Seeking the American Dream: A Sociological Inquiry

ISBN-13: 9781137540249 / Angielski / Twarda / 2016 / 283 str.

Robert C. Hauhart

Opis

Historically, the United States has been viewed by generations of immigrants as the land of opportunity, where through hard work one can prosper and make a better life. The American Dream is perhaps the United States most common export. For many Americans, though, questions remain about whether the American Dream can be achieved in the twenty-first century. Americans, faced with global competition and increased social complexity, wonder whether their dwindling natural resources, polarized national and local politics, and often unregulated capitalism can support the American Dream today. This book examines the ideas and experiences that have formed the American Dream, assesses its meaning for Americans, and evaluates its prospects for the future."

Recenzje

"In terms of subject matter, Seeking the American Dream: A Sociological Inquiry could not be more timely. ... As such, the book is, above all, a comprehensive literature review of sociological analyses of the American Dream. ... Hauhart has written a valuable book. It should serve as an important reference guide for those eager to conduct research on the American Dream as well as those interested in teaching courses on it." (Francesco Duina, Contemporary Sociology, Vol. 47 (5), 2018)

Spis treści

Chapter 1: Antecedents

Chapter 2: Early Sociological Investigations of the American Dream

Chapter 3: Sociological Studies of American Life in the 1920’s

Chapter 4: The American Dream in the Great Depression

Chapter 5: The American Way of Life in the Post-World War II Era

Chapter 6: Post-war Affluence Meets the Great Society

Chapter 7: The American Dream Critically Examined

Chapter 8: The American Dream in a Diminished Economy

Chapter 9: Dreams, Class and Opportunity at the Fin de Siecle and Beyond

Chapter 10: Contemporary 21st Century Assessments of the American Dream

Chapter 11: Down and Out or On Their Way: Street People, the Homeless, and College Students Envision the American Dream

Conclusion

O autorze

Robert C. Hauhart is Professor of Society and Social Justice at Saint Martin’s University, Washington, USA. He is the co-author (with Jon E. Grahe) of Designing and Teaching Undergraduate Capstone Courses (2014) and co-editor (with Jeff Birkenstein) of American Writers in Exile (2015). He has taught previously at Pacific Lutheran University, USA, the University of New Mexico, USA, and the University of Maine at Machias, USA.