Mini Courses and Presentations
Mini Courses
Multi-series courses that encourage participants to dig in to the history and current relevance of the subject.
Single Topic Presentations
Single issue presentations on topics of historical interest (60-90 min each).
Reel Justice
Movie of the Month Club! Four monthly offerings in 75-90 minute blocks of time.
Single Topic Presentations
These interactive presentations are designed as 60, 75, or 90 minute discussions on topics of historical of interest. They are offered as singletons but could be done as a series upon request.
This is a comprehensive list of all single topic presentations currently available from Frank Sachs
Presentations Available on U.S. Government and American Civics
(All presentations can be presented in 60 or 75-minute blocks.)
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- The Road to Revolution: Plymouth to Philadelphia the story of the Declaration of Independence.
- Inventing a Nation : What really happened in Philadelphia the summer of 1787?
- The Federalist Papers: What they were, and how they define how our government was to work.
- Origin of the Bill of Rights: How and why the BOR came into being to protect our most indispensable rights.
- What the Bill of Rights Protects – What personal rights, rights of the accused and states are protected?
- The Civil War Amendments: 13th, 14th and 15th – How they came about, what each was designed to protect.
- The Supreme Court Part 1: It’s origin, history, evolution, phases, changes, 1789 to 1968.
- The Supreme Court Part 2: 1969 to the current status are discussed and what is before the court this year.
- The Supreme Court can be presented in one but is best if done as two back-to-back presentations.
- Our Voting Rights: How we came by our voting rights: where, what, and who votes have changed over time.
- Our Representative Government: How Representation has changed over time, and where it stands today.
- Gerrymandering – After the Census the states redistrict and that’s when Gerrymandering begins.
- Presidential Nominating Process: How it’s evolved over time and what shape it might take in the future?
- Presidential Campaigning: How have Presidential campaigns changed since the beginning of the republic?
- Presidential Debates: When did they begin? How have they evolved, and what purpose do they serve?
- The Electoral College: What was it designed to do, how has it changed, and how it’s working today?
- Presidential Inaugurals: What made some inaugurals standout, while others have faded away?
Presentations Available on U.S. History
(All presentations can be presented in 60, 75, or 90-minute blocks.)
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- November 22, 1963 – The day a generation of lost their innocence and a widow taught us to grieve.
- December 7, 1941: “A day that will live in infamy.” Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
- The Origins of Thanksgiving How the Pilgrim’s celebration in 1621 inspired a National Holiday.
- Origins of President’s Day: How the birthdays of two President gave rise to a Federal Holiday.
- Origins of Martin Luther King Day – Dr. King, his life, and pivotal role in the 50’s – 60’s Civil Rights.
- Origins of Flag Day – How John Adams, Betsy Ross and George Washington created the flag or did they?
- Liberty Enlightening the World: Inspiring story of the creation, building, and meaning of The Statue of Liberty.
- American Immigration – Where did we come from and when? How did Ellis Island figure in?
- Women Who Would be President – No woman has been president, but it isn’t for lack of trying.
- America’s Unique Gift to the World: The story behind the creation of our National Park System.
- Mt. Rushmore: Story of the memorial to the founding, expansion, preservation, and unification of U. S.
- Five Women from the Early Republic – A slave poet, a women’s rights advocate, a prominent essayist, a war heroine, and the first to be called “First Lady.”
- Women Suffrage: Beginning in Seneca Falls, followed by the 19th Amendment, and on to the ERA.
Special Monthly History Series
I can offer monthly presentations that connect to something that is special about each month. Here are the topics I would suggest for such a program:
- (September) Celebrate Constitution Day – “The Writing of the Constitution” …
- (October) Statue of Liberty Dedicated –“The origin story behind – Liberty Enlightening the World” …
- (November) The Origins of Thanksgiving –“How the Pilgrims left us a American tradition.”…
- (December) December 7, 1941 – “A Day That Will Live in Infamy”…
- (January) The Origins of Martin Luther King Day – “I have a dream.”…
- (February) The Origins of Presidents Day “Hail to the Chief! … A salute to our great leaders and more.”…
- (March) The Legacy of the Women’s Suffrage Movement … Seneca Falls to the Right to Vote to the ERA …
- (April) Lee Surrenders and Lincoln are assassinated … Both occur in the same week, April 9 – 15, 1865 …
- (May) Origins of Mother’s Day (Father’s Day) … “Saying thank you to the special people in our lives.”…
- (June) Flag Day – The Origins of the American Flag …“I pledge allegiance to the flag…..”
- (July) Independence Day … “The origins of our Declaration of Independence.”…
Mini Courses
Each series is comprised of five or to six lessons/presentations that can be presented in 60, 75 or 90 minute sessions. Each tells the story of how our government was created and chronicle moments in our America’s history.
My American Government Series
All classes are taught once a week and can be presented in 60, 75, or 90-minute blocks. Each course is a series five or six individual classes which are part of a series of five consecutive classes but each can be taught as a single unit.
Part 1: American Foundations – Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the Constitution (6 lessons)
We will examine the history and construction of these three foundational documents and follow the journey of how thirteen English Colonies came to declare independence, build a nation, and write a historic original governing document, the Constitution.
Part 2: The Bill of Rights – And the additional Amendments Discussed and Explained (6 lessons)
We will learn how the constitution was ratified, and why a Bill of Rights was added, and what civil liberties it protects, and how the subsequent 17 amendments were designed to help the government function and others to protect our civil rights.
