The Immigrant Journey: Shaping America, 1776 to Today (Honors)

Interdisciplinary: This course is offered either for English or History credit

Many Americans have a romanticized idea of America’s immigrant past. They point to idealized visions of Ellis Island, or the famous words of Emma Lazarus etched into the base of the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” In fact, America’s immigration history is more contested, more nuanced, and more complicated than many assume. This course seeks to provide historical context to current debates over immigration reform, integration, and citizenship. It will also explore the basic question: How has America historically treated its immigrants? The course follows a chronological overview of U.S. immigration history, but it also includes mini-units that cover salient issues in political discourse today, such as xenophobia, deportation policy, border policing, and sanctuary cities. Through art, music, and literature, we will examine America’s complex ties to immigration. Students will travel to New York City to experience Ellis Island and explore historic immigrant neighborhoods firsthand.