The course in brief: “The Divided States of America?” An outlook on major sociopolitical changes in the USA since 9/11/2001. Immigration, Race, Gender, Family Life, Education, Employment, Media, and Culture.

This class explores unprecedented changes in American society over the last two decades, starting with the events of September 11, 2001 as a watershed. At the start of the course, a brief introduction will provide the historical context and references for the topics explored in the following weeks; this class aims at empowering students with updated knowledge about the major socioeconomic changes in the USA, and the debates surrounding them. With this course we will delve deep into contemporary American politics and society, addressing issues such as immigration, the rise of new social protests, political violence, the resurgence of race issues, gender roles and family relations, employment and education, the appearance of new cultural movements, the ever-widening gulf between between conservatives and progressives.