HIS 373 “American Girls”: Playing with History
This course explores the historical narratives Americans teach their children and the consequences of these stories. We will read and analyze children’s historical fiction, especially from the American Girl franchise, explore the profitable world of children’s toys and books, and create our own line of historical dolls and stories. Our goal will be to ask ourselves what these stories teach people about America’s past and what values these stories (and dolls) seek to instill in our future.