American Studies and History

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.

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.

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.

Native America on film - in this special video presentation we examine a short film by D.W Griffith (director of The Birth of a Nation)that was made in 1909. This episode includes the entire original film with a special academic audio commentary.

Native America on film - in this special video presentation we examine a short film by D.W Griffith (director of The Birth of a Nation)that was made in 1909. This episode includes the entire original film with a special academic audio commentary.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Announcement regarding the addition of American Studies to the podcast