9:30A-10:45A  TR  (30) 3 cr
Topic: American Dreams and Schemes

This course will focus on how a wide array of individuals and groups have defined -- and
then in turn pursued -- their various versions of the "American dream."  Such examinations will
be engaged with the larger goal of enabling each of the class' participants to become more
analytical, informed and constructive critics of what we all-too-often thoughtlessly refer to as
"American culture."  To accomplish this larger goal, students will be required to examine a
diverse range of primary and secondary sources including: scholarship on cultural theory, works
of fiction, movies, television, material culture, and social history.  Along with a lot of reading
and an emphasis on participation in class discussions, course requirements will probably include:
three papers, pop quizzes, and a final examination.

Partial list of course texts:
Reading packet
RAGGED DICK by Horatio Alger
THE BEAUTY MYTH by Naomi Wolf
AMAZING GRACE by Jonathon Kozol
DEATH IN THE DINING ROOM by Kenneth Ames
UNEASY RIDER
INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS
LOST IN AMERICA