Lecture

The Origins of Homeland Security: The Zenger Affair and The "Negro Riot of 1741"

This module covers the Zenger Affair and the "Negro Riot of 1741," linking these events to the origins of modern security practices. Students will investigate:

  • The significance of the Zenger trial in establishing press freedoms.
  • The causes and consequences of the 1741 riots.
  • How these events shaped community responses to perceived threats.

By analyzing these pivotal moments, students will gain insights into the interplay between public safety and civil liberties.


Course Lectures
  • This module investigates the contrasting narratives of New York City, distinguishing between its real historical context and the myths that have emerged over time. By examining how social history alters the story of New York, students will delve into:

    • The construction of urban identity.
    • Influences of art and literature on perceptions of the city.
    • How historical events have been romanticized or overlooked.
  • This module focuses on the establishment of a Dutch colonial commercial base in New York City, emphasizing the impact on the Lenape Native Americans. Key topics include:

    • The arrival of Dutch settlers and the creation of New Amsterdam.
    • Economic motivations behind colonization.
    • The consequences for indigenous populations.

    Students will analyze primary sources to understand the complexities of colonial interactions.

  • This module examines the narratives of diversity and tolerance in 17th-century New York, contrasting myths with realities. Students will explore:

    • The rise of New York as a commercial center.
    • Interactions among various ethnic groups.
    • Social structures and power dynamics.

    Discussions will challenge assumptions about multiculturalism during this transformative period.

  • This module delves into New York's slave trade between 1690 and 1725, highlighting the social inequality and factionalism among elites. Key discussions will include:

    • The role of slavery in shaping the economy.
    • Competing interests of elite factions.
    • Impact on the lives of enslaved individuals and free Blacks.

    Students will critically assess how these historical dynamics contributed to the city’s social fabric.

  • This module covers the Zenger Affair and the "Negro Riot of 1741," linking these events to the origins of modern security practices. Students will investigate:

    • The significance of the Zenger trial in establishing press freedoms.
    • The causes and consequences of the 1741 riots.
    • How these events shaped community responses to perceived threats.

    By analyzing these pivotal moments, students will gain insights into the interplay between public safety and civil liberties.

  • This module examines the experiences of the poor and wealthier classes in pre-Revolutionary New York. The focus will be on:

    • Daily life for various social classes.
    • Changing perceptions of social order.
    • The role of benevolence and relief systems.

    Students will explore who bears the costs of social change and how these dynamics influenced revolutionary sentiments.

  • Focusing on the Revolutionary War period, this module analyzes how New York's social order was affected by the conflict. Key themes include:

    • The impact of war on daily life for New Yorkers.
    • Shifts in political loyalties and community cohesion.
    • The role of loyalists and patriots in shaping the city’s identity.

    Students will engage with primary sources to understand the tensions and changes during this tumultuous time.

  • This module discusses how technological advancements and entrepreneurial spirit transformed New York's economy during the early 19th century. Key points include:

    • The introduction of sewing machines and their impact on labor.
    • Significance of rivers for trade and transportation.
    • The role of entrepreneurial speculators in shaping markets.

    Students will learn how these factors contributed to economic growth and changes in labor practices.

  • This module examines the fears that plagued New Yorkers during the 19th century, including disease outbreaks, fires, and urban squalor. Key topics include:

    • Public health crises and their social implications.
    • The role of municipal services in addressing urban challenges.
    • Community responses to fears and adversity.

    Students will analyze how these fears shaped urban policies and community resilience.

  • This module delves into the significance of naming and historical memory in New York, focusing on the "Stonecutters Riot of 1834." Key discussions will include:

    • The causes and consequences of the riot.
    • How historical narratives shape contemporary identity.
    • The role of urban spaces in collective memory.

    Through analysis, students will understand the connection between historical events and their lasting impact on urban culture.

  • This module explores the role of reform movements in Gilded Age New York, focusing on the involvement of various social groups. Key topics will include:

    • Lady Bountifuls and their influence on charity.
    • The intersection of Presbyterianism with social reform.
    • Responses to the "dangerous classes" in urban environments.

    Students will analyze how these reform efforts impacted societal norms and urban life.

  • This module addresses the experiences of African Americans in antebellum New York and the abolitionist movements that arose during this period. Key discussions will include:

    • The social and economic conditions faced by African Americans.
    • The role of abolitionists in advocating for freedom.
    • Community responses to racial injustice.

    By engaging with primary documents, students will gain insights into the struggle for equality and justice.

