Violence and American Identity
CHUM 334
Spring 2010
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
HIST 368, AMST 337 |
This is an interdisciplinary seminar that examines a foundational theme in modern American studies: a national culture shaped by violent encounters on the frontier. Over the course of the semester, students are asked to re-imagine this idea (and the field of American studies itself) as situated in transnational, colonial, and postcolonial cultural contexts. Beginning with selections from a classic American studies text, Richard Slotkin's Regeneration Through Violence, and ending with a reflection on post-colonial violence and the nature of global citizenship, the course centers three historical moments that are critical to the American studies as a hemispheric, and a transnational, field of study: pre-19th-century imperial encounters on the Anglo-French-Hispano-American frontier; the reconfiguration of American national responsibilities in a decolonizing world after World War II; and the effects of the Vietnam War on American identity after 1968. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS CHUM |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Richard Slotkin, REGENERATION THROUGH VIOLENCE
Linda Colley, CAPTIVES: BRITAIN EMPIRE AND THE WORLD
Ned Blackhawk, VIOLENCE OVER THE LAND
Christina Klein, COLD WAR ORIENTALISM
Hannah Arendt, EICHMANN IN JERUSALEM
Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., THE BITTER HERITAGE
Natasha Zeretsky's, NO DIRECTION HOME
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Examinations and Assignments:
Weekly response papers to CHUM lectures
2 oral presentations in class
1 5-7 pp. research proposal due (midterm)
1 10-15 pp. bibliographical essay (final) |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course is especially recommended for students who believe they are interested in graduate study in history, American Studies or a related field, and a potential career as a scholar. Although we will take two weeks to bring ourselves up to speed, it will be taught at the graduate level. It emphasizes reading long, sometimes difficult, books; active participation in class; and regular attendance at Monday night lectures at the Center for the Humanities. Students may wish to leave their Tuesday mornings free from other commitments to attend the post-lecture seminar held at the Center. Because of the intensity of the course, and a design that prepares students to write an honors thesis, I have given preference to juniors and will not admit seniors. |
| Instructor(s): Potter,Claire B. Times: ....R.. 01:10PM-04:00PM; .M..... 08:00PM-10:00PM; Location: CFH106; CFH106; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: X | JR major: 8 | | |
| Seats Available: 9 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: X | JR non-major: 7 | SO: X | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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