This interdisciplinary course utilizes both the social sciences and the humanities to examine the making of American Culture. The central driving force is Twentieth Century American Popular Culture. Students will study a variety of sources (fiction, speeches, movies, television, and advertisements) to uncover the numerous myths transmitted by these sources and to verify the validity of those myths that forge America's national identity. Several questions guide the students' investigation: What is the relationship between myths, culture, and society? Why do we behave the way we do? How do myths shape our attitudes? Our norms? Our mores? What makes us Americans?
