The History Institute at Manor College
“Without history, we are adrift in an endless sea of everywhen.”
This fall at Manor College we offer a sundry selection of historical reviews, insights and illuminations. The past is a wilderness that the historians cultivate into gardens. Come join us as we stroll amongst the proverbial green and discover long forgotten truths that may help us make sense of the seemingly spiraling present.
Some classes are in person, some remote. All registrants will be sent directions to the classroom and/or a zoom link within 24 hours of the class.(All classes are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a fee of $20.)
For more information or if you have any questions please email us at coned@manor.edu or call (215) 884-2218.
Ukrainian History 101 (in person on campus)
This course lays the foundation for the subsequent classes and takes students through a historic tour of the Kyivan Rus’ period and through the end of the Halych’ko-Volynian Kingdom.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25
Instructor: Roman Dubenko, MA
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fee: $20.00
Register: Click here
Ukrainian History 102 (in person on campus)
This course picks up where 101 left off and takes students from the end of the Halych’ko-Volynian Kingdom period the rise of the Cossacks, “The Hetmanate” period, the Haidamaky rebellions and the growth of modern Ukrainian National consciousness to the 18th century.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 23
Instructor: Roman Dubenko, MA
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fee: $20.00
Register: Click here
Russian Atrocities & War Crimes (zoom only)
Although the 21st century is still in its first quarter, it has already surpassed its bloody predecessor in reported war crimes and atrocities. Just from February 2022 to September 2023, Congressional reports state that 108,904 potential war crimes were perpetrated by Russian forces. This course will examine various noteworthy cases of these barbaric acts, and provide a historical context for their execution in Putin’s genocidal campaign. (Due to the graphic nature of this course, we advise registrants to be at least 18 years of age.)
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 6
Instructor: Mark Thomas, PhD
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fee: $20.00
Register: Click here
Ukrainian History 103 (in person on campus)
This course delves into the 19th and 20th centuries when in the crucible of Empiric wars, Ukraine’s modern national consciousness was forged.
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 20
Instructor: Roman Dubenko, MA
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fee: $20.00
Register: Click here
Victory or Death/The Battle of Trenton (zoom only)
Christmas is a season of joy and celebration. It is also a time to remember one of the American Revolution’s most memorable events. Washington’s Crossing of the Delaware River and the Battle of Trenton were a major turning point in the war. The Continental Army captured most of the Hessian force that was garrisoned in Trenton, with only minimal American losses – a dramatic victory that boosted the battered army’s morale. This class will provide firsthand accounts of the river crossing, the details of the nine-mile march to Trenton, the battle and the impact left behind for us to remember today in Pennsylvania and New Jersey!
Date: Monday, Dec. 2
Instructor: Mike Jesberger
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fee: $20.00
Register: Click here
Ukrainian History 104 (in person on campus)
This course cover the culmination of the previous three classes and puts into context the current crisis precipitated by Moscow’s most invasions of Ukrainian lands in 2014 and 2022.
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
Instructor: Roman Dubenko, MA
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Fee: $20.00
Register: Click here
About the Instructors:
Roman Dubenko
Formally educated at La Salle (BA in History) and Harvard Universities (MA in Soviet Studies,) as well as programs in Ukrainian Catholic University (Rome, Italy) and the Ukrainian Free University (Munich, Germany,) Mr. Dubenko has taught Ukrainian history at the undergraduate level as well as shepherding three generations of Ukrainian-American students through the labyrinth of Ukrainian history at the Ukrainian Heritage School (and its predecessors) for the past 40 years.
Michael Jesberger
Michael Jesberger is an independent military historian who specializes in the American Revolution and Civil War time periods. He is renowned for his depth and breadth of knowledge, as well as his engaging and passionate presentation style, whether providing formal lectures, living history presentations or tours of historic sites in the Tri-state area. A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia region, he is a native of Northeast Philadelphia and has relocated to Bucks and Montgomery County, PA.
Mark Thomas
Dr. Mark Thomas is Fulbright Scholar wit h an MA in International Affairs, an MBA in International Management and a PhD in Political Science. He served the United States in the pivotal years of 1995 to 2016 as an Operations Specialist in the Europe and Asia and was the Special Advisor in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army as well as the Pentagon. Dr. Thomas has taught Central and East European history at the graduate level for over two decades and continues to educate undergraduates in the Dept. Of Political Science at La Salle University.