Slavery and Freedom in the American North In this course we will study how the “American North,” constituted by New England, New York,  New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, became a place of enslavement. Although often treated as a cradle  of freedom, we will explore how the region’s colonists imported African slaves and enslaved and  exported Native Americans. Through lecture, discussion, and primary sources, we will examine the transatlantic slave trade of Africans and Native Americans, the communities built by enslaved  and free people, the impact of the American Revolution, the creation of gradual abolition statues,  and the perpetuation of enslavement until the Civil War. We will also grapple with the role of  memory in history, as the region’s slaveholding past is often ignored by its inhabitants.

Slavery and Freedom in the American North In this course we will study how the “American North,” constituted by New England, New York,  New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, became a place of enslavement. Although often treated as a cradle  of freedom, we will explore how the region’s colonists imported African slaves and enslaved and  exported Native Americans. Through lecture, discussion, and primary sources, we will examine the transatlantic slave trade of Africans and Native Americans, the communities built by enslaved  and free people, the impact of the American Revolution, the creation of gradual abolition statues,  and the perpetuation of enslavement until the Civil War. We will also grapple with the role of  memory in history, as the region’s slaveholding past is often ignored by its inhabitants. Pre-1800.

Colonial Commodities & Slavery in the Americas In this course, we will examine the development of extractive economies and the relationship between colonialism, consumption, and forced labor in colonial north and South America. Using a comparative approach, we will survey how commodities such as cacao, cotton, coffee, gold, silver, sugar, and tobacco shaped African and Native slavery across the continent. Our topics will include the development of price systems for enslaved people and goods in the world economy, the emergence of ideas regarding racial differences and their relationship with forced labor, how enslaved people resisted their enslavement, and the abolition of slavery across the Americas. Students will examine primary sources such as financial records, slave narratives, historical price indexes, and scholarly monographs. Pre-1800. 3 hr sem.

Race, Medicine, and Health in U.S. History In this course we will explore the historical relationships between race, medicine, and public health in  the United States from colonial times to the present. Through a series of case studies that include  epidemics such as smallpox, yellow fever, and COVID-19, we will trace the origins of racial  classification and its impact on medical care. Our topics include the management of illness in colonial  times, the relationship between medical schools and slavery, the eugenics movement, immigration restrictions, the use of minorities as experimentation subjects, the fight against medical discrimination, and the current struggles for health care access. We will approach these subjects through sources such  as scholarly publications, diaries, documentaries, medical journals, oral histories, and print media. 2  hrs lect./1 hr. disc.

African American History In this course we will examine the history of African Americans from the rise of the transatlantic slave trade  to the present. The course will reveal how African Americans actively shaped their history and the history  of the United States as an American nation. We will explore topics such as the Middle passage, African American slave cultures, enslaved resistance, emancipation, the rise of legalized segregation, mass migrations, and the  continuing struggles for equality. We will approach the subject matter using a variety of primary and secondary sources that focus on the experiences of individuals such as enslaved narratives, autobiographies, documentaries, and oral histories.

Universities and Slavery in America In this seminar we will explore and compare the different histories of enslavement at schools across the  country from colonial times to the present. Some of the questions we will answer include: what was the  importance of slavery in the development of higher education? How did people experience enslavement in  schools? How did universities perpetuate slavery culture? The class will also consider the emerging debates  over reparations and restorative justice and the role of students in these developments across the country. Using our knowledge of other institutions, students will research Middlebury’s place in this history.

Universities and Slavery in America In this seminar we will explore and compare the different histories of enslavement at schools across the  country from colonial times to the present. Some of the questions we will answer include: what was the  importance of slavery in the development of higher education? How did people experience enslavement in  schools? How did universities perpetuate slavery culture? The class will also consider the emerging debates  over reparations and restorative justice and the role of students in these developments across the country. Using our knowledge of other institutions, students will research Middlebury’s place in this history. 3hrs  sem. This course is part of the Public Humanities Labs Initiative administered by the Axinn Center for the Humanities./

Blood & Money: History of Early US Capitalism In this course, we will examine how capitalism emerged, expanded, and enveloped everyday life in the early United States, from colonial times to the Civil War. Our topics will range from the influence of capitalism in the US constitution, how markets shaped gender ideas and human rights, war, and its effects on economic development, the creation of US currency and national banks, and the impact of slavery on the American economy. Ultimately, students will gain an understanding of the forces that shaped the early us economy and the history of current instruments such as credit, currency, financial markets, life insurance, and mortgages. Sources will include financial records, scholarly monographs, state documents, and primary sources. 2 hrs lect. 1 hr disc.

Baseball, Society, and US History In this course we will use baseball as our lens to examine a broad range of issues in U.S. history from the Civil War to the 20th Century. Baseball’s past will allow us to understand social and cultural change by delving into topics such as capitalism, class, gender, identity, immigration, labor rights, and race. We will read autobiographies, box scores, newspaper accounts, and scholarly monographs that trace the evolution of America’s pastime from a leisurely activity to a multimillion-dollar industry. Class activities will allow students to develop reading, writing, and presentation skills, receiving feedback on their progress throughout the term. This course is part of the Public Humanities Labs Initiative administered by the Axinn Center for the Humanities.*

Elsa Mendoza

Reviews and ratings for Elsa Mendoza at Middlebury College.Elsa Mendoza teaches Slavery & Freedom Am. North, Commodities & Slavery Americas, Race, Medicine, Health U.S. and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Elsa Mendoza good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

The course had two group presentations, met once a week for 3 hours, with at least 1 hour being a discussion, and a couple of essays. So there wasn't a lot of assignments, but each class was important to go to. 

This was an overall confusing class to be in, and the workload was exhausting at times. She loved putting people into group work every week, on top of the work you had to do for the discussion period. The discussion period just felt like a second lecture, we had a presentation for that section as well. We have two presentations in total, a major group assignment at the end, mini group assignments, and three essays. She was snarky towards the end of the term, at one point telling us most of the class wasn’t reaching their full potential. 

This course was great! Professor Mendoza was a great teacher. She was very enthusiastic about the subject and did a great job keeping the class engaged in the material. The class met twice a week; the first class was lecture-based (which was very engaging), and the second day was discussion-based. There were only two essays, and you got to pick a week and readings to submit them, and the final was the final group project/presentation. Her grading wasn't easy but very fair. I would recommend this class!