The American Renaissance and Frederick Douglass from Coursera

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Syllabus

Frederick Douglass: An Introduction

This module introduces you to Douglass's view of the anti-slavery movement to the abolition of the institution of slavery. You will also go through some parts of Douglass's narrative of his own life.

Frederick Douglass: Life and Times

This module continues Douglass's narrative of his own life. You will also see Professor Chaney explaining the rationale of Douglass's repeated acts of self-narration.

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Explores Douglass's perspective on the anti-slavery movement, offering valuable insights into a pivotal period in American history

Examines Douglass's narrative, which provides a first-hand account of the realities of slavery and the fight for abolition

Features Professor Chaney's explanation of Douglass's self-narration, which offers a deeper understanding of his motivations and strategies

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 The American Renaissance and Frederick Douglass with these activities:

Read 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave'

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Provide a foundational understanding of Frederick Douglass's life and experiences before delving into the course materials.

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Obtain a copy of 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave'.
Read the entire narrative, paying attention to key events and themes.
Take notes on important passages and reflect on Douglass's experiences.

Review the History of Abolitionism

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Solidify your understanding of the historical context surrounding Frederick Douglass and the anti-slavery movement.

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Research the history of abolitionism in the United States.
Identify key figures and events in the movement.
Summarize the main arguments for and against slavery.

Discuss Douglass's Narrative with Peers

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Deepen your understanding of Douglass's narrative through collaborative discussion and diverse perspectives.

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Organize a virtual or in-person meeting with classmates.
Share your interpretations of Douglass's narrative.
Discuss the themes and historical context of the narrative.

Three other activities

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Explore 'The Portable Frederick Douglass'

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Expand your knowledge of Frederick Douglass's writings and speeches beyond the core narrative.

View The Portable Frederick Douglass (Penguin... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'The Portable Frederick Douglass'.
Read selections from the collection, focusing on different genres and topics.
Compare and contrast Douglass's different writing styles and arguments.

Write a Reflection Paper on Douglass's Impact

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Synthesize your learning by reflecting on the lasting impact of Frederick Douglass's work and ideas.

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Research Douglass's legacy and influence.
Write a paper exploring his contributions to American society.
Reflect on the relevance of his ideas today.

Research and Present on a Contemporary Issue Related to Douglass's Work

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Apply Douglass's ideas to contemporary social justice issues through in-depth research and presentation.

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Identify a contemporary issue related to Douglass's work (e.g., racial inequality, human rights).
Research the issue and its historical context.
Prepare a presentation connecting Douglass's ideas to the issue.
Present your findings to classmates or a wider audience.

Career center

Learners who complete The American Renaissance and Frederick Douglass will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

A historian researches and interprets the past, often focusing on specific periods or themes. This course introduces the anti-slavery movement and Douglass's own life narrative which helps to build foundational knowledge for any historian working in this area of American history. It will be beneficial to take this course because it provides a lens into the perspective and motivations of an influential figure in this time period. The course may be useful for a historian as it will allow them to understand the reasons for repeated acts of self-narration, and apply them to other figures of the period. An advanced degree is typically required for this role.

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Museum curator

A museum curator is responsible for acquiring, managing, and displaying artifacts within a museum setting. A museum curator would benefit from the course provided due to its focus on the narrative of Frederick Douglass and his impact on history. Understanding Douglass's life and rationale will help a curator more deeply contextualize exhibits related to the anti-slavery movement or this period of American history. This course may be helpful for a curator, as it provides direct exposure to the narrative approach and life experiences of a key figure.

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Archivist

An archivist manages and preserves historical records and documents. This course, focused on Frederick Douglass's life narrative, could be helpful for an archivist. It will allow you to enhance your understanding of the historical context and significance of Douglass, which is useful when cataloging related materials; it also helps enhance understanding of the rationale behind acts of self-narration, allowing analysis of related documents. Taking this course will be useful because it provides direct engagement with a primary source's story and the analysis of self-narration, a key concept for archivists working with personal histories.

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Academic Researcher

An academic researcher conducts in-depth studies on a range of topics, often within a university setting. This course may be useful for an academic researcher since it focuses on Frederick Douglass, his views of the anti-slavery movement and his personal narrative. This course offers a direct encounter with the nuances of Douglass's life and also explores the reasoning behind his self-narration. Taking this course could be beneficial as it provides a foundational understanding of Douglass as both a historical figure and a writer.

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Librarian

A librarian manages and organizes library resources, often specializing in specific collections. A librarian will find this course helpful due to the course's introduction of Frederick Douglass and his anti-slavery movement views, as this is critical historical context for organizing materials relating to this period. The course will also help enhance understanding of the rationale behind his self-narration, which is an important consideration when curating collections which include personal narratives. This course may be useful because it brings an understanding of a key narrative and the way in which meaning is constructed from personal histories.

