Lin-Manuel Miranda’s record-breaking musical Hamilton asks, “Who lives? Who dies? Who tells your story?”
Brad Austin’s “Hamilton in Salem” first year seminar examines Miranda’s play, the Ron Chernow biography that inspired it, and the connections between Salem and the Revolutionary Era. But beyond the academic material, a central theme of the course is empowering students to understand their role in their own story, as well as their connections with the university and each other.
During the seminar, students discover Salem’s role as a central economic player during the 18th century and the city’s ties to the Caribbean trade. They study the lyrics, staging and choreography of Hamilton, visit Salem sites significant to the time period, and examine primary sources for additional context. The class discusses how dynamics of race, gender and economic class impacted the fates of different historical figures.
In addition to the academic course material, the class covers what Austin calls “how to college”: the differing paces of the semester, habits to set them up for success, academic support services, and campus resources to encourage their well-being. While the academic work is an important part of the seminar experience, the mentoring element equips students for the rest of their undergraduate experience.
“First year seminar has two goals: skill development and connection,” Austin said. If students can develop a sense of connection to their peers, their professors, their university and their city, they have a much better chance at being successful.
With such a wide range of topics to choose from, every class meeting is different. The class includes a number of history and theatre majors, along with a host of other academic interests and undeclared students. Their familiarity with Hamilton ranges from those who have never heard a note to those who know every word.
“We never know what direction a conversation is going to take or what topics are going to come up, and that’s what makes the class great,” Austin noted.
Following the first Hamilton in Salem seminar last year, Austin was named the Outstanding First Year Advocate. In one nomination, a student wrote, “[Professor Bradley] has demonstrated time and time again the importance that each student is to him and how he is willing to do what it takes to help us succeed. He has taught us the values needed to be able to achieve our desired goals for college and has shown us the tools that we have to assist us in the process.”