Abstract
Various definitions of the concept of the American Dream and its several socio-cultural and political-economic drivers will be studied in this course. We will explore what the Dream has meant to Americans from the early days of the Republic through our own times and what effects attempting to fulfill the Dream has had on America’s make-up and worldview. The class will discuss the material as well as the non-material (“spiritual”) aspect of the American Dream and the desirability of modifying it. We will also address a possible (consequent) reshaping of America into a more ecologically sustainable and more ethically sound nation.
Some of our readings and student assignments may appear (on the surface) not closely connected with the theme of our course, “The American Dream.” But I’m going to leave it to the student to realize the connections/relationships, discover differences or thematic similarities among the books recommended for the Book Report, and build his or her own understanding of the American Dream through the readings and the assignments. The atmosphere and the structure of the class/course will be relaxed and flexible; and hence, hopefully, conducive to and inviting for student participation.
Original language | American English |
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State | Published - 2012 |
EGS Disciplines
- Finance and Financial Management