This is a collection of four video lessons about Dorothea Lange, an American documentary photographer and photojournalist, best known for her Depression-era work, and her works. Teaching materials are included.

The Dust Bowl and resulting western migration that occurred in the 1930s is explored in this video [5:44] segment from the American Masters film Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning. The agricultural devastation and ensuing migration is documented through the eyes and photographs of documentary photographer Dorothea Lange as she captures the influx on film. The segment discusses the causes and consequences of the Dust Bowl and contrasts the migrant farmers' hopes of finding an "American Dream" in California with the distraught reality of farm life on the west coast during this time. Other related videos and teaching materials are included.

This video [4:15] segment from the American Masters film Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning provides a documentary photographer's perspective of the severe economic despair and difficult living conditions that characterized the Great Depression. It also explores Lange's career transition from portrait to documentary photographer, one she felt compelled to make as she witnessed the social experience of the Great Depression from her San Francisco studio window. Lange speaks about the processes, instincts, and feelings she experienced in her new role as a documentary photographer. Other videos and teaching materials are included.

Did you know a photograph can tell a story? A photojournalist tells stories with his photographs. We learn about his cameras and lenses. Watch him take photos and observe as he edits them. Say cheese! Included are links to age-appropriate lesson plans. [9:26]

Dorothea Lange's iconic Migrant Mother photograph, taken during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, is highlighted in this video [3:28] segment from the American Masters film Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning. It uncovers Lange's thoughts and processes around shooting this image, provides cultural and historical context, and illustrates the longevity of its impact. Teaching materials are included.

A lengthy essay on Robert Capa and one of his early controversial photos. Includes a great timeline of his life as well as video footage from the PBS documentary of Capa's life.

U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.Senior Contributing AuthorsP. Scott Corbett, Ventura CollegeVolker Janssen, California State University, FullertonJohn M. Lund, Keene State CollegeTodd Pfannestiel, Clarion UniversityPaul Vickery, Oral Roberts UniversitySylvie Waskiewicz

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Describe the role that muckrakers played in catalyzing the Progressive Era
Explain the main features of Progressivism