Probable Impossibilities: The American Experiment!

Aristotle said that ‘poets should strive for (writing) “probable impossibilities” (fantastic occurrences that are unlikely to occur - but do) to fully engage their audiences. The ‘poem’ - or story - of America IS a series of “probable impossibilities”! This course focuses on 12 diverse but influential aspects of American History that contributed to the creation of the unique character and strength of this nation. On more than one occasion the future of America hinged precariously on a singular moment or circumstance. We’ll be exploring some of those moments through the following topics: The American Labor Force, the importance of 17th Century Cowboys, American Inventions that changed the world, Sandhogs, Female Pirates, How weather affected the direction of American progress, ‘Ditches’ that saved a struggling nation, Native American and African American Emancipation in the US, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, The 1960’s in America, and Our American Christmas and Hanukkah Traditions. Through ‘history-telling’ and topic-related songs, we’ll explore fascinating and influential events which helped to grow a ‘probably impossible’ nation from a diverse collection of freedom-seeking immigrants and refugees into the most powerful nation on the planet!