As the USA faces unprecedented rethinking in the political, legal, social and cultural norms, the course aims to introduce non-American students to issues and topics in the history and politics of the United States. Succesful completion of the course will provide the benchmarks and critical tools necessary to analyze the challenges of the present. The course is designed to provide the key elements to understand US history, the federal model and political system, and politics and their interconnections. In second place, the course aims to explain the changing relationship between the US and the world, the relationship between politics and security, and the influence of US domestic issues on global dynamics. Finally, it aims to show the relationship between the various elements, in terms of domestic and continental dynamics, links with European history and international relations.

Upon completing the course, students will be able to: • Approach the US from a broad range of perspectives, identifying the factors at play in various historical and contemporary situations; • Recognize US historical, institutional, societal and political drivers • Examine and understand the issues at play in the 2026 midterm elections; • Analyse the situation and formulate scenarios for the 2026 midterm elections. Successful students will be able to place emerging issues and trends of the 21st Century United States in a historical and cultural framework, with critical perspectives that go beyond often sensational reporting. At the end of the course, students will be able to sustain fact-based discussions of key concepts in the evolution and current situation of USA, as well as extrapolate informed analyses of contemporary issues from appropriate historical examples. This course will provide students with a clear understanding of terms required to communicate effectively and appropriately in English on all issues covered in the course, including political thought and institutions. Class discussions will provide practical experience in forming, articulating and expressing questions and opinions orally in real-time. This course will expand students’ interpretive toolkits to areas, issues and themes not usually covered in Euro-centric programs and syllabi. Students will learn to find, evaluate, interpret and use a broader range of sources and interdiscipinary viewpoints.

The course opens with a snapshot of the USA in 2026, including the disruption caused by the second Trump term, including issues of balance of powers (checks and balances), wars, international alliances, personal and academic freedom, civil rights. After this, the course follows two tracks. The first half provides the historical narrative, from the founding to the present; the second half is thematic and looks at constitutional and political issues. Lectures and discussions look at the origins of the nation, its development and expansion, the evolution of the system, current political issues and future scenarios. By adopting a strongly thematic approach, the course provides from the outset the perspectives to understand the country as it seeks a new mission and a new understanding of itself (including racism in both its roots and current manifestations) and of its role in the global community.

I am happy to discuss acceptable alternatives, but please note that I may not be able to provide chapter/page indications for every book. Manuals in languages other than English are acceptable in principle, but please note that I may not be able to interact with books in languages I am not conversant with. A US history manual The preferred choice is Maldwyn Jones, The Limits of Liberty. American History, 1607-1992, London, OUP, 1995. (or any later edition) A US constitutional history manual The preferred choice is Akhil Reed Amar, America’s Constitution: A Biography. Random House, New York, 2005. One additional book chosen among these Joe Bageant, Deer Hunting With Jesus. New York, Crown, 2007. Robert C. Benedict, Matthew J. Burbank and Ronald J. Hrebenar, Political Parties, Interest Groups and Political Campaigns. Oxford, Oxford UP, 2011 (2.a ed.). Lee, Drutman, The Business of America is Lobbying: How Corporations Became Politicized and Politics Became Corporate. Oxford, OUP, 2015. William M. Leogrande, and Peter Kornbluh, Back Channel to Cuba. Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Press, 2014. James T Patterson, Freedom Is Not Enough. New York, Basic Books, 2010. Richard A. Posner, A Failure of Capitalism. The Crisis of ’08 and the descent into Depression. Cambridge, Harvard UP, 2009. Arthur M. Schlesinger, War and the American Presidency. New York, Norton, 2005 (2nd ed.). Stanford J. Ungar, The papers & The Papers. New York, Columbia UP, 1989 (2.a ed.). Craig Unger, House of Trump, House of Putin. New York, Dutton, 2018. In addition, students will receive PDFs presentation and handouts

Lectures Presentations Simulations & Role-playing Discussions Note: Perspectives from different countries/cultures are particularly appreciated.

For student meeting the LUISS compliance criteria: 30% in continuous assessment (attendance, participation, midterm or other in-class test/work; students are encouraged to discuss/suggest project work) and 70% in final oral exam (note: the final covers the entire syllabus, regardless of the material covered in the midterm). Non-compliant: 100% of grade based on final oral examination.

Active participation and actual interest Ability to propose stimulating topics All topics and approaches are welcome provided that they can be adequately researched, whether from sources available in Italy or online, or the candidate can study/research abroad