The Homefront: America at Home During World War II

Catalog description

Students in this research seminar will design original research projects related to life in the United States during World War II. Perhaps the most consequential war in global history, World War II profoundly altered the trajectory of human history, reshaping global boundaries, introducing terrifying new killing technologies, and paving the way for a world shaped by democracy. In the United States, the domestic changes wrought by World War II were nearly as dramatic, highlighted by booming manufacturing, mass migrations, and major changes to the nature of race and gender. While World War II is often depicted as a unifying moment, American life at home was rife with controversy and conflict. Students in this class will learn more about the immense societal changes in America during World War II and work with the instructor to design research projects that meet their interests. Projects might focus on topics as diverse as Rosie the Riveter, weapons manufacturing, or one of several race riots covered in class.