Walt Disney’s “American Century” and the California Dream

Course

Walt Disney’s “American Century” and the California Dream

Thursday, September 17, 2026
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Statue of Walt and Mickey (free use)

In this course, we discuss what publisher Henry Luce called “The American Century,” focusing on the ways “Disney” (the person, the company, the art, the movies, the theme parks) influenced American culture, ideals, urban design, and national consciousness. We will pay particular attention to the relationship of the Disney phenomenon to the myth of the California Dream.


Faculty Bio

Kathleen Moran is a founder and faculty member of UC Berkeley's American Studies Program and has taught courses in History, English, Film, Geography, Architecture and Art History. She is a recipient of Berkeley's Distinguished Teaching Award.


This is an In-Person Course


Schedule Highlights

  • Course starts on Thursday, Sept. 17., and ends on Thursday, Oct. 22
  • Classes meet for 6 weeks, 2 hours per session (1–3 p.m.)
  • All course materials will be available in Member Dashboards through Dec. 31

Faculty Q&A

Walt Disney’s “American Century” and the California Dream