American Identity and Modern Popular Culture
A Description of Our Topic
It would be difficult to explore twentieth-century American history without considering the role that this nation's unique popular culture has played in defining its people. Various forms of entertainment and expression––for example, minstrelsy, science fiction, rock-n-roll, prizefighting, horror film––and popularly accepted symbols and trends––the superhero, the "zoot suit," the black "brute," the "happy housewife"––have helped determine how Americans identify themselves and how they perceive, stereotype, and judge others. The varied characterizations of class, race, ethnicity, and gender in mass culture have influenced everything from school curriculum to federal legislation, and, particularly in the past century, America's national identity has become increasingly tied its unique, home-grown cultural forms––for better or for worse.
In this course, you will explore popular trends, study cultural artifacts, and, through primary and secondary research, evaluate the forces that have transmitted, perpetuated, and embraced these cultural elements. Through careful analysis, you'll begin to answer meaningful questions about the development of the "American" identity.
Together we will spend the first few weeks sifting through selected readings and discussing the various ways historians have grappled with the social, political, and economic significance of American popular culture. During this time, you will define your paper topic and begin to gather research materials. Several weeks of the semester will be dedicated to independent work and individual consultations with me rather than regular class sessions, but class meetings will be held periodically so that you can present your work, discuss your progress, and provide constructive feedback to your classmates. Over the course of the semester, you will submit a project prospectus (2-3 pages), an annotated bibliography, a substantial rough draft (15-20 pages), and a well-crafted final paper (30-40 pages). In addition, you will be required to attend all scheduled class sessions and regular one-on-one meetings with me.
If you are uncertain whether your planned topic will fit within the framework of this course, you're encouraged to contact me prior to the beginning of the semester
Class time: Monday and Wednesday, 4 - 5:30 pm
Class location: 104 Dwinelle
Required texts:
• Course Reader available for purchase at Copy Central, 2560 Bancroft Way
• 101 Student Manual also available for purchase at Copy Central, or can be downloaded as a PDF here
