History 201-206 seminars are open to history majors only during pre-registration. If the course does not reach its enrollment maximum, it will be open to all students beginning with drop/add on a first-come first-serve basis.
HIST 202 European Visions of America
Gassert
Taught as schedule allows (consult the Course Directory)
SEM
This seminar examines European visions of America. For more than two hundred years images of the United States helped Europeans to define their hopes and fears about their own societies. Starting with Tocqueville we will examine classic European treatises such as those written by Bryce, Weber, Sombart, Duhamel, Adorno, Bourdieu, and others. The seminar will also take an in-depth look at popular perceptions of the United States. It will examine European readings of American icons such as Jazz or Hollywood. In addition, special emphasis will be given to the century long debate about Americanism and Americanization, which first peaked during the 1920s and which has never stopped since. The seminar will end by looking at recent controversies about a resurgence of European anti-Americanism after 9/11.
Course Syllabus (PDF)
