PART I: FROM MYTHS & SYMBOLS TO CRITICAL APPROACHES [Keywords: myth, ideology, culture, nation, citizen, mobility, colonialism, empire, inequality]The Melting Pot*Should have read “Black Transnationalism and the Politics of National Identity” by Michelle Stephens before this classMyth and symbols approach came under fire in the 1960s because it made the assumption that America is homogenous and bounded. This is a myth.The critical approach:They look at the US like we would any other nation.Racial, class, social identities structure American society.America is not homogenous and bounded rather it is divided.Don’t buy into American Exceptionalism.Although there are borders and boundaries, they are constantly being crossed.There is not one unitary American experience.Ideology: They are ideas about the way that society should be. They have some sort of power behind them.The idea that America is a melting pot is a mythSlavery, African Americans and Native Americans have been excluded from the melting pot. At one point in time they were not able to own land. Segregation kept a clear dividing line between people of African descent and Caucasians.Asians were not permitted to be citizens of the U.S. (Chinese and Japanese)The melting pot mainly contains Europeans. European descent=WhiteImmigration policies restricted immigration from southern Europe (they were not considered fully white)What Americans have considered as “white” has shifted around throughout the yearsImmigrants to the US in the late 19th and early 20th century constructed the boundaries of political discussionMany cities today are still segregated by race, ethnicity, and classThe melting pot functions as an ideology. People who are excluded from the melting pot use this ideology to call American’s to assimilate and call them account to their promises. The melting pot is an ambiguous symbol.Critical Analysis PaperFocus: Mobility/movement (examples include: --Immigration, class mobility, religion)Format (1250 words):Introduction (topic, question, argument)Body (analysis of evidence)Conclusion (should not just restate argument)The proposal (due February 11) must contain:Brief description of topicQuestion ex) what do interrelationships tell us about race in America?ArgumentPlan for analysis*For next time read: Excerpts from Ragged Dick by Horatio AlgerAMST-A100 1st Edition Lecture 2 Outline of Last Lecture I. What is America?A. Definition of cultureB. Definition of popular cultureII. Is America a Nation State?III. Ernest Gellner & Benedict AndersonIV. Jose Marti’s “Our America”Outline of Current Lecture V. Myth and Symbols ApproachVI. The Critical Approacha. Ideology VII. The Melting Pota. The mythVIII. Critical Analysis PaperCurrent LectureTuesday, January 21  PART I: FROM MYTHS & SYMBOLS TO CRITICAL APPROACHES [Keywords: myth, ideology, culture, nation, citizen, mobility, colonialism, empire, inequality] The Melting Pot *Should have read “Black Transnationalism and the Politics of National Identity” by Michelle Stephens before this class Myth and symbols approach came under fire in the 1960s because it made the assumption that America is homogenous and bounded. This is a myth.The critical approach: - They look at the US like we would any other nation. These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Racial, class, social identities structure American society. - America is not homogenous and bounded rather it is divided. - Don’t buy into American Exceptionalism. - Although there are borders and boundaries, they are constantly being crossed.- There is not one unitary American experience. Ideology: They are ideas about the way that society should be. They have some sort of power behind them. The idea that America is a melting pot is a myth- Slavery, African Americans and Native Americans have been excluded from the melting pot. At one point in time they were not able to own land. Segregation kept a clear dividing line between people of African descent and Caucasians.- Asians were not permitted to be citizens of the U.S. (Chinese and Japanese) - The melting pot mainly contains Europeans. European descent=White - Immigration policies restricted immigration from southern Europe (they were not considered fully white)- What Americans have considered as “white” has shifted around throughout the years- Immigrants to the US in the late 19th and early 20th century constructed the boundaries of political discussion- Many cities today are still segregated by race, ethnicity, and class The melting pot functions as an ideology. People who are excluded from the melting pot use this ideology to call American’s to assimilate and call them account to their promises. The melting pot is an ambiguous symbol. Critical Analysis Paper Focus: Mobility/movement (examples include: --Immigration, class mobility, religion) Format (1250 words):- Introduction (topic, question, argument)- Body (analysis of evidence)- Conclusion (should not just restate argument) The proposal (due February 11) must contain:- Brief description of topic- Question ex) what do interrelationships tell us about race in America?- Argument- Plan for analysis *For next time read: Excerpts from Ragged Dick by Horatio