Description

Overview:

This class examines how and why twentieth-century Americans came to define the ‰ŰĎgood life‰Ű through consumption, leisure, and material abundance. We will explore how such things as department stores, nationally advertised brand-name goods, mass-produced cars, and suburbs transformed the American economy, society, and politics. The course is organized both thematically and chronologically. Each period deals with a new development in the history of consumer culture. Throughout we explore both celebrations and critiques of mass consumption and abundance.

Subject:

World Cultures, U.S. History

Level:

Community College / Lower Division, College / Upper Division

Material Type:

Full Course

Author:

Meg Jacobs

Provider:

MIT

Provider Set:

MIT OpenCourseWare

Date Added:

02/16/2011