History 201 - Imperial America 1898-Present

This course examines the assertion of U.S. power from the conquest of the Philippines to the ?Global War on Terror.? Some of the key questions we consider are: How do we define U.S. imperialism? What are its institutions, resources, practices, goals, justifications, and consequences? Can imperialism and democracy co-exist? How does U.S. imperialism benefit or harm different groups at home and abroad? What ideas and forces have opposed U.S. imperialism? How have U.S. leaders described and justified their foreign policies? How do their official explanations compare to historical realities? What principles and interests have been most decisive in moving the U.S. toward military action? There are no prerequisites required to take this course. (Gen. Ed. HS)