Topics may include the Down East, Old Southwest, and Literary Comedian genres of the 19th century and the Purple Cow and Columnists humorists of the 20th century. Students may also analyze contemporary forms such as cartoons and stand-up comedy. Analyzes various forms of contemporary popular culture and its expression in mass media. Specific topics may include western and romance novels, consumerism, advertising, gender images, folklore, film, and music. American Heroes 5 CR Investigates the American hero as part of the American dream.
Students examine the different ideologies for men and women as well as ethnic minorities.
Students take an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing changing heroic values in literature, history, film, art, and music. CR Allows focused study of a topic supplementing the American Studies curriculum. Student interest and instructor expertise help determine the topic, which is announced in the class schedule. Examples of topics are American Women Artists, Stages of American Life, Modernity in America, and Immigrant Women. CR Covers directed reading, special projects, and independent study by an individual student.