Bethlehem: American Utopia, American Tragedy

FAIN: FZ-280069-21

Seth Moglen
Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA 18015-3027)

Research and writing of a book on Bethlehem, Pennsylvania since its founding in 1741 to the present.

My book explores the enduring contradiction between egalitarianism and domination in American life through a poetic, accessible and carefully researched exploration of one city: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The book traces the 280-year arc of the city’s history, revisiting iconic episodes and motifs in U.S. history and in the American popular imagination: the spiritual city on a hill built into the wilderness; the immigrant industrial metropolis, engine of American global power; the postindustrial crisis and its possible redemption by the glamor of casino capitalism. I demonstrate that aspirations for equality have been more vibrant, more varied in their origins, and more successfully implemented than most readers may imagine. At the same time, I trace the evolving structures of racial and gender hierarchy and economic exploitation that have constrained those aspirations. This book seeks to reinvigorate discussion about what equality has meant – and might yet mean – in the United States.

Associated Products

Lessons from Bethlehem: Innovations in Public Humanities Practice (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Lessons from Bethlehem: Innovations in Public Humanities Practice
Author: Seth Moglen
Abstract: At this symposium, hosted by the Yale University Public Humanities Program, I described the activities of Lehigh University's South Side Initiative in fostering university-community collaborations (focusing especially on pubic humanities and public arts projects). The presentation included a discussion of my NEH-funded book project, *Bethlehem: American Utopia, American Tragedy*.
Date: 8/31/2022
Conference Name: Yale-New Haven Public Humanities Initiative

Bethlehem: American Utopia, American Tragedy (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Bethlehem: American Utopia, American Tragedy
Author: Seth Moglen
Abstract: I presented an account of my NEH-funded book project, "Bethlehem: American Utopia, American Tragedy" at a meeting of the "Thinking Public Humanities" Think Tank gathered at Yale University (hosted by the American Studies Department and Public Humanities program). The presentation was a contribution to our discussions about the development of a new book project, a collection of essays to be developed over the next 24 months.
Date: 10/22/2022
Conference Name: Thinking Public Humanities

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