070438 VO Twentieth Century America (2006S)

This lecture course offers a comprehensive examination of 20th century American history, from the Progressive Age to the New Deal, from the two World Wars to the end of the Cold War. The course presents a chronological narrative of the political and legal changes from the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt to the transfer of power in 2000 to George W. Bush. We will discuss the meaning of American Democracy, the Rule of Law, and the importance of the Constitution of 1787. We will examine the political system of checks and balances in the United States, the changing role of the Congress, the emergence of the modern presidency, and in particular the significance and impact of the Supreme Court as arbiter and umpire to shape and define American legal culture, individual rights, and domestic and foreign politics.
This class will be taught in a series of lectures, combined with a discussion of basic documents to illustrate the development of the American democratic experiment. Students are asked to prepare and discuss primary sources every second class; the documents are available online at IGL; students are required to pass a written examination at the end of the semester.
Attending this class, Students will get an overview of American history of the past century which will enable them to better understand contemporary American politics and culture as presented in the media.
Written Examination: 17.05.2006, 17:00-19:00 (=1st appointment), HS 41
Written Examination: 28.06.2006, 17:00-19:00 Uhr (= 2nd appointment), HS 41