AMST 372 - Mobs,Masses,and Democracy in America

Institution:

Trinity College

Subject:

Description:

"There are in fact no masses," writes the cultural critic Raymond Williams. "There are only ways of seeing people as masses." This intellectual and social history course will examine ways of "seeing people as masses" in the United States since the American Revolution. By studying changing interpretations of mobs, masses, and social movements, we will inquire into changing ideas about American democracy, the character of "the people," and ways of communicating with them. Particular topics will include the role of "the crowd" in the era of the Revolution; images of riots, strikes, lynch mobs, theater audiences, and other kinds of collective behavior in the 19th century; criticism of the mass society, mass culture, and the mass media (movies, radio, TV, advertising) in the 20 century; and ideas about the causes and effects of social movements. Course materials will include novels and films in addition to more traditional types of primary documents. This is a core course for the Studies in Progressive American Social Movement 1.00 units, Lecture

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.Trincoll.edu

Phone Number:

(860) 297-2000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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