HIST 102 United States Culture and Society II

This course provides an introduction to United States history from the Civil War to the early 21st century. Readings and lectures are structured around the core theme of American pluralism. They emphasize the changing demographics of the American population and consider the different strategies that Americans have used to negotiate this growing diversity over time. Topics covered include Reconstruction Westward Expansion and Overseas Imperialism Industrialization and the Gilded Age the Progressive Era World War I the Great Depression and New Deal World War II and the Rise of Internationalism the Cold War & Third World Decolonization Immigration Reform & Comparative Civil Rights Movements the Vietnam War and the Rise of Global Dissent Conservatism and the "Reagan Revolution" America's Border Wars and the Post-9/11 War on Terror. We will give particular attention to issues of race ethnicity gender religion sexuality region and class in the shaping of modern America. Other important themes include the expansion of federal power and government's role in people's lives contests over national citizenship and identity America's changing role in the world and engagement with foreign peoples and the demographic transformations wrought by international migration and conflicts.