Class studies American dream and reality

A class at North Lake is studying the American dream and how it measures up to reality.

In Cultural Studies 2370, instructor Pamela Ice hopes to provide teaching tools to North Lake College students, such as textbooks based on the relation between myth and culture.

“So many people associate myth with being false information, when actually it tells stories of our heritage,” said Ice, who hopes we will come to a better understanding of one another.

Ice said that the Declaration of Independence says that all American citizens are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but it does not mean we should separate ourselves from learning of other cultures. By researching stories on comprehension, she said we can understand the ways of others.

Saying no matter how primitive the human race becomes, we still rely on stories for education on cultures. We see ourselves, she said, separate from other countries, when there are two just north and south of U.S. soil.

The first assignment given to the class was a brief personal description of our thoughts on the American dream. After completing the assignment, the class discussed its views openly.

“The Shadow of Hate” was a tragic film presented to the class, showing distinct changes throughout America’s society, since the first immigrants arrived to our nation.

When asked what she hoped to accomplish by teaching the class, Ice responded, “That students would emerge to be the bridges necessary to get us across the troubled waters we face.”

Ice has a master’s degree in humanities, and emphasizes how critical it is for us to study other cultures. Recognizing the great passion in her teaching, I asked Ice to give insight on what the American dream means to her.

“That which was declared in 1776, at the time the dream did not exist, that is what makes it a dream. It is my hope that those will come forth that will bring us closer to the reality of the dream.”