Part 3: A Friend of the Court – How the Criminal Justice System in America Works (5 lessons)
We will learn how crimes are classified and how the criminal Justice system works to simultaneously enforce the law while protecting our rights under it. We explore of the rights of the accused, the proper role of law enforcement, and those who defend or prosecute plaintiffs, the role of judges who supervise and the jury who decides a case, and learn how appeals courts determine if the case was judged appropriately.
Part 4: The American Political Process Discussed and Explained (6 lessons)
“A chicken in every pot,” Candidate Herbert Hoover 1928 campaign slogan is emblematic of how the American political system has evolved over the past 250 years. These presentations explain how the change has occurred in our political process, and evolved into the system we use today.
Part 5: American Institutions Examined (6 lessons)
Every country has a political culture with shared beliefs, values, and norms that define the relationship between citizens and government, and citizens to one another. America is no different so it helps to understand our country’s governmental institutions which helps us to make sense of the way the founders designed them and how they function today.
My US History Courses Offered
Each of these classes consists of either 5 or 6 weekly presentations in 60, 75, or 90-minute blocks.
Accidental Presidents – Nine Presidents left office before their term expired elevating their Vice-President to the presidency (6 lessons)
Eight died in office. Four were of natural causes, four were cut down by an assassin’s bullet, and one resigned before his term was over. Together we will examine how each early exit changed the course of American history.
Disputed Elections. – Six Presidential Elections that changed America (6 lessons)
Four Presidential elections results have been disputed and in two others the nominating process was very irregular and came under great criticism. Together we will discuss why they were disputed, how the disputes were resolved, what was the impact on the presidency that followed, and American history?
Neglected History 1, 2, and 3(5 lessons)
This class is an opportunity for you to refresh your memory about important people, events, or movements that have been often overlooked, neglected, or rarely discussed in American History. Together we will examine and discuss The Federalist Papers, November 22, 1963, Five Women who would be President, The origins of our National Parks, and the history of American Immigration.
Class 1:
- Ratification of the Constitution – It was a close call.
- November 22, 1963 – A widow teaches us to grieve.
- Four Women who would be President – Each will surprise you.
- America Gift to the World – The origins of our National Parks.
- The History of American Immigration – Who we are and where we came from and when.
Class 2:
- The Federalist Papers – How our government was designed to work.
- Last Stand to I Will Fight No More Forever – From the greatest victory to a final defeat.
- America’s First Woman President – Edith Wilson Stewardship.
- The Scottsboro Boys – A travesty of Justice makes justice work better for us all.
- Flight Captures America’s Imagination Part I & Part 2 – From the Wright Brothers to Apollo 11
Class 3:
- Origins of the American Flag – Betsy Ross and so much more.
- Women’s Suffrage: Seneca Falls, to securing the Vote, to the ERA.
- The Gettysburg Address – Second fiddle takes first place.
- The Black Sox Scandal – How greed saved America’s pastime.
- “Tear down this wall,” From building to the fall of the Wall.
America in a World of Empires 1 and 2
6 lessons for each part
In this class we examine how each of the distinct foundational American cultures were established through the experiences of European Settlers and the influences of the outside world. As we progress we will examine a history of the epic struggle between individual liberty and the common good and how each region continues to uphold its distinguishing ideals and identities today.
Colin Woodard’s best seller, American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, is our guide but purchase of the book is optional as you will not need it to follow the lessons.
Part 1 begins by exploring who was here first. Then we examine where and why people came to America from other parts of the world as we explore their encounters upon arrival. We begin with the Spanish in El Norte, then New France, the Tidewater aristocrats, and conclude with Yankeedom. the New England colonies.
Part 2 explores the arrival of the Dutch in New Netherlands, the founding of the Barbados Slave culture in the Deep South, the Quakers in the Midlands, and how the Scotch/Irish founded Greater Appalachia. We will then see how the French and Indian war provided valuable lessons to enable these diverse national cultures to come together to fight for independence.
Reel Justice
Discussions include films accurately depicted in the American judicial system. It operates like a movie of the Month Club with four monthly offerings and is offered in a 75–90-minute blocks of time.
Each participant will receive instructions on how to watch the films. Those offering this series will choose how instructions will be disseminated. Then participants are given the list of four films to watch and which one will be discussed and analyzed each month. Each series runs for four months, meeting once each month to discuss and analyze a different film. There are two categories of films offered those accurately depicting the American Judicial System and films depicting Real Legal Events in U.S. History.
Films about the American Judicial System
The first four films offered that accurately depicted American Justice will be:
- 12 Angry Men (1957) Criminal case – Jury deliberations for a 1st degree murder trial.
- The Verdict (1982) Civil case – Suit for medical malpractice for causing brain death.
- A Few Good Men (1992) Military Justice – Accidental homicide results in a murder trial.
- Philadelphia (1993) Civil case – Suit for workplace prejudice during the AID’s epidemic.
Films about Real Legal Events in U.S. History
The first four films offered which accurately depict an actual event in American Judicial system will be:
- Inherit the Wind (1960) Criminal case – For teaching evolution in violation of Tennessee state law
- American Hustle (2013) Criminal – Entrapment in 1980, and bribery scandal that occurred in New Jersey.
- North Country (2005) Civil Suit – for damages caused by a sexual assault in northern Minnesota in 2002.
- Just Mercy (2017) Criminal – Appeal wrongful murder conviction and death sentence in Alabama in 2014.