America has produced no greater writer-president – arguably, no greater writer – than Abraham Lincoln. In this discussion-based seminar, we will read together a wide array of Lincoln’s speeches, letters, and reports – some famous, some less so, all written with deliberation, precision, moral insight, and rhetorical flare. In traversing these writings, we will put Lincoln into historical context, from his early prairie and lawyer days through his unexpected run for and capture of the presidency. We will proceed chronologically and topically, focusing especially on his evolving views on slavery and emancipation, his infringement (or not?) of civil liberties, and his almost-mystical appreciation of the purpose and meaning of the Civil War.

COURSE FORMAT
This is an interactive online seminar course that meets weekly over 6 weeks. Live online sessions will use the zoom platform. Weekly reading or other forms of materials may be assigned. Weekly sessions will be recorded and available for registered participants to access throughout the course.
There are no papers or grades. This course does not offer any credits or certificates. This course is intended for learning for the love of learning.

COURSE MATERIALS
This course requires participants to purchase reading materials.

The Speeches and Writings of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Don E. Fehrenbacher (Library of America, 1989) (in two volumes: Vol. I, 1832-1858; Vol. II, 1859-1865)

https://www.loa.org/books/571-the-speeches-amp-writings-of-abraham-lincoln-boxed-set/
[Note: The two volumes of Lincoln writings can be purchased in a box set directly from Library of America for $52 (with free shipping). Amazon’s price is slightly higher.]

RECOMMENDED:

Lincoln, David Herbert Donald (Simon & Schuster, 1995)

Registrants will receive access to the course website and the zoom links about two weeks before the course starts.

COURSE CANCELLATION POLICY
Registrants can cancel and receive a full refund up to September 15. After September 15, there will be no refunds issued.
Yale Alumni College courses are subject to schedule changes as well as cancellations. If Yale Alumni College must cancel any course prior to its start due to low enrollment, you will be notified of this by the cancellation date. Upon cancellation of a course, registrants may transfer their registration to another available course or have the registration fee fully refunded.

In the event of a disruption to the original course schedule, including but not limited to; Professor absence, hazardous weather conditions, or local travel restrictions, Yale Alumni College will do its best to reschedule the missed class for the week immediately following the original end date at the same course time and day.

Photo: Abraham Lincoln, oil on canvas by George Healy, 1887; in the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.