Talking Social Reform: From Populism and Progressivism to Obama and McCain

This course argues that two broad "languages" of social reform, coming out of the Populist and Progressive Movements of the late nineteenth century, have shaped the ways in which Americans understand politics. Students consider how the possibilities for contemporary reform and change have been informed by these languages. We will examine political texts discussing the New Deal, the eugenics movement, the Cold War, liberalism, and the New Left, among others. Enrollment limited to 17 first year students and sophomores.