January 19, 2012 - 3:47am
Prof. Gregory Dowd: American Culture classes offer diverse study
BY ROBBIE AUSTIN
What is the value for students to learn about American culture?
It provides students with a sense of the variety of the cultural conflicts that have been present throughout American history. There is not a singular American culture, but a framework of government that helps to sustain a sense of unity in the face of diversity. Students read a variety of opinions and study important court cases that shine light on the culture of a particular period.
What classes are you teaching?
I am currently teaching American Culture 100. I am director of the Program in American Culture, and I was the director of the Native American Studies Program from 2002 to 2005. I have taught Native American history, U.S. History 260 and graduate courses about frontier history and historical research methods.
What advice do you have for students wishing to pursue a degree in American Culture?
It’s important to develop writing and critical thinking skills. The American Culture Program emphasizes ethnic and racial diversity, and it is one of the most diverse units at the University in terms of the faculty and students. This program is comprised of a traditional humanities mission, since the study of American culture evolved out of combined history and literature studies in the 1950s, but also has a strong popular culture dimension.
What is your favorite thing about the University?
(The University) does better interdisciplinary work than any place I’ve been. There are a lot of cross-listed courses that can reach a wide range of students. I like the bigness of the University. It’s a great research university, and the professors take teaching seriously.
