Class 2: Revolutionary (and Not So Revolutionary) Beginnings 

Class 2: Revolutionary (and Not So Revolutionary) Beginnings 

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Professor Joanne Freeman begins her section on The American Experiment.

This one-time-only course examines U.S. history from 1776 to the present, in advance of the nation’s semiquincentennial (or 250th birthday) in 2026. Taught jointly by Professors Joanne Freeman, David Blight, and Beverly Gage, the course emphasizes the history of the nation-state and the contested nature of American national identity. All three scholars will deliver the course’s first and final lectures together, as an introduction and a wrap-up. In between, they will each deliver eight lectures individually based on their areas of expertise.

Joanne Freeman, the Alan Boles, Class of 1929 Professor of History and American Studies, and an expert in the revolutionary and early national periods of American history, will cover the period from the Revolution up through the 1830s, touching on such topics as the birth of party politics, the nature of “Jacksonian democracy,” and the rise of the reform and protest movements.
David Blight, Sterling Professor of History and African American Studies and one of the country’s foremost authorities on the history of slavery and the Civil War, will cover the Civil War era up through Reconstruction and the emergence of the Jim Crow laws.
Beverly Gage, John Lewis Gaddis Professor of History, who is currently writing a book on the nation’s past to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, will pick up in the 1890s and continue through the end of the 20th century, addressing debates around immigration, wealth inequality, and the creation of the social welfare state.
The course explores U.S. political history broadly conceived–not just as a realm of presidents and elections and wars (though there will be plenty of those) but as a conversation across time between citizens about what the United States is, was, and was meant to be. It proceeds from the premise that the American Revolution was the first but not the last radical act of national reimagining in U.S. history.

Interview with Jimmy Hatch ’24, The Ivy League Insurgent

Interview with Jimmy Hatch ’24, The Ivy League Insurgent

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Hannah and Mark interview Jimmy Hatch, a recent Yale graduate and 26-year US military veteran who is the host of the new podcast, The Ivy League Insurgent. As a former Navy SEAL, Purple Heart recipient, and nonprofit founder, Jimmy became Yale’s oldest freshman at the age of 52. In their interview, Jimmy reflects on his remarkable story, the importance of connecting with those who are different, and how the humanities have shaped his understanding of what it means to be a “better human.”

The Branch Interview

The Branch Interview

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This special episode of the Heartwood Podcast explores the brotherhood created among members of The Easley Branch record label and their artistic expression. RaShad Eas, B God Body, and JS2000 discuss their use of music to overcome challenges and enhance their experience in university and professional settings. The members also speak to the equanimity they exude and the importance of their desire for more knowledge. Tune in and don’t miss out on this wisdom.

They are joined by DJ Green as he films.

Across Silos: Using Social Entrepreneurship for Change

Across Silos: Using Social Entrepreneurship for Change

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In this episode of Global Health Insights, host Dr. Sharon Chekijian sits down with Dr. Teresa Chahine, Senior Lecturer at the Yale School of Management and Faculty Director of the Social Innovation Initiative at the Jackson School of Global Affairs. Dr. Chahine reflects on her journey from Lebanon to Yale, where she pioneered social entrepreneurship in global health through teaching, mentorship, and innovation.

Dr. Chahine explores how entrepreneurship can disrupt the status quo in public health, addressing root causes of inequity through bold, systems-oriented approaches. She highlights the importance of teaching the next generation to move beyond problem analysis to solution-building, and discusses her vision of “framework change” in health, education, and beyond. Through personal stories of mentorship, global impact, and the balance between her home country of Lebanon and the diaspora, she highlights how every individual can become a changemaker.

Selecting High School Courses

Selecting High School Courses

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A prospective student’s high school transcript is the most important individual component of an application. Hannah and Mark discuss what admissions officers look for when reviewing transcripts and how transcripts demonstrate an applicant’s academic preparedness and academic resourcefulness. They share advice on building a high school course schedule and how to navigate the challenges that inevitably arise when students are unable to enroll in their preferred courses. The hosts share answers to some of the most frequently asked questions and give their advice on how to keep a healthy perspective on often-fraught topics such as mathematics placement and maximizing advanced courses.

Episode 4: Kholood Khair

Episode 4: Kholood Khair

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In this episode, host Rob Malley and guest Kholood Khair examine Sudan’s war, the international failures to stop it, and the urgent need to elevate civilian voices in the push for justice, democracy, and lasting peace.
Kholood Khair is the founder and director of Confluence Advisory, a ‘think and do tank’ founded in Khartoum, that works on three priority policy areas: peace and security, economy, and governance. This year, Kholood is part of the inaugural Yale Peace Fellows working on inclusive peace.

In Sudan, during its short-lived transition to democracy, Kholood also hosted and co-produced Spotlight 249, Sudan’s first English language political discussion and debate show aimed at young Sudanese.

Kholood career has, for almost two decades, spanned the fields of research, aid programming, mediation and policy in Sudan and across the Horn of Africa. She has written research and analysis pieces for several international publications and has provided analyses for research and policy institutions worldwide. Kholood has briefed the UN Security Council twice, as well as testified in the US Congress, twice and UK Parliamentarians.

The host: Robert Malley is a seasoned diplomat and conflict resolution expert with decades of experience in international affairs. He has served in senior roles under multiple U.S. administrations, including as Special Envoy for Iran and as a lead negotiator for the Iran nuclear deal. He is a senior fellow at Yale University and the founding director of the Yale Peace Fellows program.

This episode is part of a 4-part interview series with Yale’s 2025 Peace Fellows. Find out more about the Yale Peace Fellowship: Yale Peace Fellowship – Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs