Global U.S. History ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This course places the United States in the historic, political, cultural, and social currents of the world. It invites students to explore the historic processes that have shaped some key themes and dynamics of U.S. history from both internal and external points of view. We will view the United States less as an independent entity and more as a part of a world community. Such a perspective creates an opportunity to deepen the basic narrative of the American experience by internationalizing it, while also helping us understand how such aspects of U.S. society as churches, small businesses, neighborhoods, cultural communities, and mass media might be forces in shaping world politics. We will make the movements of people in and through the Americas, the stories of how the United States came to be 50 states (and some territories), and the precarious role of early 21st century world leadership the central themes of the study. Students are encouraged to bring to this course a curiosity about America's historic place in the world, a desire to strengthen Historical Studies research and writing skills, and a willingness to think outside the box. This course was previously HIS-243394 .