230582 American History II (S) (SoSe 2007)

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 profile course in American Culture.

This course will begin with the end of the Civil War and the Reconstruction period. How well did the United States succeed in forming "a more perfect Union (to) establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty ..?" Answering this question will involve us in political, economic and social developments with particular attention to the growth of capitalism, the Depression, two world wars, the civil rights struggle, the Cold War, the war in Vietnam and its aftermath, and Watergate. We will look for both contrasts and parallels with contemporary events. Whether our historical survey reaches Clinton and beyond will be determined by time available and class interest in the various topics.

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 final examination. We will continue using Hugh Brogan, The Penguin History of the U.S.A. as an accompanying textbook, with student groups preparing review summaries of the relevant chapters.

Students who require credits for a term paper will have an opportunity to write one for this course.