In the Spring of 2025, Prof. Alexandra Leah Prince taught a class in the department of Religious Studies at Skidmore College that focused on Peoples Temple and Jonestown. As one of the class assignments, student transcribed letters that were written by Jonestown residents in 1977 and 1978 and that were released to this site under the Freedom of Information Act. Students also wrote short papers reflecting on the experience of the transcription work and what they had learned about the Temple. They also wrote more substantive papers on different aspects of Temple life.<\/p>\n
Selected term papers appear below.<\/p>\n
\nThe C Word: The Dynamic Relationship Between Peoples Temple History and the Term Cult<\/a>, by David Guo and Lucien Rosado-Soto<\/p>\n
Peoples Temple in Print: The Role of Print Media in Shaping the Peoples Temple Narrative prior to November 18th, 1978<\/a>, by Connor Rustin<\/p>\n
The Seniors of Peoples Temple: Capitalism, Ageism, and The Draw of a Communal-Socialist Movement for Older Americans<\/a>, by Ella Stuccio<\/p>\n
Peoples Temple and Media: A Feedback Loop for Generations<\/a>, by Landon Weber<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Selected reflections on the transcription work appear below.<\/p>\n
\nJonestown Transcription \u2013 Willow Forbes<\/a><\/p>\n
Jonestown Transcription \u2013 David Guo<\/a><\/p>\n
Jonestown Transcription \u2013 Jack Rovillard<\/a><\/p>\n
Jonestown Transcription \u2013 Connor Rustin<\/a><\/p>\n
Jonestown Transcription \u2013 Jane Schmucki<\/a><\/p>\n
Jonestown Transcription \u2013 Ella Stuccio<\/a><\/p>\n
Jonestown Transcription \u2013 Euale Tekley<\/a><\/p>\n