The American Mind

This course will provide an introduction to the history of influential ideas in and of America, with particular regard to their changing cultural contexts, and their origin in writers' personal experiences. A continuing concern will be the extent and validity of American claims to be an exceptional nation, somehow exempt from world history. Writings will include Franklin, Jefferson, Tocqueville, William James, Henry Adams, Walter Lippmann, Reinhold Niebuhr, Betty Friedan, Frederic Jameson, and Neil Postman. 3 hrs. sem. Previously taught as HIST/AMST 0426