Lecture

The Naming of Things and the Presentness of the Past

This module examines the historical significance of the "Stonecutters Riot of 1834," analyzing the implications of naming and the enduring connections between past and present events in New York City.

Topics covered include:

  • The causes and impacts of the Stonecutters Riot.
  • The importance of collective memory in urban narratives.
  • How the events of 1834 resonate with contemporary issues.

Course Lectures
  • This module explores the duality of New York City as both a real and imagined space. It examines how social history reshapes our understanding of the city’s identity over time.

    Key points include:

    • Understanding the myths surrounding New York’s creation.
    • Examining the narratives of various populations.
    • Analyzing historical documents and accounts.
  • This module focuses on the establishment of a Dutch colonial commercial base in New York City. It highlights the displacement of the Lenape Native Americans and the early economic foundations.

    Key topics include:

    • The motivations behind Dutch colonization.
    • The impact on the Lenape community.
    • The development of trade and commerce.
  • This module examines the myths and realities surrounding the narrative of diversity and tolerance in 17th century New York City as it evolved into a commercial capital.

    Topics include:

    • The diverse populations that shaped the early city.
    • Contrasting narratives of tolerance versus actual social dynamics.
    • The rise of global capitalism and its effects on society.
  • This module explores the relationship between the English sweet tooth and the New York slave trade from 1690 to 1725, focusing on social inequality and elite competition for power.

    Key issues addressed include:

    • The economic motivations behind the slave trade.
    • Social hierarchies and class divisions.
    • The role of elite factions in shaping policies.
  • This module discusses the origins of Homeland Security in New York City, focusing on the Zenger Affair and the "Negro Riot of 1741." It examines political and social implications of these events.

    Key points include:

    • The significance of the Zenger Affair in press freedom.
    • The causes and consequences of the "Negro Riot."
    • The development of early security practices.
  • This module examines life in pre-Revolutionary New York, focusing on the experiences of the poor and the affluent. It highlights the emerging social changes and the costs associated with social relief.

    Topics covered include:

    • The daily struggles of the underprivileged.
    • The lifestyles of the elite, including the "Yankee Doodle Dandies."
    • The societal implications of early benevolence efforts.
  • This module discusses the nature of the American Revolution as it unfolded in New York City, focusing on both loyalist and patriot perspectives and the social dynamics at play.

    Key topics include:

    • The impact of the Revolution on different social classes.
    • The role of political factions in shaping public opinion.
    • The everyday experiences of New Yorkers during the conflict.
  • This module explores the transformative factors in New York City during the early 19th century, arguing that technological advancements and entrepreneurship played a more significant role than the War of 1812.

    Key discussions include:

    • The significance of sewing machines and their impact on labor.
    • The role of rivers in transportation and commerce.
    • The emergence of entrepreneurial speculators and their influence on the market economy.
  • This module investigates the fears and challenges faced by urban residents in New York City, such as disease, fire, and the conditions of urban squalor, as well as municipal responses.

    Key issues include:

    • The impact of disease outbreaks on urban populations.
    • Fire disasters and their influence on city planning.
    • The evolution of municipal services and public health measures.
  • This module examines the historical significance of the "Stonecutters Riot of 1834," analyzing the implications of naming and the enduring connections between past and present events in New York City.

    Topics covered include:

    • The causes and impacts of the Stonecutters Riot.
    • The importance of collective memory in urban narratives.
    • How the events of 1834 resonate with contemporary issues.
  • This module discusses the role of benevolent societies and Presbyterianism in addressing the needs of the "dangerous classes" during the 19th century in New York City.

    Key issues include:

    • The emergence of reform movements aimed at social improvement.
    • The tensions between charity and social control.
    • The impact of religious organizations on social policy.
  • This module delves into the experiences of African Americans in antebellum New York, focusing on their struggles for freedom and the abolitionist movement's rise in the city.

    Key discussions include:

    • The social conditions faced by free and enslaved African Americans.
    • The role of key figures in the abolitionist movement.
    • The impact of community activism on social change.
  • The Draft Riot of 1863
    Daniel Walkowitz

    This module examines the Draft Riot of 1863, focusing on how Irish whiteness and industrialization shaped the events and how media narratives have historically altered perceptions.

