UWS 8B — The American Dream

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This course introduces students to the power of writing as a means of communication and a process of thinking and understanding. As students complete a series of writing assignments, they will engage in a process of reading, drafting, reviewing and revising, working in peer groups and individually with their instructors.
The “American Dream” is a source of pride, controversy, and frustration. Many understand it as the pursuit of wealth, power, and social mobility. But when we apply this ideal to our contemporary society the American Dream becomes infinitely more complex. If the American Dream is about the “pursuit of happiness” and we live in time of so much abundance, then why is there a seemingly equal amount of sadness, discontent, and rage? In this class we will explore the American Dream within the social, economic, and cultural context of capitalism. We will examine how this idea unfolds in film, such as the 2018 hit Sorry to Bother You and graphic novels. At the end of the day, what, if anything, does the American Dream promise for contemporary society?
Jared Berkowitz

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