Civil War and Reconstruction: 1845-1890 This course explores the era of the American Civil War with an emphasis on the period 1861-1865. It combines lectures, readings, class discussion, and film to address such questions as why the war came, why the Confederacy lost, and how the war affected various elements of society. We will also explore what was left unresolved at the end of the war, how Americans responded to Reconstruction, and how subsequent generations have understood the meaning of the conflict and its legacy. We will make a special effort to tie military and political events to life on the home front.

Civil War & Civil Rights In a time of national emergency, the rules governing everyday life often get suspended to meet a more pressing need. What rights of citizens remain protected in these circumstances, and what liberties are vulnerable to erosion? Where are the boundaries of reasonable sacrifice?  While these questions are applicable to every era, we will focus on the years of the American Civil War (the 1860s) to explore them most fully.  We will use the thoughts of 19th-century Americans and Confederates and the arguments of historians as our guide towards deep thinking and discussion about rights, liberties, individual responsibility, and community cohesion.

Ralph Ellison and His Influence(s) Ralph Ellison is a pivotal figure in American letters. His fiction—most notably his 1952 novel Invisible Man—draws inspiration from an encyclopedic list of sources, from Benjamin Franklin’s 1791 autobiography to Norbert Weiner’s 1950 treatise on cybernetics. His oeuvre, in turn, continues to influence creatives like Percival Everett, Spike Lee, Jesmyn Ward, and Colson Whitehead, whose imagined worlds contain distinctly Ellisonian elements. In this course, we will explore Ellison’s fiction, criticism, and photography in this expanded context and learn why Ellison is, in the words of Timothy Parrish, “arguably the most important black intellectual after [W. E. B.] Du Bois,” and “the essential figure of twentieth-century American letters.”

Catastrophic Memories: Past and Present Perspectives on the American Civil War and Second World War How do people remember traumatic events? How do those memories impact our American and priorities in the present? How might they guide goals for the future? And what roles can History play in that process? In this course we will examine how two great catastrophes—the American Civil War and the Second World War—have been remembered over time and space. We will consider what roles historical memories play in American society, how collective memories are formed, and what makes them change. To do so, we will consider a broad range of sources—major films, historical fiction, popular non-fiction, and historical scholarship. Students end by examining one facet or feature of these historical memories of their choosing.

Acoustic Ecology Acoustic ecology is the study of sounds in relationship to life and society. An interdisciplinary field, it explores the social, cultural, scientific, and ecological aspects of the sonic environment.  In this seminar  we will gain auditory literacy by experiencing the world through sound (e.g., noise, speech, music). Topics will include the impact of noise on society; the urban experience through sound (especially Berlin and New York); aural architecture; production and reception of speech; representations of sound in literature and the visual arts; and even emotional responses to certain songs. Sources include texts by neuroscientists, literary scholars, linguists, anthropologists, musicologists, and others; music, and films.

History of American Women: 1869-1999 This course will examine women's social, political, cultural, and economic position in American society from 1869 through the late 20th century. We will explore the shifting ideological basis for gender roles, as well as the effects of race, class, ethnicity, and region on women's lives. Topics covered will include: women's political identity, women's work, sexuality, access to education, the limits of "sisterhood" across racial and economic boundaries, and the opportunities women used to expand their sphere of influence. 3 hrs lect./disc.

Chronicling COVID-19: Capturing the Pandemic Experience in Vermont The COVID-19 pandemic has altered our lives and challenged the way our communities and institutions operate.  The availability of vaccines has made it possible to gain some perspective on COVID and its impact.  In this course we will work as chroniclers and interpreters of the local community’s responses to COVID.  In addition to situating COVID among other notable public health emergencies in Vermont – the 1918 pandemic, the 1927 flood, and the 2011 Irene disaster – we will explore the experiences of Addison County residents as they navigated this pandemic.  In collaboration with Special Collections, we will conduct oral history interviews and gather other historical materials for this multi-staged class research project.

Writing History In this course students discuss historical methods and writing strategies to create convincing historical narratives. With the approval and guidance of the professor, students complete a 20-25-page research paper based on primary and secondary sources. Students take this course in the fall of their junior year or with permission in the spring.  If students are away for the entire junior year, they can take the course in the fall of their senior year. 3 hr. sem. Restricted to HIST, ESHI, HSMT majors and HIST minors.

Amy Morsman

Reviews and ratings for Amy Morsman at Middlebury College.Amy Morsman teaches Civil War and Reconstruction, Civil War & Civil Rights, Ralph Ellison,His Influence(s) and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Amy Morsman good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

This class covered interesting material, but I felt it was pitched a little bit low, as if it were a FYSE. We spent too much time covering how to learn/read/do projects, and felt we could have spent more time covering content. Short readings were interesting, but we did read a longer novel that was not so interesting or helpful. Quizzes are difficult, but projects are manageable. Professor is great, very nice.

I highly recommend taking a class with Professor Morsman. She is a great professor and is very accommodating. The class was interesting and the reading was generally light with the exception of a few weeks. 

I loved Amy. Showed a bunch of energy and passion for the subject which was contagious. Cared a lot about the development of her students and took the time to explain why she was doing things a certain way. Lots of reading and project heavy but overall very doable. 