    Key points include:

    • The causes and social tensions leading to the riot.
    • The role of Irish immigrants in the conflict.
    • How historical narratives have been constructed around race.
  • This module discusses the push and pull factors that influenced new immigrants to New York City and examines how racism has been commodified in various social contexts.

    Topics include:

    • The economic opportunities that attracted immigrants.
    • The impact of racism on immigrant communities.
    • The relationship between capitalism and social identity.
  • This module examines the industrialization of everyday life and labor in New York City, discussing the journey towards the Eight Hour Day and key events such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.

    Key discussions include:

    • The evolution of labor practices and movements.
    • The significance of workplace safety reforms.
    • The role of protests in shaping labor rights.
  • This module explores the conservative reform movements led by the New York bourgeoisie during the Gilded Age, analyzing their influence on economic, political, and cultural institutions.

    Key topics include:

    • The rise of consumerism and its impact on society.
    • The emergence of new cultural institutions, including spectator sports.
    • The socio-political dynamics of Gilded Age New York.
  • This module discusses the evolution of transit systems in New York City between 1830 to 1950, highlighting issues such as corruption, public health, and urban development.

    Key points include:

    • The development of transit infrastructure and its impact on urban growth.
    • Challenges regarding maintenance and public service delivery.
    • The social implications of transit accessibility for residents.
  • This module investigates the cultural transformations in Greenwich Village and Harlem from 1900 to 1930, highlighting their roles as alternative New Yorks and centers of social change.

    Key topics include:

    • The emergence of artistic movements and cultural communities.
    • The influence of jazz and other cultural expressions.
    • The impact of these neighborhoods on broader societal changes.
  • This module discusses the Progressive Reform era, highlighting how middle-class reformers, referred to as "Bobos," worked to empower the marginalized and improve urban living conditions.

    Key themes include:

    • The integration of progressive ideals into public policy.
    • The intersection of social justice and urban development.
    • The role of community engagement in reform efforts.
  • This module explores the transformations in New York City during the New Deal era, focusing on the social and economic reforms that aimed to create a more equitable society.

    Key discussions include:

    • The impact of federal programs on local communities.
    • The role of grassroots movements in shaping reforms.
    • The legacy of these changes in contemporary New York.
  • This module discusses the social and political landscape of New York City during the Cold War, focusing on challenges related to labor movements and economic shifts.

    Key topics include:

    • The influence of the Cold War on local labor dynamics.
    • Economic challenges faced by the working class.
    • The interplay between global events and local policies.
  • This module explores the geographical shifts in race, poverty, and settlement patterns in New York City during the 1950s, discussing suburbanization and its socio-economic impacts.

    Key discussions include:

    • The movement of populations to suburban areas.
    • The effects of race and poverty on urban neighborhoods.
    • The portrayal of these issues in New York television media.
  • This module discusses the struggle for social justice in the 1960s, focusing on the roles of various movements, including civil rights, youth mobilization, and community control of schools.

    Key issues include:

    • The impact of activism on social policies.
    • The interconnection between different movements for justice.
    • The legacy of the 1960s in contemporary social justice efforts.
  • This module investigates the backlash against social movements in New York City, analyzing spatial and ethnic political realignments and their impact on urban dynamics.

    Key discussions include:

    • The responses to movements such as Gay Liberation and Antiwar protests.
    • The implications of the Hard Hat Riot and Stonewall Riot.
    • The effects of housing struggles on urban policy.
  • This module examines the multicultural landscape of New York City at the end of the 20th century, highlighting the diversity and vibrancy of its communities.

    Key points include:

    • The experiences of various cultural groups.
    • The significance of public transportation in connecting diverse neighborhoods.
    • The role of art and culture in shaping identity.
  • Neo-Liberal New York
    Daniel Walkowitz

    This module discusses the rise of neoliberal policies in New York City, analyzing their impact on urban development, social services, and community dynamics.

    Key topics include:

    • The shift towards market-oriented governance.
    • The implications for social equity and access to services.
    • The ongoing debates surrounding urban policy.