringing in a diversity of voices and tracing the continuity among them. The materials, which are coordinated with the Norton Anthology of American Literature, can be used as the basis of a one- or two-semester college-level course or for teacher professional development.

The Lower East End Tenement Museum hosts a panel discussion with Irish American authors Frank McCourt and Pete Hamill and Irish author Nuala O'Faolain about the influence and presence of Irish Americans in U.S. culture, particularly in New York.

Don Vitale of Archiving Early America narrates an overview of Benjamin Franklin's early life and his scientific, social, and inventive accomplishments prior to the Revolutionary War.

Captioned and uncaptioned versions of the film are available.

The National Constitution Center presents veteran film and television writer Jonathan Hennessey discussing his graphic novel The United States Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation, in which Hennessey uses the popular medium of graphic art to illustrate and breathe new life into the U.S. Constitution, the ideas it expresses, and its history.

To listen to this interview, scroll to the December 15, 2008 program.

Robert D. Kaplan, a Foreign Policy Research Institute Senior Fellow, a national correspondent for The Atlantic Monthly and the Class of 1960 Distinguished Visiting Professor in National Security at the U.S. Naval Academy, discusses his latest book Hog Pilots, Blue Water Grunts: The American Military in the Air, at Sea, and on the Ground. He examines the actions of the American military worldwide, arguing that the U.S.'s preoccupation with the Middle East may lead to the rise of military power, meanwhile, in Asia.

Audio and video options are available.

Pulitizer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson discusses his experiences while writing his trilogy on World War II—including the books An Army at Dawn and The Day of Battle—focusing on writing history texts as narratives, not as simple sequences of events.

Professor Lauren Coodley reviews the life of writer and activist Upton Sinclair. She focuses on the details of his life not commonly included in his popular image as a "muckraker."

Professor Steven Forde talks about the life and beliefs of Benjamin Franklin, using Franklin's writings to explore these issues. Forde looks at the ways in which Franklin was both different from and similar to the other founders, at the written legacy he has left, and Franklin's religious beliefs. This lecture continues from the lecture "Benjamin Franklin, Part One."

Professor Steven Forde talks about the life and beliefs of Benjamin Franklin, using Franklin's writings to explore these issues. Forde looks at the ways in which Franklin was both different from and similar to the other founders, at the written legacy he has left, and at the virtues he felt were necessary for democratic government to succeed.

Professor David Tucker looks at the views of religion, government, and the ideal American citizen and way of life presented in early 20th-century writing; and contrasts them with the views on the same subjects held by the Founding Fathers. He uses writing by the authors Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964), Herbert Croly (1869-1930), and Howard W. Kellog.

To listen to this lecture, scroll to the Thursday, August 5th, 10:50 am session; and select the Real Audio link in the gray bar to the left of the main body of text.

An older version of this lecture can be found here.