Immigration and the American Identity: The Ongoing Debate

We celebrate the U.S. as a nation of immigrants, where millions who arrived with nothing went on to claim a part of the American dream.  And yet, each influx of newcomers has been seen by many already here as a threat to the American way of life, leading to calls to close the door. This course will examine this tension, focusing on Irish and Chinese immigration in the mid-1800s, the arrival of Italians, Jews and others in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japanese immigration and internment in the first half of the 20th century, and more recent immigration from Mexico, Latin America and Asia.  Included will be inspiring accounts of immigrants' striving to succeed, as well as political battles to curb immigration based on race, national origin and other factors, and at times violent efforts to expel newcomers.  Among the questions to be considered: is it possible to compare the experiences of immigrant groups arriving at vastly different times in our history?  Have demands to curb immigration come mostly from American elites, or from lower-status groups?  And finally, how much does the current immigration debate have roots in America's past?
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 0

You'll walk away with

• Understand major waves of U.S. immigration from the 19th century to today and the social, political, and economic contexts surrounding them
• Compare the experiences of different immigrant groups and analyze patterns of inclusion, exclusion, and identity formation
• Evaluate how historical attitudes and policies toward immigrants inform and influence contemporary immigration debates

Ideal for

• All members of the community—working, retired, and in between
• Those seeking to contextualize historical or contemporary political events