Discussion-oriented seminars designed to give students an intimate but rigorous introduction to a historical topic. Requirements vary, but generally prioritize critical reading, engaged participation, and focused writing assignments. For precise schedule of offerings, consult departmental website for topic information which is viewable at http://history.berkeley.edu/courses

It is almost impossible to scroll through Twitter, turn on the T.V., or walk down Bancroft Way without passing a discussion of what it means to be an “American.” Who is an American? What are the criteria and characteristics one must embody to be considered an American? Why are individuals prevented from becoming Americans? These questions constitute the most important political debate in the history of the United States of America – a debate which originated before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In this course, we will study the dynamic political, social, and cultural upheavals that occurred surrounding the concept of national identity in the United States from the mid-eighteenth century to the present. We will analyze not only how the definition of citizenship transformed throughout this two-hundred fifty-year period, but also how patriotism emerged as a primary characteristic to determine who deserved the rights and privileges of an American citizen. While citizenship is often framed as a simple legal question, we will explore how socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and popular culture informed and framed these national identity laws. This course will also examine how marginalized communities, such as Indigenous peoples, African American slaves and freedmen, immigrants and undocumented residents, women, individuals with disabilities, and those identifying as LGBTQIA+, both struggled and still struggle to receive equal recognition and protection as American citizens. Finally, and perhaps most poignant, we will examine how impassioned propaganda, disseminated through print, aural, and visual media, as well as physical violence, served as political tools to prevent citizens of the United States from both identifying and being treated as Americans. By drawing on an array of primary and secondary source literature, we will develop an understanding of not only the complex process of defining and creating a national identity, but also the inherent malleability of citizenship throughout the history of the United States. The objective of this course is for you to develop the skills necessary to approach, evaluate, and answer such analytical questions from a historical perspective. We will practice these skills both through robust class discussion and writing assignments, including a cumulative, final paper, which may be used to explore potential topics for a 101 thesis. Instructor Bio: Russell Weber is a Ph.D. candidate in the History Department, where he writes and teaches about British-American and early U.S. emotions, popular culture, and political identity, as well as the politics and culture of American comic books. Russell’s dissertation explores the relationship between emotions rhetoric, print media, and the formation of political identity in the early American republic. Russell holds both an MA and BA in History from San Francisco State University.

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Requirements class fulfills