Spring 2009 American Studies Courses
at Lincoln Center
AMRU 2000: Major Developments in American Culture
Fisher MR 11:30-12:45
An introduction to American cultural studies and a narrative cultural history of the United States, designed for students with an interest in the American Studies major but relevant for majors in other fields such as History and English.
Spring 2009 Crosslisted Courses at Lincoln Center
Note: Not all these courses are yet officially crosslisted in the computer system. However, if they appear on this list, we are guaranteeing that we will count them toward the American Studies major or minor.
Also: The letters in bold following each course description indicate that the course fulfills one or more of the concentrations within the American Studies major. C=Cultural Products; D=Difference and Diversity; P=Politics and Power. See page one of this booklet for descriptions of the three concentrations. Because we have not yet seen syllabi for every course to be offered in Spring 2009, not all of them have been categorized by concentration.Always check the website and OASIS for the latest updates.
AALP 2100: African American History II
Watkins-Owens TF 10:00-11:15
A survey of African American history from the Reconstruction period to the present: the era of accommodation and the origins of 20th-century protest; Washington-Du Bois debate; migration and urbanization; the Harlem Renaissance; the civil rights movement; black power and contemporary issues. Fulfills urban studies requirement in history. D. P.
AALV 4650: Social Welfare and Society
Watkins-Owens T 2:30-5:00
An examination of American values and attitudes about poverty, entitlement and dependency and the role of the state, individuals and society in social welfare. Presents an exploration of how experiences such as homelessness, welfare and unemployment are conceptualized in American society and how this thinking affects our values over time. Fulfills senior values requirement. D, P.
AHEU 2550: 20th Century Art
Kalina W 6:00-8:45
A study of major trends in modern art from the late 19th century to the present day, with an emphasis upon developments before 1930. C.
AHLU 3100: Museums and Methods
Isaak F 11:30-2:15
Exploration of materials and techniques of the visual arts and a study of the different types of modern institutions for their exhibition. The course relies on field trips to museums, galleries and other institutions, mainly in New York City. Priority to SR, HA Majors, AH/VA Double Majors. C.
CMLG 3681: Media/National Identity
Gray TF 10:00-11:15
An examination of case studies showing how national identity is inferred and organized by mass media. Questions include: How is nationalism produced by media discourse? How are outsiders portrayed? Who draws the boundaries between inside and outside, and how? Texts will include television, radio, print journalism, music and films. C
CMLP 3601: Class, Taste & Mass Culture
Jackaway MW 1:00-2:15
An examination of cultural hierarchy and conflicting notions regarding the "ideal" form and content of the symbolic environment. Drawing from various critiques of the mass media, this course explores the ways in which debates about cultural and aesthetic standards reflect socio-economic and political concerns. C, P.
CMLU 3310: TV Comedy & American Values
Tueth MR 2:30-3:45
An examination of the major genres of American television comedy and their relationship to American culture. The influence of social, artistic and commercial factors on comic patterns and techniques are considered. C
CMLU 3571: Popular Music as Communication
McCourt W 8:30-11:15
Current issues in popular music studies-mediation, globalization, authenticity, identity, community, etc. - covering a wide range of popular musics in North America. Regular reading and listening assignments. C.
ENEP 3652: New Wave Immigration Fiction
Stone T 6:00-8:45
A course description will be added to the website when it becomes available. C, D.
ENLP 3629: 20th Century African-American Literature
Staff M 6:00-8:45
A study of central African American writers in their cultural and historical contexts. C. D.
ENLV 3843: Extraordinary Bodies
Cassuto T 2:30-5:15
From freak shows to the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with odd bodies have received special, and not always welcome, attention from their peers. This course will study the experience of people with anomalous bones from a variety of personal and social perspectives. C, D.
HSEU 3822: US Cultural History
Staff T 2:30-5:15
The focus of this course is on ideas, assumptions, and values in American life from colonial times to the present, from ministers' sermons to blues performances, from philosophical essays to Hollywood films. It examines the symbolic forms and social context of conflicting as well as shared beliefs and considers the character of American cultural expression on various levels, in ways in which different groups have influenced American cultural life, and the meaning of recent mass culture. C, P.
HSLG 4520: Seminar: The Pacific War
Wakeman MR 10:00-11:15
This course is a senior research seminar exploring the Pacific War, its origins, course, and consequences from Japanese expansionism in the 30s through the immediate post-war years from a multinational and multicultural perspective. D.
