American Studies 340cc - Seminar: Topics-Capstone in American Studies-Culture and Crisis

Sem: Capstone-Culture&Crisis

Spring
2026
01
4.00
Evangeline Heiliger

M 1:40 PM - 4:20 PM

Smith College
AMS-340cc-01-202603
Sabin-Reed 224
vheiliger@smith.edu
According to a growing number of social theorists, and pretty much everybody else, this is an age of crisis. One of the critical tasks is to develop interdisciplinary tools to analyze how environmental conditions, economic systems, technological developments and political ideologies have sent humans on a path of catastrophes: climate change, resource exhaustion, inequality, social fragmentation and political repression. This course examines how these conditions have shaped American culture (asking why news broadcasts, the entertainment industry and social media respond to crises with distraction, disinformation, fear-mongering and scapegoating), and explore efforts of artists and activists to theorize and devise creative and just alternatives in visual arts, fiction, essays, comedy, movies and music. American Studies Majors only. Restrictions: Juniors and seniors only; Students are limited to one topic of AMS 340. Enrollment limited to 12. Instructor permission required.

[CE] AMS 340 Limit; AMS majors only; JR/SR only

Permission is required for interchange registration during the add/drop period only.
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