One of the better ways to understand American culture is to study American individualism and the dream of success. We will use film, essays, short stories, poetry, music, and a classic children's book to explore the ways in which Americans conceive of the individual and the routes to individual fulfillment. By starting our study in the 18th century and progressing through to the late 20th century, we hope to be able to identify constants as well as changes in the American story. The class looks at the archetypical American figures like the cowboy, the self-made man, the bluesman, the gangster that have all been part of the stories Americans tell themselves and have told the world. By the end of the class students should be able to recognize that there have always been many American dreams as well countless American nightmares.

PART ONE-Protestantism and the spirit of America
PART TWO-Self-Reliance
PART THREE-Money(That ís what I Want)
PART FOUR-Song of Myself
PART FIVE-Winning Friends and the Death of a Salesmen
PART SIX-But Tuesday ís Just as Bad
PART SEVEN-In A Different Voice

Bibliography : Alger : Ragged Dick, Carnegie : How to Win Friends and Influence People Carver : Where I'm Calling from, Edwards : Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Ellison : The Blues, Franklin : Poor Richard ís Almanack , Gilligan : In a Different Voice, Segal : Collision with the Infinite, Swarzenegger : Arnold, the Education of a Bodybuilder, Weber : The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of America, Whitman : Song of Myself

Filmography : Hawks : Scarface, Segal : Death of a Salesman, Welles : Citizen Kane, Zinneman : High Noon, Discography : Full Spectrum Blues Hooker, The Blues Collection.

Students will be expected to prepare a brief written presentation to help lead one class discussion. Instead of taking an exam, students will be asked to write a paper.

Dernière mise à jour : jeudi 9 avril 2009