H i s t o r y 1 0 1
Professor Jennifer Burns
Spring 2007
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Much more than elections and statistics, politics unfolds within a layered social context and thereby offers rich opportunity for the historical analysis of culture. Political culture includes the ideals, beliefs, values, symbols, stories, and public rituals that bind people together and direct them in common action. Political action emanates from political culture, and can reflect, challenge, reinforce, or undermine that culture’s ideals.
Students in this seminar are invited to write a paper on American political culture, broadly defined. Possible topics include: the intersection of religion and politics; media representations of political candidates; scandals, controversies, and resignations; party loyalty and identity; “playing the race card”; gender and politics. Students are encouraged to begin thinking about their paper during the current (Fall) semester, and will be expected to bring two possible topics to the first class meeting.
