AMER250

The American Dream has long been a central feature of America's cultural understanding. For generations, Americans old and new have held fast to the belief that this is the land of opportunity, that upward mobility is available to everyone, and that hard work, ability, and maybe a little luck are all that are needed to achieve material success. This course focuses on the American Dream as expressed in literature, but it seeks to combine a literary approach with historical, art historical, and other approaches to the subject. Along the way we will gain insight into crucial questions for today: What are some of the constraints faced by people seeking to make better lives for themselves? Can we envision a society in which success and personal fulfillment are available to all?