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Category: "Social Studies 4.1"

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Showing 1 - 19 of 19  

Poking Fun: Political Puns and Social Satire in the Genre Paintings of William Sidney Mount

Elizabeth Kahn Kaplan, St. James
Subtle humor injected into scenes of country life by this world-renowned 19th century Long Island artist brought smiles to the lips of those in the know.

Political Humor: A Look Back in Anger Mixed with Mirth

Joseph Dorinson, Brooklyn
Can Tina Fey impede the political ascent of Sarah Palin? Did H.L. Mencken destroy the reputation of Presidents Harding and Coolidge? How did comedians in America contribute to Nixon's resignation? For answers to these and other knotty questions, stay tuned.

The Quest for Porcelain: Art, Alchemy and the Transformative Power of Fire

Nicholas Zumbulyadis, Rochester
Trace how artisans, alchemists, and early chemists working across three continents and since the dawn of civilization, jointly created the first artificial material -- one that is both commonplace, and the stuff of legend.

From Pack Peddler to International Banker: The Rise of 'Our Crowd'

Kenneth Libo, New York
This lecture tells the story of Joseph Seligman, who went from pack peddling to establishing America's first international banking house: J. Seligman & Brothers.

Political Unification Efforts in Latin America

Salvador Rivera, Cobleskill
Since 1825, every generation in Latin America has witnessed an effort to integrate the continent. Learn about the diplomats, idealists, technocrats, and politicians who have led these movements over the decades, and how they have both failed and succeeded.

The Balfour Declaration: The Central U.S. Role in Israeli-Palestinian Relations

Joseph Rappaport, New York
The United States has played a role in the Middle East conflict going back at least as far as 1917. Learn more about the modern history of Israeli-Palestinian relations, America's involvement in key milestones along the way, and the current challenges facing Israelis and Palestinians.

Understanding Past Native American Cultures in the Hudson Valley Through Archaeology

Eugene J. Boesch, Mahopac
The presentation will focus on Native Americans in the Hudson Valley, from its earliest occupation by humans, at least 12,000 years ago, to the period of initial European Contact.

The Panama Canal and the Transformation of a Nation

Robert R. McMillan, Garden City
The first civilian chairman of the Panama Canal recounts the canal's complex political history, its crucial importance to U.S. economic interests, and what the future may hold for Panama and its eponymous canal.

The Radium Dial Painters: How a Local Tragedy Changed the Nation

Eugene J. Boesch, Mahopac
In 1920, young women employed as watch dial painters by U.S. Radium in Orange, New Jersey, began reporting health problems. By 1922, some were dying. But despite the fact that these women were working unprotected with a radioactive material, U.S. Radium rejected any claims that it was responsible. How did the tragedy of the "radium girls" became one of the nation's first recognized cases of industrial poisoning, and contribute to the movement to protect worker health?

From Founders to Farmers: An Archaeologist's View of Hudson Valley Homes of the 19th Century

Eugene J. Boesch, Mahopac
The transformation of domestic life in the 19th century -- from a largely rural lifestyle to a middle class consumer society -- set the stage for 20th century culture. Using the techniques of archeology, we explore how life was lived in 19th century homes of the lower Hudson Valley, and how the transformations of that era connects to our own contemporary experiences.

Jacob K. Javits and Latin American Economic Integration

Salvador Rivera, Cobleskill
This lecture examines efforts by New York Senator Jacob K. Javits to promote the economic integration of Latin America.

Tracing Italian American Immigrant History to the Italian American Present

Salvatore Primeggia, Garden City
There is nothing small about the history and heritage of Italian-Americans. Come and get the big picture.

From Wiseguys to Wise Men: Masculinities and the Italian American Gangster

Fred Gardaphe, New York
This talk presents the gangster as an archetype of rebellious behavior and explains why the gangster has become a controversial and necessary figure in U.S. Culture

Ciudad y Suburbia: The Changing Nature of Latino Immigration

Sherrie Baver, New City
Latin American and Caribbean immigration to New York has dramatically changed the essence of New York and the nation. Are we becoming a bilingual/bicultural country?

The Language of Crisis: Documenting the Depression

Michael Jacobs, White Plains
Writers of the Great Depression rebelled against literary and journalistic conventions to document and expose the harsh social realities of a nation in crisis.

War of 1812: Fury, Frenzy and Honor

Raya Lee, Williamsville
The War of 1812 was full of contrasts: sense and nonsense, penny-wise and pound foolish, bravery and cowardice. Exploring this war's history offers poignant and provocative surprises.

Leadership in America

Frank M. Sorrentino, Brooklyn
This lecture investigates how America's Founding Fathers, as well as early Presidents and political thinkers, promoted leadership, while also navigating the culture's emphasis on individualism and democracy.

Women's Rights: A Struggle of Class, Race and Ethnicity

Harriet Davis-Kram, New York
The struggle for women's equality in the United State was closely allied with the abolitionist movement. It later splintered into groups willing to barter the rights of women of different classes, races, or ethnicities for promises political gain.

The Arts and the Sacred in Native America

Nadema Agard, N/A
This interdisciplinary and multimedia presentation explores the arts as sacred vehicles and repositories of cosmic knowledge in Native American cultures.

Showing 1 - 19 of 19