“Studies in U.S. Constitutional Democracy”: KICD Course at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (March 6, 13, 20; April 3)

How did early U.S. constitutional democracy develop? How did it evolve from colonial times through the crisis over slavery? What happened to the social forms of constitutional democracy as this political system moved into the interior of the continent? Finally, how are the citizens of rural Missouri today engaging with the history and memory of U.S. constitutional democracy? Join four professors from the Kinder Institute for this series of lectures at MU Extension’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The courses will be taught in a hybrid format (in-person and online attendance options) from 1:00-2:30pm on March 6, 13, 20; and April 3. More information can be found here on the OLLL website.

March 6, “Roads to Revolution: How the First Global War Remade North America and Paved the Path of the Patriot Cause”

How did the first global war lead to an American revolution? Join Dr. Alec Zuercher Reichardt, Assistant Professor at the Kinder Institute and MU Department of History, for a look into how roads to British power became roads to American Revolution.

March 13, “Elections in the Early U.S. Republic”

What occurred during the first elections? In this session, Dr. Jay Dow, MU Professor of Political Science, will explore early American elections through the lens of franchise, party politics, voting practices, campaigning, turnout and related topics.

March 20, “The Ride of the Immortal Ten: A Transatlantic Quest for Justice, Freedom and Survival in the Border West”

Dr. Jeff Pasley, MU Professor and Kinder Institute Chair of Early American History, will present on the sometimes tragic adventures across the West of “The Immortal Ten,” who, starting in 1859, led Black troops in battle, tried to rescue their friend John Doy from a Missouri jail, and stood up for both Indigenous rights and reproductive freedom.

April 3, “Museum on Main Street: Bringing the Smithsonian to Rural Missouri”

In this session, Dr. Lily Santoro, Associate Teaching Professor of History and Constitutional Democracy, will present on Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a Smithsonian exhibit traveling to six small towns across Missouri in 2025. Learn how scholars and volunteers from MU and Missouri Humanities are building connections with rural Missourians to celebrate and preserve their history.