Along the way, we will consider questions about the changing meaning of democracy, about the search for an American cultural and intellectual identity, and about how ideas are given cultural form. This course will assume a basic familiarity with American history. Students are strongly encouraged to have taken History 151 and 152, or to have a solid understanding of American history, before enrolling in this course. Class attendance is mandatory and expected.
Class meets twice per week.
One class each week will be reserved for a lecture and the other class will be run as a discussion seminar. Beyond simple attendance, participation in discussion is expected. Students who do not intend to engage in class discussion should not enroll in this course. Students who miss more than four classes without a legitimate and verified excuse will not pass the course. Students are also required to do all the assigned readings.