"Picturing The American Dream" by David Lavine - BES Virtual Sunday Platform

Picturing The American Dream
David Lavine
Photographer

Note: During the summer, we offer Baltimore Ethical Society members an opportunity to present topics and issues of interest to them. Please enjoy these informal Platforms.

Description:
In 1931, writing in the midst of the Great Depression, the historian James Truslow Adams, coined the phrase, “American Dream”, referring to the main themes of American history, how Americans differed from Europeans in their social aspirations. We will discuss photographs in the areas of American social documentary and advertising. We will look at two sides of the Dream – including the quest for prosperity alongside the dream of equality.

Possible reading:

Jim Cullen, The American Dream, A short History of an idea that shaped a nation.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.
Excerpts from Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography

Duration – 6 weeks. 75-minute class time per week.

Students/Institution– The sponsor is Renaissance Institute of Notre Dame University of Maryland, a senior citizens’ continuing education program. The student education level is mostly bachelor’s degree and above. Attendance is usually 20 students per week.

Biography
David Lavine is a photographer and photography teacher here in Baltimore. He is a History graduate of the University of Delaware. He also received an MFA in photography from MICA - Maryland Institute College of Art. He has been a member of BES for about 10 years, serving on the Program Committee.