LLEU 3343: Crime and Minority Rights
Estela R 6:00-8:45
This course is designed to present an overview of the problems for decision in the promulgation, invocation, and administration of a law of crimes. Topics include theories of crime, the purpose of punishment, and specific types of crimes. The rights of minorities will be discussed within the context of a viable criminal law. D, P.
LLGA 5006: Latino New York
Cruz-Malavé T 6:00-8:00
New York as represented, imagined, and constructed by Spanish and Latin American immigrant and exile writers and by native Latino New Yorkers through culture (literature, film, music, performance art, visual arts, and daily life). A review of research on Latino New York cultures and a cultural history of Latino New York, this course will also be conducted as an interdisciplinary seminar where students will be able to engage in and share their research on some aspect of the cultures of Latino New York. Open to advanced undergraduates. C, D.
POEU 3402: Constitutional Law: Criminal Justice
Dougherty R 6:00-8:45
Case method analysis of Supreme Court decisions in the area of Criminal Justice. P.
POLU 2320: Politics of Immigration
Berger TF 10:00-11:15
A course description will be added to the website when it becomes available. P.
POLU 2505: US Foreign Policy
Thurman MR 2:30-3:45
A course description will be added to the website when it becomes available. P.
POLU 3204: Constitutional Law and Democracy
DeLuca MW 1:00-2:15
A course description will be added to the website when it becomes available. P.
POLU 3315: Political Participation
DeLuca T 2:30-5:15
Studies the relation between participation, political effectiveness and American democracy. Analyzes who participates and how; who doesn't, and why. Examines political participation and questions of gender, race, education, class and ideology. P
POLU 3320: Internet and Democracy
Tiykiyse MW 1:00-2:15
This course examines the impact of the Internet on the political system. Topics include the potential of the internet to deepen public debate, the use of the Internet by political parties and social movements, and the challenge of the Internet to prevailing conceptions of privacy and property. Extensive use of web sites. C, P.
POLU 3503: Caribbean Politics
Berger TF 1:00-2:15
The course is designed to introduce students to the politics of the Caribbean. Students will thus examine the politics of ethnicity, class, economic development, revolution and reform, women and foreign intervention. D, P.
PSLP 3600: Multicultural Issues
Rivera-Mindt MR 10:00-11:15
A course description will be added to the website when it becomes available. D.
RSEP 3995: Religion and the American Self
Fisher R 6:00-8:45
A course description will be added to the website when it becomes available.
SOEP 2420: Social Problems of Race and Ethnicity
Staff R 6:00-8:45
This course explores the historical and contemporary issues surrounding the impact that race and ethnicity have in society. Students will examine how racial and ethnic criteria often guide important economic, political and social decisions that affect access to resources by various groups and which usually have major consequences for the individual. D, P.
SOEU 3017: Inequality in America
Gautney TF 1:00-2:15
A study of the ways in which inequalities of wealth, power, and prestige are institutionalized in complex societies. Social class and social status as they relate to other aspects of social organization and affect the life chances of individuals. P.
SOEU 4930: Seminar: Latino Issues
Rodriguez W 6:00-8:45
A course description will be added to the website when it becomes available.
SOLP 3140: Old/New Minorities in the U.S.
Rodriguez MW 11:30-12:45
The situations of old minority groups, such as African Americans, Japanese and earlier European immigrants, as compared to those of more recent groups such as Puerto Ricans, Cubans, other Hispanics and recent Asian immigrants, including refugees. D.
SPLG 3002: Topics in Spanish-American Culture
Cruz-Malavé MW 11:30-12:45
Some of the major topics of Latin American culture from the nineteenth century to the present as represented in literature and film: the indigenous legacy, the colonial inheritance, slavery and the legacy of racism, civilization and barbarism, modernization, revolution and the search for utopia, dictatorship and migration. To include authors such as: Sor Juana, El Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Hernández, Quiroga, Neruda, Paz, García Márquez, Allende, Arenas, Menchú. Prerequisites: SP 2001 or 2301. C, D.
WSLP 1020: Feminist Theories in Intercultural Perspective
Hoffman T 2:30-5:15
A course description will be added to the website when it becomes available. Community Service Required. D.
