American Monument Cultures

Cities, institutions, and impassioned individuals are pulling down statues of people implicated in the histories of slavery, colonization and violence.  This class explores why monuments are important, how they have been used historically to assert political and social power and different points of view on where to go from here. 

The nation is caught up in a vital debate about how historical figures and events should be recorded in the public square.  Spurred by protests in Charlottesville, VA in the summer of 2017 and moved forward during the uprisings against police brutality in the summer of 2020, cities, institutions and impassioned individuals are pulling down and removing statues of Confederate leaders and other individuals implicated in the histories of slavery, colonization and violence even as objections are raised to these actions from both the left and the right.  This activism led to the formation of a commission to study New York City’s built environment in fall 2017 and its resolution advocating both taking down and putting up monuments here.

Why are Monuments so important?  How have they been used historically to assert political and social power?  This course introduces the history of monument culture in the United States, focusing on monuments related to three controversial subjects:  the Vietnam War, the Confederacy, and the “discovery” of America.  We will study when, by whom, and in what form these monuments were erected and how artists and audiences of the past and present have responded to them.  In addition to gaining historical background, students will create a podcast exploring the history and impact of a public monument in New York City.  Class meetings will combine lecture and discussion and will include several guest speakers.