The Rooseveltian Century

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/roosevelt

Introduction

### Course Review: The Rooseveltian Century #### Overview "The Rooseveltian Century," available on Coursera, is an engaging and insightful course that delves deeply into the lives, ideals, and contributions of three pivotal figures in American history: Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Often referred to as the "3Rs," these leaders have profoundly shaped U.S. politics, society, and identity throughout the twentieth century. This course offers a rich blend of historical research, critical analysis, and thoughtful interpretation, encouraging students to adopt the mindset of a historian and appreciate the complexities of historical inquiry. #### Course Content and Structure The course is organized into five comprehensive modules, each exploring a crucial theme central to understanding the Roosevelts' impact on American history and global politics. 1. **Introduction**: This initial module lays the groundwork for the course, introducing students to the biographies of the 3Rs, their public achievements, and their unique motivations. It provides context on how their lives intersect with the rise of the U.S. as a global power during the twentieth century, enabling students to see the interconnectedness of personal ambition and national progress. 2. **Security**: This module dives into the varied interpretations of security held by each of the Roosevelts. It breaks down the concepts of national, social, and human security, allowing students to assess the Roosevelts’ roles in redefining security in the international arena. This portion of the course encourages participants to think critically about contemporary definitions of security in light of historical perspectives. 3. **Equality**: Focused on social justice and equity, this module examines how the 3Rs fought for political, social, and economic equality. Students will analyze significant reforms and movements championed by the Roosevelts, understanding their legacy in the ongoing struggle for equality in the United States and beyond. 4. **Freedom**: Here, students explore the multifaceted nature of freedom as interpreted by the Roosevelts. This module emphasizes the importance of various rights and liberties and encourages learners to engage with a historical discourse around the evolution of freedom in American society. 5. **Legacies**: The final module ties everything together by discussing the enduring legacies of the Roosevelts. Students reflect on the innovative political strategies, reforms, and communication methods employed by the 3Rs, examining how their contributions have influenced modern politics. #### Recommendation I wholeheartedly recommend "The Rooseveltian Century" to anyone interested in American history, political science, or social justice. The course's structure is well-designed, seamlessly connecting historical biography to broader themes like security, equality, and freedom. Each module encourages students to think critically, utilize primary sources, and engage with historical narratives. Additionally, the course is suitable for a broad audience, including students, history enthusiasts, and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of how the Roosevelts' legacies resonate in contemporary society. With the historical context provided, participants can appreciate the significance of the 3Rs beyond their time, making this course not only educational but also incredibly relevant. By the end of this course, students will not only have a greater appreciation for Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt but will also have honed their analytical skills, enabling them to engage meaningfully in discussions about past and present political issues. Enroll in "The Rooseveltian Century" on Coursera to embark on a journey that sheds light on one of the most transformative periods in American history!

Syllabus

Introduction

This module focuses on the foundational elements of this course. It explores the biographies of the 3Rs, their public achievements, and what motivated them to become the major public figures that we recognise today. The overall learning goal is to make students aware of the connections between the bios of the 3Rs and the rise of the U.S. as a global power in the twentieth century.

This module focuses on the concept of security and how each of the Roosevelts understood it and defined it in their own way. Students will learn the distinction between national, social, and human security and will assess the influence of the 3Rs in expanding the meaning of security and how we use the word today.

This module focuses on the concepts of equality and social justice. Students will learn to identify how the 3Rs contributed to the promotion of social, political and economic equality and will be able to recognize their most lasting achievements in securing equality and social justice in the United States and around the world.

This module focuses on the ideas and ideals of freedom that the 3Rs promoted throughout their lives. Students will see how the 3Rs put forward a multi-dimensional understanding of freedom, covering many different rights and liberties.

This module focuses on the Rooseveltian legacy. Students will learn to recognize the innovative elements that the 3Rs brought to modern-day politics, and how their legacies live on through their particular skills and achievements as political campaigners, administrative innovators, popular mobilisers, multi-media communicators, and wide-ranging reformers.