Lectures in History

University of Dayton Professors John Heitmann and Todd Uhlman taught a class about 1970s American car culture and films of the era. Using examples like Easy Rider, American Graffiti, and Badlands, they argued these films reflected many Americans' disillusionment and glorified the open road as a way to take back control in the face of societal changes. They also talked about the impact of oil shortages, the rise of coast-to-coast races called “Cannonball Runs,” and the popularity of trucker movies and music.

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White House Historical Association historian and American University lecturer Matthew Costello taught a class on White House myths. He talked about the realities and legends behind often repeated stories such as the tunnel system, a gift alligator, how decorating traditions began, and Dolley Madison rescuing George Washington’s portrait.

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Baruch College Professors Vincent DiGirolamo and Elizabeth Wollman taught a class about New York City and Broadway in the 1960s. They described the political culture of the time, the relationship between Broadway and off-Broadway productions, and how smaller theaters were often more experimental and responded to current issues such as Vietnam.

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U.S. Army War College professor Douglas Douds gives a lecture about the causes and military objectives of the Civil War prior to a day-long staff ride at Gettysburg for the college’s resident class.

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University of Colorado Denver professor Sarah Fields teaches a class about the 1981 Jean Harris trial, also known as the "Scarsdale Diet" doctor murder case.

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Professor Laura Watt talked about the evolution of a national park system and the effort to preserve pristine wilderness. She argued that this approach often obscures the ways humans have already interacted with the land. She also spoke about her research on the Point Reyes National Seashore, which used to be a dairy ranch community before it was designated a national park in the 1960s.

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Norfolk State University history professor Cassandra Newby-Alexander discussed the history of the Underground Railroad and efforts to escape enslavement before the Civil War. Norfolk State is an historically black university in Norfolk, Virginia.

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University of Akron professor Kevin Kern discusses the Ohioans who were elected president, including the seven that served between 1868 and 1920.

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University of Delaware Professor Zara Anishanslin taught a class about how colonial history is remembered through historic sites and monuments, and sometimes contested. She argued that people’s assumptions about Colonial America are influenced by material and popular culture, including paintings depicting early American history in the U.S. Capitol and statues of Columbus and Pocahontas. This video was provided by the University of Delaware. 

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American University professor Joseph Campbell explored a decade of political, foreign policy, cultural and social events to define the zeitgeist of the American 1990s. American University is located in Washington, D.C.

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