The century following the American Civil War was one of profound social and political change. This module explores the period from post-Civil War reconstruction to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, following the history of the United States from a divided nation to one considered a ‘World Power’. In this period, industrialisation, consumerism, and war changed the face of American society and culture. This module will focus in particular on the construction of race, class and gender in the United States, and the intersections between society, politics, and culture. Using a range of primary sources – including great works of American literature – we will consider contrasting perceptions of ‘modernity’ in this period, and the impact this had upon the United States and its people.
This module combines a lecture series that offers an overview of the history of the United States in the 20th century with a closely linked set of seminars that focus on the construction of race, class and gender difference in over the same period. This combination allows students to explore an important thematic aspect of world history (the construction of race, class and gender difference) while simultaneously providing grounding for further study and research into the history of the United States. Seminars are structured around primary readings and recommended secondary texts that offer critical and historical insight into the topics under consideration.