INTRODUCTION

1. INTRODUCTION

2. Important Information: Office: 4134 SSC Office Hours: Monday 11-1 Email: svanbee2@uwo.ca

3. Course Texts • The term two reader is available for purchase from InPrint. • Online readings can be accessed through JSTOR, Proquest, America, History and Life and LexisNexis Academic • Readings should be completed for Wednesday discussions!!!

4. Major Questions: What is national identity? What forces shape and sustain concepts of nationalism? What forces undermine or challenge the idea of nationhood as a source of identity? What is the nature and character of American identity? Has American identity changed over time? If so, why and how?

5. “America owes its pre-eminence to the staunch, rugged character and pioneer spirit of its founders and to the initiative and ambition of its cosmopolitan people…all nationalities, have played a part in the American drama and to all must be credited the development of the American civilization. The bringing together of these various peoples with varying customs and modes, and all animated with that dominating purpose to establish freedom and equality, has brought about and developed this great country of ours—America.”

7. Five features of national identity: Collective values and ideals A sense of historical continuity A sense of community Distinct geographic boundaries Mutual commitment to a common civic culture

8. The “American Creed” Individualism Democracy Liberty Egalitarianism Populism or voluntarism

9. Barack Obama “Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends—honesty and hard work, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism—these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility, a recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our Nation, and the world. Duties that we do not grudgingly accept but, rather, seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship. This is the source of our confidence—the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed; why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.”