HIS-113 - American Pluralism: The CT River Valley As Classroom

3 credits

Through a comparative and multidisciplinary approach, this course will examine the idea of cultural diversity in the United States by focusing on immigration and ethnic groups in the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts. By studying the experiences of ethnic communities in the Valley – their arrivals, their interactions with other groups and their responses to social, economic and political changes in the U.S. – we will try to come to terms with the concepts of multiculturalism, diversity, tolerance and identity. We have all heard that the U.S. is “a nation of immigrants”, a “melting pot” or a “tossed salad,” but what do these terms tell us about the social economic and political characteristics of the United States? How do the history of immigration and relations between ethnic groups in the Connecticut River Valley illustrate cultural change and the evolution of “American” national identity?

Prerequisite(s): DRG 092 or DWT 099 (minimum grade of C-) or placement at higher level on the reading or writing placement tests.

Mass Transfer Block: Credits earned in this course are counted towards the MassTransfer Block Behavioral and Social Sciences requirements.

Course previously known as: HIST-160