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Content Writer

A content writer creates written material for various platforms, often needing to convey information clearly and effectively. A content writer would benefit from this course, using its study of Frederick Douglass's narrative as an example of compelling storytelling. The course helps build an understanding of narrative structure and the impact of self-narration, which can be applied to many kinds of written content. This course may be helpful for a content writer, as it provides an example of effective historical storytelling and how to analyze motives behind writing.

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Journalist

A journalist researches and reports on current events or historical topics. This course may be useful for a journalist because it explores the life and narrative of Frederick Douglass and the anti-slavery movement. Understanding the context of this movement and the influence of self-narration will help you to create more nuanced and well-informed reports. This course provides a look into the life and writing of an important historical figure and the way he shaped his narrative.

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Editor

An editor reviews and prepares written content for publishing, ensuring accuracy and clarity. This course may be useful for an editor by exploring aspects of Frederick Douglass's life and his use of self-narration. An editor would need these skills to analyze and evaluate narratives. The course provides an in-depth understanding of narrative structure, and how an author's motivation affects his communication. Taking the course helps an editor understand how to ensure that the narratives that they are working on are clear and accurate.

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Teacher

A teacher educates students in various subjects, often focusing on specific areas like history or literature. This course, which introduces Frederick Douglass's life and his role in the anti-slavery movement, would be helpful for a teacher. By exploring Douglass's narrative and the reasoning behind his self-narration, this course could be useful for a teacher to expand their knowledge of this period of American history. Taking this course can enrich a teacher's understanding of a significant historical figure and enhance their teaching approach with new perspectives.

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Curriculum Developer

A curriculum developer designs educational materials and courses. For a curriculum developer creating units on American history or literature, this course on Frederick Douglass would be particularly helpful. This course covers the anti-slavery movement and Douglass's narratives, helping you understand the historical and personal context of his life. The course also examines the rationale behind acts of self-narration, which can help in crafting courses with rich perspectives. This course may be useful to enhance your knowledge of key historical content and enable the creation of more engaging narratives for students.

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Public Speaker

A public speaker delivers presentations or speeches to audiences on various topics. This course may be useful as it explores Frederick Douglass's life, narrative, and his views on the anti-slavery movement. An understanding of the narrative structure in Douglass's work, can help inform the construction of more compelling arguments and improve delivery of public speeches. This course will help a public speaker to use historical figures in the creation of a more personal and compelling narrative.

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Political Analyst

A political analyst studies and interprets political events and trends, often providing commentary or advice. A political analyst would benefit from this course which explores the anti-slavery movement and Frederick Douglass’s role and narrative within it. Understanding historical context of political movements can help an analyst contextualize current trends. This course may be useful for a political analyst as it offers insight into the personal narrative of a political figure from the past, and can be used to contextualize political narratives today.

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Policy Analyst

A policy analyst researches and evaluates policies, often providing recommendations for improvements. A policy analyst would benefit from this course, as it explores the anti-slavery movement and Frederick Douglass's life. Examining the rationale behind Douglass's self-narration provides insight into the historical context of policy debates and may help inform the analysis of current policy. This course may be useful for a policy analyst, as it provides a deep understanding of a landmark period and how narratives can be used to influence change.

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Nonprofit Program Manager

A nonprofit program manager coordinates and oversees programs for nonprofit organizations. This course, exploring Frederick Douglass's life and the anti-slavery movement, is beneficial for a program manager by providing context for organizations that work on related issues. This course will enhance understanding of the historical context of these issues. The course may be useful as it offers insights into the personal narrative of a historical figure and builds an understanding of how personal narratives can effect societal change.

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Social Worker

A social worker helps individuals and communities by providing a wide range of services, often advocating for social justice. This course may be useful for a social worker as it explores Frederick Douglass's fight against slavery. The course will allow a social worker to understand the historical context of social injustice, and learn about the importance of the personal narrative in the pursuit of social change. This course may be helpful for a social worker as it will provide a look into the life of an important historical figure, and it highlights the power of narrative.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The American Renaissance and Frederick Douglass.

Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass

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This autobiography is central to understanding Douglass's life and thought. Reading it before the course provides essential context for the lectures and discussions. It offers a firsthand account of slavery and Douglass's journey to freedom, which is crucial for grasping the themes explored in the course. is often used in academic settings when studying American literature and history.

Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass

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Narrative Life of Frederick Douglass

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The Portable Frederick Douglass

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This collection provides a broader view of Douglass's writings and speeches. It is useful for gaining a deeper understanding of his intellectual development and political activism. While not essential for the core course content, it offers valuable additional reading for students interested in exploring Douglass's work in more depth. is often used as a supplementary text in courses on American literature and history.

The Portable Frederick Douglass (Penguin Classics)

Kindle Edition

The American Renaissance and Frederick Douglass

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