Last update: Assistant Professor Gyorgy Toth, PhD. (30.07.2014)
What are the nature and forms of globalization and what are its implications for the circulation of U.S. culture? This course will survey the motivations, actors, structures, processes, events, and carriers leading to the global spread of what we regard as American culture. (Indeed, we will interrogate all three of these terms - "globalization," "American," and "culture" - in our course). Among them we will find migrant workers, U.S. artists, corporations, national governments, consumers and critics in many parts of the world, and at the center of it all, a variety of U.S. cultural forms, products and services. Our chronological focus will be the period beginning in the middle of the 19th century and lasting through the present day. While the bulk of our readings will focus on U.S. culture in Europe, we will also take up case studies about East Asia, Africa and Latin America.
In addition to those studying (U.S. or European) History, American Studies or English Language and Literature, this class will benefit any students of Business, International Studies, International Relations, and Communication who desire to better understand the history of our current global social and cultural forms that range from fast food and brand clothing consumerism, the nexus between fairs, theme parks and television, through cartoons and comic books to jazz, rock and roll and hiphop.
