Honors College 499CE - HonThs-Evol&Meaning 1

Students will learn about the psychological and historical forces that have shaped house and home in the United States. Dominant norms evolved that other nations and cultures must variously mimic, alter or resist. We will examine issues such as the meaning of "home" individually and collectively; ideas about land and home ownership that emerged during colonization and solidified through westward expansion; the vast landscape of 19th century "traditional" houses that were actually industrially manufactured; the invention of the mortgage and the middle class; the role of gender and the women's movement; the overwhelming impact of racism; emergent technologies, and efforts to "reinvent the wheel" in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. (499-Seminar)

This course is open to Senior Commonwealth College students only. Instructor consent required; email Professor Mann (rkmann@umass.edu) stating reason for interest in course and provide one-page writing sample.