  • The Draft Riot of 1863
    Daniel Walkowitz

    This module discusses the Draft Riot of 1863, analyzing its roots in Irish whiteness, industrialization, and media portrayals. Key topics include:

    • The socio-economic conditions leading to the riots.
    • Media representations and their influence on public perception.
    • The long-term implications for race relations in New York.

    Students will critically evaluate how this event reshaped community dynamics and racial identities.

  • This module explores the push and pull factors affecting new immigrants in New York, particularly regarding the economic aspects of racism. Key discussions will include:

    • The motivations for immigration to New York.
    • The economic value of racism in labor markets.
    • Community responses to immigrant integration.

    Students will analyze how these dynamics shaped the immigrant experience and urban development.

  • This module addresses the industrialization of everyday life in New York, focusing on labor movements and the push for the Eight Hour Day. Key topics include:

    • The impact of Taylorization on labor practices.
    • The significance of the Henry George campaigns.
    • The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and its implications for labor rights.

    Students will engage with historical events that catalyzed changes in labor laws and workers' rights.

  • This module examines the role of the New York bourgeoisie during the Gilded Age, exploring economic, political, and cultural capital. Key themes include:

    • The development of the Ladies Mile as a cultural hub.
    • Baseball as a spectator sport and its societal implications.
    • The intersection of wealth and social power.

    Students will analyze how these factors shaped urban culture and community dynamics.

  • This module focuses on the development of transit systems in New York from 1830 to 1950, highlighting issues of governance and malfeasance. Key discussions will include:

    • The evolution of transportation infrastructure.
    • Economic impacts of transit on urban growth.
    • Challenges of regulation and corruption.

    Students will analyze how these factors shaped the modern city and its accessibility.

  • This module examines the cultural transformations in Greenwich Village and Harlem between 1900 and 1930. Key topics include:

    • The emergence of alternative cultures in urban spaces.
    • Influences of migration and artistic movements.
    • The role of these neighborhoods in shaping New York's identity.

    Students will explore how cultural exchanges contributed to the vibrancy of the city.

  • This module addresses the Progressive Era reform movements, focusing on how Bobos (Bourgeois Bohemians) impacted urban spaces and social justice. Key discussions will include:

    • The role of Bobos in promoting social change.
    • Community efforts to address poverty and inequality.
    • The impact of these reforms on urban life.

    Students will analyze the complexities of reform efforts and their societal implications.

  • This module focuses on the New Deal era in New York City, exploring efforts to establish a socialist republic in the face of economic challenges. Key topics include:

    • The impact of the Great Depression on urban policies.
    • Community organizing and political movements.
    • The legacy of New Deal reforms in shaping modern New York.

    Students will engage with historical narratives to understand the interplay of politics and social change.

  • This module examines postwar New York City in the context of the Cold War, exploring its challenges as a "labor city." Key discussions will include:

    • The impact of global tensions on local labor movements.
    • Shifts in economic policies and their effects on workers.
    • Responses to the changing political landscape.

    Students will analyze how these factors shaped labor relations and the city’s economic future.

  • This module addresses the geography of race and poverty in New York during the 1950s, focusing on suburbanization and its socio-economic implications. Key themes include:

    • The dynamics of racial segregation and its impacts.
    • The role of media in shaping perceptions of race and poverty.
    • Community responses to suburbanization.

    Students will engage with historical contexts to understand contemporary issues related to race and settlement.

  • This module explores the struggle for social justice in the 1960s, focusing on the movements that emerged in New York. Key discussions will include:

    • The role of youth in mobilizing for change.
    • Welfare strikes and community activism.
    • The impact of the Ocean Hill-Brownsville school control movement.

    Students will analyze how these movements reshaped social dynamics and the fight for equality.

  • This module addresses the backlash against social movements in New York, focusing on urban political realignments. Key discussions will include:

    • The impact of Radical Women and Gay Liberation movements.
    • Responses to antiwar protests and the Hard Hat Riot.
    • Housing struggles in diverse neighborhoods.

    Students will analyze how these movements influenced political landscapes and community responses.

  • This module explores multiculturalism in New York at the end of the 20th century, focusing on the experiences of diverse communities. Key themes include:

    • The impact of immigration on urban culture.
    • Community dynamics and cultural exchanges.
    • A trip on the number 7 train as a metaphor for diversity.

    Students will analyze how multiculturalism has shaped the city's identity and social interactions.

  • Neo-Liberal New York
    Daniel Walkowitz

    This module examines the rise of neoliberalism in New York City, focusing on its effects on urban policy and community life. Key discussions will include:

    • The shift towards market-driven policies.
    • Impacts on housing, social services, and public spaces.
    • Community responses to neoliberal reforms.

    Students will analyze how these changes have influenced contemporary urban challenges and community resilience.