Tim McMannon, an American and Pacific Northwest history instructor, discusses what you get when you cross the Progressive Era, a sensationalist press, 12 hungry young men and free food.

The Poison Squad!

His April 1 presentation kicks off a series of history seminars at Highline Community College.

McMannon’s program will be held from 1:30-2:20 p.m. on the main campus, Building 3, room 102. It is free to the public.

Highline’s main campus is located midway between Seattle and Tacoma at South 240th Street and Pacific Highway South (Highway 99); address: 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines

OTHER FUTURE LECTURES INCLUDE

• April 8, Remembrance of the Dead in Post-World War I England

History instructor Ben Montoya explores how memorializing the dead from the Great War was used to preserve and build national cohesion in England during the postwar years (1918-1920).

• April 15, Myra Albert Wiggins, artist and poet

Susan Rich, an instructor of humanities, literature and writing, examines the work of poet, photographer and painter Myra Albert Wiggins who has been called the first internationally recognized artist in the Pacific Northwest.

• April 22, Environmental Justice and the Duwamish River

Faculty librarian Jonathan Betz-Zall presents this special Earth Day seminar that discusses the people of Seattle’s South Park neighborhood, who have stood up for continued livability since the 1950s and continue to struggle against the industries that pollute their air and water.

• April 29, The American Pig War at 150 Years

Michael Vouri, author of several books about the Pig War and a historian at San Juan Island National Historical Park, discusses the 150th anniversary of the Pig War, a war that never really happened, over a pig that wasn’t really the issue.

• May 6, American Indian Resistance Movements

Anthropology instructor Lonnie Somer focuses on the efforts of American Indians to stop the expansion of Westerners into their territories.

• May 13, The History of HIV

Psychology and behavioral science instructor Bob Baugher discusses why thousands of people in the U.S. still die from AIDS, despite what is known about HIV.

• May 20, Slave Historiography, Stanley Elkins and the Emergence of the New Social History

Literature and writing instructor Tommy Kim discusses how American historians have reconstructed history back to slavery in a variety of ways, not necessarily for historical veracity but rather for political expediency.

• May 27, European Witchcraft Trials

Teri Balkenende, an instructor of western civilization and women’s history, examines the witches of Europe.

• June 3, Peru Double Feature: Women in Peruvian History and Machu Picchu

Ruth Windhover, a literature, humanities and writing instructor, explores the impact of colonialism on the rights of Peruvian women. Ellen Hofmann, a French language and writing instructor, discusses the controversy surrounding the modern discovery of ancient Machu Picchu.