The course is practice oriented. Based on their previously acquired academic skills (BA level), the course intends to develop the students’ academic writing, their knowledge of conducting scholarly research, and communicating their findings and conclusions both in writing and speech. During the semester students will develop their knowledge related to the formal, stylistic, structural, and content requirements of academic writing. Part of the curriculum: the responsible use of AI, generative AI, research methodology, archival and database processing skills, academic writing, presentation skills, and the requirements of scholarly integrity. Students will complete a master’s paper and practice their academic presentation skills.

The aim of the course is to discuss the social history of the United States to better understand the impact of the social changes of the past centuries on the American people, their identity and character. The course focuses on the sociologists’ take on American history. We will also discuss various themes, within the context of social history, as we consider the development of American culture and society: including immigration, race and ancestry, religion, labor, education, family, wealth and living standards, and social geography, to mention a few. With regards to the themes listed previously, the course will place a special focus on the social changes of the past century.

We will take a closer look at the history of civil liberties in wartime, the suspension of liberties and freedoms in the United States in the name of national security.