War, Peace, and Memory in America

This course offers a study of how the experience of war has shaped Americans' identities and definitions of citizenship. Themes include the incorporation of women into the military, gender roles, propaganda, PTS(D) and its precursors, veteran studies, and social movements for peace. Readings provide an investigation into how wars that Americans have fought are remembered in the collective memory, whether through national narratives, in the media, or in popular culture. The chronological focus is on the American Revolution, Civil War, the world wars, Cold War era, the all-volunteer military, and current issues. Class discussions will be based on assigned books, articles, primary sources, and films. During the semester, you will engage with the collective memory of war and peace as you examine questions of whose histories are remembered and forgotten, the ways myths of war are created for political purpose, definitions of heroism, and how memories of war shift over time.

Museums, Monuments, and Memorials

This course offers a study of how American experiences have been remembered and memorialized through museum exhibits, monuments, and memorials. Themes include the ways organizations influence the construction of memorials and monuments, federal government funding for national monuments, whose histories are prioritized, histories that are forgotten, the historical context of monument erections and the establishment of memorial sites, and national debates over the construction of historical narrative. Class discussions will be based on assigned books, articles, primary sources, and films. You will get hands-on experience in public history as you conduct research in an archive’s digital collection and curate an online museum exhibit.