Thinking about ideology

1. Summarize ALL readings from this week’s module. Be brief and focused.

2. Watch the Ted Talk, The New American Dream (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Courtney E. Martin makes the claim that “the biggest danger is not failing to achieve the American Dream.The biggest danger is achieving a dream that you don’t actually believe in.” Do you agree with her? Why or why not? Where do we get our concept of the American Dream? Is it ours to change?

3. The texts this week are presenting new ideas about the American Dream that in many ways question our ideological underpinnings as a nation. But most people take their ideological beliefs as more akin to truths than reconstructable frameworks. What long-standing American beliefs get in the way of reconfiguring the American Dream? Use the articles from this week OR last to support your answer.

As always, be substantive in your responses. I want at least 350 words for the answers to 2 & 3 (combined). Remember that you need to respond thoughtfully and constructively to at least two classmates (no “I like” responses; make critical conversations take place).