Session 1
The Truth about Lies: Deception Plans in World War II, Professor Molly Dorsey
Behind the guns, the soldiers, and the logistics, there are the deception plans of World War II filled with double agents, outlandish vehicles, unwitting saviors, and good luck. In the “good war,” how did secrets and lies impact the individual and grand strategy by lessening casualties, enhancing victories, and illuminating the Allies’ strengths? The truth about lies enriches the history of World War II: deception plans do more than simply illuminate a hidden side of major battles as they offer an often-ignored aspect of total war.
Session 2 (choice)
Black Reconstruction: From the Thirteenth Amendment to Colfax, Dr. Lottie Richard
This session introduces attendees to Black Reconstruction, the brief but transformative period following the Civil War when formerly enslaved people sought to redefine freedom, citizenship, and democracy. Beginning with the Thirteenth Amendment, it traces Black political organizing, institution-building, and interracial democracy before turning to the violent backlash that dismantled these gains. The lecture culminates with the Colfax Massacre of 1873, often called “the day freedom died,” to illustrate how racial terror and federal retreat ended Reconstruction and reshaped American democracy for generations.
Finding Female Voices: How to Unearth the Hidden Women of Premodern Texts, Professor Samantha Seal
Of the many excuses given for the dearth of women on syllabi for classes on premodern literature and history, the excuse that “no women wrote” is one of the most frustrating. In this talk, I will provide strategies for how to find more female voices for the medieval and early modern periods (no archival work required!) and how to change traditional course frameworks to level the playing field for these authors.
Military Service and Political Rights From Napoleon to the Vietnam War, Professor David Bachrach
The Whig view of historical development according to which societies became increasingly prosperous and just over time and granted ever greater freedom to increasing numbers of people was overwhelmed by the atrocities of the twentieth century. In place of this older historiographical tradition, scholars have come to realize that liberty, both individual and corporate, as well as political rights tied to citizenship are not permanent, and developed in different societies over time in response to a variety of stimuli. In the western tradition, one very important stimulus to the development and entrenchment of rights, and particularly political rights associated with citizenship, has been military service. There are certainly many cases in western history in which military service did not lead to participation in the institutions of law and governance. However, where we do see individuals gaining political rights, very frequently this phenomenon is explicitly tied to their participation in military affairs. This session will consider examples of minority and/or oppressed groups in society seeking and obtaining full political rights on the basis of their military service.
Session 3
Ukraine and Russia: A Collaborative and Fraught History, Professor Addis Mason
Ukrainians and Russians have shared much history from ninth-century Kievan Rus’ through the demise of the Soviet Union, more often as partners and allies than adversaries. Ukrainians played an important role in Russia’s westernization, national culture, and empire-building, and was a cornerstone of the Soviet Union. So what went wrong? How did their largely collaborative history shift to conflict and ultimately war? To provide historical context for contemporary Russian-Ukrainian relations, this speech will examine key moments of convergence and divergence in Russian and Ukrainian history through the lenses of empire and nationalism.
Session 4 (choice)
Native American History: Civil War to 1934, Professor Lila Knolle
Between the 1880s and 1930s, the United States government pursued the total, forcible assimilation of Native Americans into the US body politic. In this seminar, we will look at the origins and implementation of that policy while examining Native American resistance to it. We will discuss the General Allotment Act, US boarding schools, citizenship, and warfare.
Northern Slavery, Citizenship, and Belonging in the Early Republic, Dr. Benjamin Remillard
This session will examine the legacy of the American Revolution across the Northeast as free and formerly enslaved Black Americans laid claim to the changing interpretations of citizenship in the early republic. This presentation will highlight in particular the political and community activism of Black Revolutionary War veterans as they created new communities for themselves and their families in the aftermath of the War of Independence.
Roman Technology, Professor Gregory McMahon
The Romans were arguably the most technologically advanced people/society of antiquity, not surprising given the opportunities available to them to borrow and modify the technologies of earlier civilizations. This presentation will introduce major aspects of their technological expertise, including surveying, arch construction, the development of concrete and mortar, plumbing, bridge and aqueduct construction, and baths.
