Wed, Sep 02
|UMiami OLLI Zoom
American History You Never Learned at School
This course confronts the seamier side of American history and politics: racism, xenophobia, religious bigotry and the paradoxical alliance between libertarians and authoritarianism manifesting itself in today's ideological extremism
Time & Location
Sep 02, 2020, 1:00 PM – Oct 07, 2020, 2:45 PM
UMiami OLLI Zoom
About the event
American ideals are exemplified in phrases in foundational documents dating from the early Republic: “We, the people…” “All men are created equal;” “the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” But Americans have long been divided over who is included in “We…:” the extent and limitations of political and social equality, and who is entitled to “equal protection under the law.” This course will offer a historical approach to understanding many of the divisive issues in American politics today.
Week 1 The “City on a Hill:” Religion and Exceptionalism in Early America
Week 2 Who counts as “Equal?” Racism and xenophobia before and after the Civil War
Week 3 Principles, principals and policies toward America’s Native peoples
Week 4 Battles over the Bible in American Public Schools
Week 5 "Making the World Safe for Democracy" U.S. Foreign interventions
Week 6 Between Authoritarianism and Anarchy: The America we thought we knew