Af-flu-en-za n. 1. The bloated,
sluggish and unfulfilled feeling
that results from efforts to keep
up with the Joneses.
2. An epidemic of stress,
overwork, waste and
indebtedness caused by
dogged pursuit of the American
Dream.
3. An unsustainable addiction
to economic growth.
4. A television program that
could change your life.









AMST 355  Class and Culture     Michael R. H. Swanson, Ph. D.
M - Th,  3:30 - 5:00             Office: CAS 110
CAS 228          Hours,  T:  9:30 - 11:00
Roger Williams University           MWF:  1:00 - 2:00
Spring Semester. 2009    Phone:  ext 3230
E-Mail:  amst355@gmail.com
Index


















The illustration leads to the website of Affluenza,org.
For Monday, April 20
No new readings for today.  At your request last week, I extended the preview and final turn-in dates for the paper on The Working Poor.  Don't waste the extra time.  There will be brief readings for Thursday, the day on which I'd like to have the Shipler papers turned in.  I'd suggest looking ahead if you have some spare time this weekend.
Click for Affluenza's Website
For a change of pace  I’m showing a film about a “condition” which, if the presentation is correct, affects all Americans, but is particularly troublesome for the middle to upper classes.  As was the case for People like Us, there is a teacher's guide for Affluenza.

Since the last time I taught this course, a new website has appeared on the horizon .  Affluenza.org  As far as I can tell, it serves as an umbrella for a number of organizations desiring to reign in consumption.  Click in the various "puzzle pieces" in the logo to see who is involved. 

Note that this is not the same organization as "The Affluenza Project", a link to which is hiding under the picture at the top left. 

Visit The Affluenza Project by clicking here.
For Thursday, April 23
Download and Read, from the Internet New York Times Series
The "Relo" Class. 

View Larger Map
Above and below:  Alpharetta, Georgia
Two Houses in Alpharetta.  To the left, a "country club" style home at 605 Brisbane Manor.  Below, Town House".

Alpharetta is (or maybe was) home to the Link family--the subject family in the essay on the "Relo Class"