HIST-4366 (3) Culture Wars: Modernism, Mass Culture, and the Modern U.S.

Examines how U.S. public moralists, intellectuals, and artists from the end of the nineteenth century to World War II both celebrated and attacked the rise of two characteristic features of modernity: mass culture (amusement parks, popular music, radio, movies), and modernist literary and artistic expression. Addresses how Americans both constructed and violated the line between "popular" and "high" culture. Recommended prereq., HIST 1025. Requisites: Restricted to students with 27-180 credits (Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors) only.