American Studies and History

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D.W. Griffith's The Mended Lute (1909), audio commentary (2013)

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In this episode we explore the resurgent Cold War of the 1980s through the music of Pink Floyd and their chief songwriter, Roger Waters. Starting with a critical overview of the 1983 album, The Final Cut, this episode explores how the Cold War transformed the band, moving them away from abstract ideas and vague protests into a more politicised realm with their music. Albums explored in this episode include The Final Cut, The Wall, A Momentary Lapse of Reason, and Roger Waters' Radio K.A.O.S

The Lone Ranger has been no stranger to controversy since its announcement. In this episode we will examine the finished product in order to see whether or not claims of racism directed at the movie are justified.

In this episode we examine the argument that anti-Japanese racism was a product of World War II. This episode includes an audio only version of the short documentary "Race and Racism in Early Superhero Comics" as a bonus extra.

Superman first appeared during the Great Depression in 1938 in a comic book which reflected the period's strong stereotypes against women. In this episode the first superhero comic will be given a scholarly reading and compared to its modern equivalent to show how America's self-image has changed over the past 70 years.

The second American Studies lecture again looks at classic American comic books, this time turning its attention on Batman's arch-nemesis, the Joker. Throughout his long career the Joker has been portrayed as everything from a Chicago-inspired gangster, to traumatised victim, and ruthless terrorist - in this lecture we explore how each of those images reflected huge social and cultural changes in America.

Captain America first appeared in 1940 but shortly after his introduction he was joined by sidekick team "The Young Allies" among whom was one of the most openly racist characters in superhero history. In this episode we explore how and why men like Jack Kirby and Stan Lee (creators of the X-Men, Fantastic Four, etc) helped to create such a piece of racist iconography.

Following the release of the first trailer for Disney's The Lone Ranger, this episode explores how this movie could impact modern western films along with some of the issues which might plague it.

The source for the third Atlantic History seminar. In this source, John Smith describes the first year of settlement in the new Virginia colony, including his first account of Pocahontas

In this episode the source for the second Atlantic History class is given. The source is an excerpt from Olaudah Equiano's moving account of the horrors experienced by slaves upon the crossing from Africa to the Americas.

A reading of two sources for the forthcoming online course exploring the "Atlantic World". These sources are extracts of Christopher Columbus's letter to the heads of European states and the Royal account of Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal.

Announcement regarding the addition of American Studies to the podcast

Few people realise Daniel Boone faced a court martial for treason - in this episode we explore how he used his autobiography to refute those charges

A complete reading of Daniel Boone's collaborative autobiography

The second part of my discussion with Blair Smith on the life and legend of Daniel Boone

In this episode I discuss the life, legacy, and legend of Daniel Boone with my fellow scholar, Blair Smith.

This bonus archival recording provides some nice background information on the period covered in the first Daniel Boone lecture.

First lecture in the Daniel Boone series. Who was Daniel Boone and what does his autobiography tell historians about his life?