American History Intensive
Agora Foundation Online Intensive - The Story of America
Alexis de Tocqueville wrote in Democracy in America that “Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.” By most accounts, America is a profound experiment whose effect on the world cannot be overstated. Through a keen sense of destiny and a wealth of natural resources, the country has helped to transform political structures globally, as well as humankind’s vision of itself. The meaning of the “shot heard round the world" in 1775 is still unfolding, with no guarantee that a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” By varying degrees, the nation continues to strive to live up to its principles, and the struggle for equality for all its citizens continues to be a central difficulty.
Through the lenses of race, religion, politics, education, media, commerce, science, and culture, this series will explore the history of America through three four-month sections, and will attempt to find answers to our essential American questions: How can we describe the American Mind? What are the country’s core values and central tenets? Can those core values and central tenets endure? How has America’s role on the international stage changed over time?
All reading materials will be supplied and sessions will be facilitated by tutors experienced is shared inquiry and the Socratic method. Groups will be limited to 12 participants and no prior knowledge is required. Teachers will be offered 3 CEU credits for participation in each section. Each Four-Month Weekly Series (Each Section) is $600. Community of Lifelong Learners subscribers receive a discount of $100 through a refund.
Each Four-Month Weekly Series (Each Section) is $600.
Community of Lifelong Learners subscribers receive a discount of $100 through a refund.
Colonial Experience to the Declaration of Independence
Wednesday evenings, beginning April 21 and ending Wednesday, August 4, 2021. Section One Texts:
1) The Americans: The Colonial Experience by Daniel J. Boorstin
2) Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
3) Declaration of Independence
American History Intensive - Dates and Curriculum -
Colonial Experience to the Declaration of Independence
Session One:
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Book One - The Vision and the Reality
Part One - A City Upon A Hill:
The Puritans of Massachusetts Bay
Pages 1-31
Session Two:
Wednesday, April 28, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Two - The Inward Plantation: The Quakers of Pennsylvania
Pages 33-69
Session Three:
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Three - Victims of Philanthropy: The Settlers of Georgia
Pages 71-96
Session Four:
Wednesday, May 12, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Four - Transplanters: The Virginians
Pages 97-143
Session Five:
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
Stamped from the Beginning
Prologue
Part One - Cotton Mather
1. Human Hierarchy
2. Origins of Racist Ideas
3. Coming to America
Pages 1-46
Session Six:
Wednesday, May 26, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Book Two - Viewpoints and Institutions
Part Five - An American Frame of Mind
Pages 145-168
Session Seven:
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Six - Educating the Community
Pages 169-188
Session Eight:
Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Seven - The Learned Lose Their Monopolies
Pages 189-206
Session Nine:
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Eight - New World Medicine
Pages 207-240
Session Ten:
Wednesday, June 23, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
Stamped from the Beginning
Part One - Cotton Mather
4. Saving Souls, Not Bodies
5. Black Hunts
6. Great Awakening
Pages 47-76
Session Eleven:
Wednesday, June 30, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Nine - The Limits of American Science
Pages 241-266
Session Twelve:
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Book Three - Language and the Printed Word
Part Ten - The New Uniformity
Pages 267-290
Session Thirteen:
Wednesday, July 14, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Eleven - Culture Without a Capital
Pages 291-316
Session Fourteen:
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Part Twelve - A Conservative Press
Pages 317-340
Session Fifteen:
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
The Americans: The Colonial Experience
Book Four - Warfare and Diplomacy
Part Thirteen - A Nation of Minute Men
Pages 341-372
Session Sixteen:
Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - 5:30-7:30PM PDT
Stamped from the Beginning
Part Two - Thomas Jefferson
7. Enlightenment
8. Black Exhibits
9. Created Equal
Pages 79-119 and The Declaration of Independence
Fall 2021 and Winter 2021/2021 American History Intensive Sections
Section Two
The American Revolution to the Civil War
1) The Americans: The National Experience by Daniel J. Boorstin
2) Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
3) Articles of Confederation
4) Federalist Papers
5) Anti-Federalist Papers
6) Constitution of the U.S.
7) Speeches of Lincoln
8) Supreme Court Cases
Section Three
Reconstruction to the 1970s
1) The Americans: The Democratic Experience by Daniel J. Boorstin
2) Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
3) Supreme Court Cases
4) Speeches from King
5) Proposed Equal Rights Amendment
6) Essays on 20th Century American politics