The concept of “Manifest Destiny”, which first surfaced in the United States in the 19th century and maintained that American settlers were destined to spread westward over North America, will be the focus of this course. Before the American Civil War, territory conquests were justified by the idea of Manifest Destiny, which was seen as evident and certain and never disappeared. On many levels, Manifest Destiny continues to portray American power and expansion as a divine mission motivated by a sense of political and cultural destiny. Using transdisciplinary insights, this course will offer students a thorough examination and comprehension of the long-term implications of Manifest Destiny, on both a domestic and a worldwide scale.
By the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. understand the historical roots and foundations of Manifest Destiny; 2. explore how it has influenced American national politics; and 3. comprehend its broader ramifications with regard to U.S. power and foreign policy.
Myriam BENRAAD
Séminaire
English
Autumn 2024-2025
The course will consist of a series of formative tasks through weekly activities designed to prepare students for completing their summative assessments, namely two connecting elements: a PowerPoint Presentation (1,500-word equivalent) and a Reflection Report (800-word equivalent). While each element will be marked out of 20 points, these assessments will weigh 40% for the PowerPoint Presentation and 50% for the Reflection Report. Oral participation will count for 10% of the students' final grade.