Whether we experienced it as children or only through the stories and life choices made by our parents, we have all been influenced by the economic, social, political and cultural upheavals that began in 1929. The Great Depression had massive impacts in nearly all areas of American society. This course will explore the forces that allowed the Depression to happen and examine its far-reaching effects on such areas as manufacturing, labor relations, the political system, social safety net, family life, agriculture and mass communications.

Format: Each participant will be asked to lead a 50-minute class segment expanding on a particular aspect of the period. The session can take the form of a slide presentation, one or more videos, a talk by a guest speaker or provocative questions, allowing 20-25 minutes for group discussion. This is a Zoom video conferencing class (see box below for more information).

Resources/Expenses: Since Yesterday: The 1930s in America, by Frederick Lewis Allen, is available in libraries, on Kindle and in paperback new and used for $5.00 and up.

Coordinators Art Norwalk and Bob Siminski previously coordinated a Global History course together.