SOC 244
What They Saw in America Fall 2024
Division II
Cross-listed HIST 366 / AMST 244

This course traces the travels and writings of important observers of the United States, including Alexis de Tocqueville, Max Weber, G.K. Chesterton, Sayyid Qutb, and Wang Huning. The course will consider their respective journeys: Where did they go? With whom did they talk? What did they see? The historical scope and varying national origins of the observers provide a unique and useful outsider’s view of America–one that sheds light on persisting qualities of American national character and gives insight into the nature and substance of international attitudes toward the United States over time. The course will analyze the common themes found in the visitors’ respective writings about America and will pay particular attention to their insights on religion, democracy, agrarianism, capitalism, and race.