Travel course at University of Richmond examines the Civil War from an African-American perspective

July 23, 2008

The events leading to the Civil War, with an emphasis on slavery and the African-American experience at the time, are the focus of a new one-day course at the University of Richmond's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

"The Coming Storm: The Constitution and the Civil War" will examine the origins of U.S. history, how the Constitution contained the seeds of the Civil War and the war's impact on African-Americans. The course will include lectures and tours at Monticello and Montpelier.

"Until recently, the African-American perspective has been underrepresented in discussions about the Civil War," said Jane Dowrick, Osher Institute director. "This course is an opportunity to better understand the impact of the war on all Americans."

The course is sponsored by The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, an organization promoting awareness of the 175-mile Journey Through Hallowed Ground corridor from Gettysburg to Monticello.

The course will be held on June 30 and costs $150 for Osher members and non-members. Registration is available through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. For more information, call 804-287-6608 or 804-287-6344 or visit scs.richmond.edu/osher.