Monthly Archives: February 2011

So you say you want a revolution?

Posted on February 27, 2011 by briansandberg

“To those who would change the world, the [French] Revolution still offers a script continuously elaborated and extended—in parliaments and prisons; in newspapers and manifestoes; in revolutions and repressions; in families, armies, and encounter groups. … To those who would … Continue reading →

Posted in Comparative Revolutions, French Revolution and Napoleon | Leave a comment

Revisiting the Military-Industrial Complex

Posted on February 27, 2011 by briansandberg

Andrew J. Bacevich has written a brilliant piece on the Military-Industrial Complex, setting Eisenhower’s famous Farewell Address into a broader perspective on “permanent war.” Bacevich, a Professor of History at Boston University, has emerged as one of the most prominent … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Violence, Uncategorized, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Declaring Rights

Posted on February 27, 2011 by briansandberg

Some thoughts on human rights and political rights as I prepare for my HIST 423 French Revolution and Napoleon discussions this week on the constitutional guarantees debated and passed by the National Assembly in August and September 1789…. Consider the … Continue reading →

Posted in Comparative Revolutions, French Revolution and Napoleon | Leave a comment

Should Guns be Allowed on Campuses?

Posted on February 27, 2011 by briansandberg

A number of states are currently debating bills that would allow handguns to be carried on university campuses. Professors and students at universities and colleges across the United States should be concerned about such proposed legislation. The 14 February shootings … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Policy, History of Violence, Northern Illinois University | Leave a comment

Friendship in Renaissance Florence

Posted on February 27, 2011 by briansandberg

I am enjoying reading Dale Kent, Friendship, Love, and Trust in Renaissance Florence (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2009), in preparation for discussions with my HIST 420 The Renaissance students this week. For a book description, see Amazon.com.  

Posted in Current Research, Early Modern Europe, European History, Renaissance Art and History | Leave a comment

Careers for History Majors: A Panel Discussion

Posted on February 26, 2011 by briansandberg

Careers for History Majors A Panel Discussion Featuring NIU History Alumni   Wednesday 2 March, 12:30-2:00 p.m., Campus Life 100 Northern Illinois University “Think teaching is all you can do with your history degree? Think again!” Undergraduate students at Northern … Continue reading →

Posted in Humanities Education, Northern Illinois University | Leave a comment

Beware of For-Profit Education

Posted on February 26, 2011 by briansandberg

For-profit education has grown exponentially over the past two decades, largely due to subsidies from taxpayers in the form of federal student loans.  In this time of budget cutting, federal dollars should no longer go to for-profit “educational” institutions.  Students … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Policy | Leave a comment

Attacks off Somalia and the History of Piracy

Posted on February 26, 2011 by briansandberg

Another piracy attack off the coast of Somalia has resulted in renewed questions about the dynamics of modern piracy and possible approaches to curbing Somalian pirates’ activities.  Some are now advocating aggressive naval and military intervention by the United States … Continue reading →

Posted in History in the Media, History of Violence, Piracy | Leave a comment

Props and Historical Films

Posted on February 26, 2011 by briansandberg

Props are key to establishing the “look” of the past in historical films.  But, how are props selected and used in films? A new NPR story examines the prop-masters in Hollywood who research, collect, and catalog period objects for use … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film | Leave a comment

Jubilee Quartet and African-American Spirituals

Posted on February 26, 2011 by briansandberg

A fascinating story explores how the Jubilee Quartet at Fisk University attempted to preserve slave-era spirituals in the early twentieth century. Read the story and hear the recordings from the 1900s and 1910s at NPR.  

Posted in Historical Film, Music History | Leave a comment