American Dreamers: Protest and Consensus in U.S. History
Instructor : Dario Fazzi
Offered: Second semester
Course description:
Since the days of the early Republic, Radicalism has been a crucial element of American socio-political landscape and cultural milieu. On the one hand, such a radical tradition has represented a persistent challenge to American democracy: radical individuals and movements have deeply criticized its individualistic drive, regularly demanding the extension of the democratic welfare and calling for a more inclusive society. On the other hand, Radicalism has also contributed to the enrichment of the American democracy itself, by putting at the test many of its core values and assumptions.
Accordingly, as historical objects, American radical forces are particularly worthy of attention because, though often marginalized, they have being agents of social and political change and have contributed to the progressive emancipation of traditionally excluded groups like women, African-Americans, workers, or immigrants.
This course will explore U.S. Radicalism’s most important facets, touching on themes as anti-slavery and civil rights, old and new, leftist and rightist populisms, early and modern feminism, socialism, pacifism, and environmentalism. There will be a particular emphasis placed on radical movements’ socio-political quest for popular consensus, an analysis of institutional reactions, and continuing references to the fruitful interaction between American dominant culture and radical counterculture.
The course will be taught in form of weekly three-hour seminars. In the first half of each class, students will be asked to present and discuss the assigned readings with the instructor. In the second half, the instructor will further elaborate on the topic. Students are expected to pass a written mid-term exam and to write a short final essay (4.000 words) including references. The criteria followed to assess the final essay will be: originality of topic; connection to theme of course; quality of research question (domain, method, sources); validity of conclusion; structure; and narrative.
The grade for this assignment will be determined:
- 20% by the mid-term exam;
- 30% by the class presentations and participation in the class debates;
- 50% by the final paper.
The required readings for the course are the following:
- Timothy McCarthy and John McMillian, “The Radical Reader.”
- Paul Buhle and Harvey Kaye, ed., “The American Radical.”
- Eric Foner, “The Story of American Freedom.”
- Charles Postel, “The Populist Vision.”
- Michael Kazin, “American Dreamers.”
Teaching method: lectures and class discussions
Evaluation: written exam (20%), presentations and class discussion participation (30%), research paper (50%),
Course materials: For each class, the instructor will distribute further bibliographical references, including e-reserve articles and excerpts from books.
Offered: Second semester
Course description:
Since the days of the early Republic, Radicalism has been a crucial element of American socio-political landscape and cultural milieu. On the one hand, such a radical tradition has represented a persistent challenge to American democracy: radical individuals and movements have deeply criticized its individualistic drive, regularly demanding the extension of the democratic welfare and calling for a more inclusive society. On the other hand, Radicalism has also contributed to the enrichment of the American democracy itself, by putting at the test many of its core values and assumptions.
Accordingly, as historical objects, American radical forces are particularly worthy of attention because, though often marginalized, they have being agents of social and political change and have contributed to the progressive emancipation of traditionally excluded groups like women, African-Americans, workers, or immigrants.
This course will explore U.S. Radicalism’s most important facets, touching on themes as anti-slavery and civil rights, old and new, leftist and rightist populisms, early and modern feminism, socialism, pacifism, and environmentalism. There will be a particular emphasis placed on radical movements’ socio-political quest for popular consensus, an analysis of institutional reactions, and continuing references to the fruitful interaction between American dominant culture and radical counterculture.
The course will be taught in form of weekly three-hour seminars. In the first half of each class, students will be asked to present and discuss the assigned readings with the instructor. In the second half, the instructor will further elaborate on the topic. Students are expected to pass a written mid-term exam and to write a short final essay (4.000 words) including references. The criteria followed to assess the final essay will be: originality of topic; connection to theme of course; quality of research question (domain, method, sources); validity of conclusion; structure; and narrative.
The grade for this assignment will be determined:
- 20% by the mid-term exam;
- 30% by the class presentations and participation in the class debates;
- 50% by the final paper.
The required readings for the course are the following:
- Timothy McCarthy and John McMillian, “The Radical Reader.”
- Paul Buhle and Harvey Kaye, ed., “The American Radical.”
- Eric Foner, “The Story of American Freedom.”
- Charles Postel, “The Populist Vision.”
- Michael Kazin, “American Dreamers.”
Teaching method: lectures and class discussions
Evaluation: written exam (20%), presentations and class discussion participation (30%), research paper (50%),
Course materials: For each class, the instructor will distribute further bibliographical references, including e-reserve articles and excerpts from books.
