Reconstructing America's Story from Coursera

America has long defined itself as a country born out of a rebellion against tyranny with freedom and equality as its founding principles. But a closer examination of the historical record reveals problems with the standard American story – how can we be a country built on freedom and equality when our Founding Fathers embedded inequality in our founding documents?

Guided by the expertise of constitutional law scholar Kermit Roosevelt, this course invites students to critically examine the narratives that have shaped America, from the celebrated to the contentious. Through a deep exploration of foundational moments and overlooked histories, it lays bare the myths and realities that compose the American experience.

With a focus on the transformative periods of American history, such as the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement, the course scrutinizes the construction and impact of national stories. It questions how these narratives have served to unite or divide, to obscure truths, and to perpetuate injustices. By unearthing the diverse and often silenced voices from America’s past and present, Roosevelt encourages a more inclusive understanding of what it means to be American.

What's inside

Syllabus

National Stories

This introductory module examines America's national narrative and the complex historical context from which our narrative was born. We will examine the "standard story" of America's founding and the complex contradictions between America's declared ideals and the reality of our historical practices of slavery and discrimination.

The Philosophy of the Declaration

This module examines the political philosophy of the Declaration of Independence, discussing the relationship between slavery and the Revolution, and describes the nature and purpose of the Founders’ Constitution.

Retelling the Standard Story

This module examines American history as the consistent search for unity and equality. It also covers the impact of the Declaration of Independence on American constitutional history.

The Source of Our Ideals

This module examines the modern reading of the Declaration to antislavery activists and why those ideals entered the Constitution.

The War That Made America

This module examines the nature of the conflict that precipitated the Civil War, and describes how the Civil War changed from a war for unity to a war for freedom. It also explores the connections, or lack thereof, between the ideologies of the two sides and the political theory of Founding America.

Reconstruction and Redemption

This module examines the changes made to the Constitution by the Reconstruction Amendments. It also covers Redemption, the coup against the Reconstruction governments, and how the history of Reconstruction and Redemption was framed to promote white unity.

How the Struggle Continues

This module examines why the standard story is counterproductive in terms of creating real unity among Americans and seeing the continuing struggle between the ideologies of the Founding and Reconstruction. Finally, it looks to explain how a better story can open a path forward.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the American experience through narratives shaping the nation

Taught by a constitutional law expert, Kermit Roosevelt, III

Explores the contradictions between ideals and practices throughout American history

Develops a critical understanding of national narratives and their impact on American history

Uncovers diverse and silenced voices from America's past and present

Requires prior knowledge of American history and constitutional law

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Reconstructing America's Story with these activities:

Volunteer at a museum or historical site

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Volunteering at a museum or historical site allows you to connect with the past and share your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on History

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Find a museum or historical site that you are interested in.
Contact the museum or historical site to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Join a study group

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Joining a study group provides an opportunity to collaborate with peers, share ideas, and learn from each other.

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Find a study group that meets your needs and schedule.
Attend study sessions regularly.

Read Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

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Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history and provides insights into his vision for the nation.

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Retrieve a copy of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address.
Read the address and highlight important passages.

Five other activities

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Read the Declaration of Independence

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Looking at the Declaration of Independence will provide context for the nation's founding narrative.

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Retrieve a copy of the Declaration of Independence.
Read the Declaration and highlight important passages.
Annotate the text with questions or thoughts.

Analyze primary source documents

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Analyzing primary source documents helps you develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the past.

Browse courses on Primary Sources

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Select a primary source document.
Read and analyze the document carefully.
Identify the author's perspective and biases.
Draw conclusions about the document's historical significance.

Write a timeline of American History

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Creating a timeline will force you to examine the chronology of events in order to build a coherent narrative of American history.

Browse courses on American History

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Identify important events in American History.
Research the dates of these events.
Create a timeline using a visual format.
Annotate the timeline with brief descriptions of each event.

Design a lesson plan on American history

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Creating a lesson plan allows you to put your theoretical knowledge into practice and develop a deeper understanding of how to teach American history.

Browse courses on American History

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Select a topic in American history.
Develop learning objectives for the lesson.
Choose engaging activities and materials to use in the lesson.
Create a detailed lesson plan that includes a timeline and assessment strategies.

Create a presentation on a topic related to American history

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Creating a presentation allows you to synthesize your knowledge of American history and develop your communication skills.

Browse courses on American History

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Select a topic that you are passionate about.
Research your topic thoroughly.
Develop a clear and concise presentation outline.
Create visual aids to support your presentation.

Career center

Learners who complete Reconstructing America's Story will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

Reconstruction America's Story is rooted in an in-depth analysis of America's history, with an emphasis on its complexities, challenges, and evolutions. Through this examination, you will develop the necessary skills that will help you uncover the truth behind historical events and communicate that through writing and teaching.

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Museum curator

Understanding the history of America and how it influences its present is key to preserving its past. This course will take you through this journey, helping you gain valuable insights into how we interpret and showcase America's heritage.

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Archivist

This course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of America's past, present, and future challenges. It will equip you with the knowledge on how to preserve and maintain historical records for future generations.

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Civil Rights Activist

To continue the fight for Civil Rights, one should understand the history and philosophies of the Civil Rights Movement. Reconstructing America's Story will equip you with these concepts to help guide your activism.

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Community Organizer

Reconstructing America's Story will expose you to the history of how communities were organized. This knowledge will help you build effective strategies for creating a better future.

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Journalist

This course will provide an understanding of the integral role of the Declaration of Independence in the development of America's national story. This will help you to critically analyze and report on important current events.

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Politician

This course will provide you with insights on how to construct narratives that unite people from all backgrounds. This will be a critical skill to have, no matter what role you play in politics

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Lawyer

Reconstructing America's Story will equip you with a solid understanding of the foundations of American jurisprudence. This deep understanding will be invaluable as you help your clients navigate the legal system.

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Business Executive

You will learn how to examine the narratives that have shaped America, how they have served to unite or divide, and how they can be used to create a more inclusive understanding of what it means to be a business leader in America.

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Nonprofit Leader

This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge you will need to effectively lead a nonprofit organization. It will provide you with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the nonprofit sector in America.

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Educator

This course will help you to develop the skills you need to critically examine the narratives that have shaped America. Developing these skills will help you as an educator, since you will be able to challenge conventional wisdom and teach your students about the real history of America

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Social Worker

This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the historical and social forces that have shaped America. This will be an invaluable asset for social work, as you will be able to provide better support to the clients you serve.

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Consultant

This course will teach you how to critically examine the narratives that have shaped America. These skills will help you develop effective strategies for your clients.

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Writer

This course will provide you with critical insights into the construction and impact of national stories. This will be a vital asset to you as a writer, as you will be able to create more compelling and accurate stories that make an impact.

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Government Official

This course will provide you with a deep understanding of the history and evolution of American political thought. This knowledge will be essential for you to make informed decisions that will help shape the future of America.

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