Chapters: SIU Student History

As Season Two continues, Josh is joined here by Deanna as they discuss the four podcasts that will conclude this season. Each of these podcasts will reimagine four important historical figures in British history, Queen Victoria, Wallis Simpson, Neville Chamberlain, and Margaret Thatcher. Deanna, Lydia, Francesca, and Ryan all offer fresh analyses of often misunderstood individuals in British history.  

In this episode of Season Two, we join Ollie and Francesca as they examine the history and impact of American summer camps. Ollie being an employee at a summer camp is able to offer first hand experience. As they examine where and why the fasciation of summer camps began in America, one will view camps through new eyes. Later in the episode, we are joined once again by Josh and Lindsey as they discuss the process of writing the script for this work. 

In this episode, we are joined by Claire and Kyah as they discuss the history of American Girl Dolls. American Girl Dolls have been a staple of young girls' lives since 1986, but how does inclusion play into the dolls and the books that were published by the brand? By reimagining the history of American Girl Dolls, Claire and Kyah can show a new perspective, through new eyes. 

In this debut episode of Season Two, Josh is joined by Claire, Larry, Lindsey, and Ollie as they discuss the graphic novel Maus, which was recorded live at the SIU History Fair. Maus has drawn recent attention as being a popularly banned book. Claire, Larry, Lindsey, and Ollie evaluate these bans and the historical context of the subject matter of Maus, the Holocaust. This season will feature new analyses of historical topics, through new eyes, as historical subjects are reimagined. All works were student written, recorded, and produced.

Ben takes over the interviewee seat as he and Josh talk about Ben's senior paper two years after he wrote it. The two discuss how the paper came to be just as much as they talk about the more interesting than it sounds history of Parking at SIUC. 

George joins Ben and Josh to discuss the very mixed record of Richard Nixon on Civil Rights. Before being president, Martin Luther King and Black newspapers had praised Nixon for his Civil Rights Records. However, his hesitation on speaking with black leaders during his campaign against John F Kennedy, and later his Southern Strategy in his next campaign quickly changed how he was viewed by the Black community. 1

In Chapter's second narrative style podcast, SIU advertising student Ryan takes us through a brief history of the troubled town of Cairo, IL.  

Usual co-host Josh shares his senior research: exploring the microcosm of American culture that was WCIL radio in the mid twentieth century. Ben and Josh discuss the power the radio station had in contributing to newly emerging liberal ideas in the 1950s and 60s in a region of the country which you may not expect to find them. 

Ben and Josh listen in to a historical retelling of the 1916 Irish Rebellion as told by SIU history student Davis Tige. Davis sits down to give an overview and backstory to the rebellion before jumping into a day-by-day narrative told through the eyes of the Irish. 

SIU history student Sean sits down with Ben and Josh to discuss the importance three separate mining disasters in southern Illinois had on a national level. Sean argues that these three tragedies could likely have been prevented with better regulations and abilities to enforce them. As some politicians advocate for the expansion of these industries, at the very least these disasters should serve as a warning for the immediate safety of mine employees