230582 American History II (S) (SoSe 2009)

This is the second part of a two-semester course sequence. Students should have already taken Part I . Part II is not obligatory for the North America profile module -- it may be replaced by another culture profile course with historical orientation.

We begin with the end of the Civil War and the Reconstruction period. We will be concerned with such questions as: How well did the United States succeed in forming "a more perfect Union" after the war? How did the nation grow in size, influence and power? How did Americans develop in their understanding of civil rights and social justice and come to terms with the demands of living together in a modern multiracial and multicultural society? How has the United States managed its capitalist free enterprise economy and its position as world superpower? What were the crises of the twentieth century and how have they shaped the subsequent evolution of twenty-first century America?

Since we will be viewing a number of full-length films, students should be prepared to spend as much as 135 minutes in class during some weeks (14.00-16.15) and/or do viewing homework in the Mediothek. There will be a midterm and final examination. We will continue using Irwin Unger These United States (concise combined edition) as an accompanying textbook. Multiple copies are available in the library.