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Online Course

Smithsonian’s Objects That Define America

Smithsonian Institution via edX

(2)
Found in History Courses
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  • Provider edX
  • Cost Free Online Course (Audit)
  • Session Self Paced
  • Language English
  • Certificate $50 Certificate Available
  • Effort 1-2 hours a week
  • Duration 5 weeks long
  • Learn more about MOOCs

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Overview

This course, produced with The Great Courses, will look at four key themes in the History of America as presented by Dr. Richard Kurin, Undersecretary for History, Art and Culture at the Smithsonian.

  • American Icons – from the Star Spangled Banner to the Statue of Liberty – how have these become iconic symbols for Americans? What do these icons represent in a global context?
  • Rights and Liberties – from the Declaration of Independence to the Greensboro Lunch Counter, how have Americans defined, and continue to define, their rights and governance?
  • America the Beautiful – From evidence of the continent’s first inhabitants to the conservation efforts of the Smithsonian’s scientists, how have the American people – both native and settler – envisioned, explored, worked and protected the land and its resources?
  • Spirit of Invention – from the Model T to the space program, how have America’s pioneering inventions changed the world?

In this course you will gain a unique perspective on American history and culture by learning the stories behind objects that were, and continue to be, an essential part of U.S. history. Most importantly, you will reflect on what objects have personal meaning to you, and the role that symbolic objects play in your own histories.

This course is adapted from the video lecture series produced by Smithsonian and The Great Courses, Experiencing America: A Smithsonian Tour Through History.

Taught by

Richard Kurin

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Reviews for edX's Smithsonian’s Objects That Define America Based on 2 reviews

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Sophia N
by Sophia completed this course, spending 3 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be medium.
Very helpful and applicable to the modern day! Definitely check this one out if you're into American history; the videos are informative and engaging (albeit long), the resources are helpful, and the artefacts are pulled straight from the museum itself.
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Aana A
Aana completed this course, spending 5 hours a week on it and found the course difficulty to be hard.
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