GOVT110 CM - American Culture Wars

In recent decades Americans have been increasingly divided over such issues as abortion, gay marriage, and the appropriateness of religion in the public square. This course will explore the sources and origins of such divisions. For instance, do activists on the left and right really exist in two distinct cultures? What are the philosophical assumptions and beliefs that hold their various political opinions together? What is their view of the human person and how does it shape the way they see the world? Do they each offer equally rational ways of comprehending the world? We will also investigate how deeply our nation is divided. Is it the case, for instance, that only a handful of radicals wage these wars while most Americans are actually quite moderate? Are our political divisions really rooted in separate cultures? In addition, we will ask whether the culture wars have been good or bad for American democracy. For example, have the culture wars prevented a descent into mass apathy or coarsened public life?

Prerequisite: GOVT 020 CM

Offered: Occasionally

Credit: 1

Course Number: GOVT110 CM