The election of Donald Trump in 2016 was startling to say the least. We begin with the many efforts to explain the results of the 2016 election as well as the more fledgling efforts on the 2020 elections (outcome unknown as I write this), focusing on the role of race, class, place and political party. We then contextualize the results of these elections in four ways: (1) historically (how the American Right has developed over time), (2) socially (how political choices emerge from the complexities of everyday lives), (3) comparatively (how “right-wing populism” is similar or different in different societies), and (4) structurally (the role of large structures and big processes like globalization and neo-liberalism). Placing recent political events in broader social/historical contexts will be challenging and exciting.
Limited to 20 students. Spring semester. Professor Himmelstein.
How to handle overenrollment: preference for sociology and anthropology majors, after that for first and second years
Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: emphasis on written work and reading.