Topics in Twentieth Century American History

Catalog description

Often described as “the American Century,” the phrase itself reflects America’s growth as a world power and the exceptionalism that accompanied that growth. Begun with an imperialistic war and presidential assassination, the century ends with international attacks upon the US, connected to the actions and imperialism that occurred during the twentieth century itself. Along the way there were two world wars, a global financial depression, a Cold War that included a domestic political witch hunt, a counterculture movement that helped end a war, a civil rights movement that aimed to re-set the country’s racial as well as sexual identity, and the impact of technology that changed communication, medicine, and commerce during the century’s final decade. The focus on different course topics may change with different instructors.