Assignment:
Discussion
What are the attributes, values, and norms commonly shared in America? How might an individual or members of a particular demographic or social group disagree with you? Does this disagreement matter for American government, civil society, and/or politics? Why or why not? Is a shared political culture necessary for the polity to function effectively?
Required Reading
- Hochschild, Jennifer. "What is the American Dream?" Facing Up to the American Dream: Race, Class and the Soul of the Nation, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1997,
- Hopfensperger, Jean. "Poverty Weaves Through the Lives of Many Americans." The Star Tribune, October 18. 2003,
- Wessel, David. "Racial Discrimination is Still at Work." The Wall Street Journal, September 4, 2003,
- Harrison, Lawrence H. "The End of Multiculturalism." Christian Science Monitor, February 26, 2008,