1. The Victorian concern over the Confidence Man seemed to express deep seated fears about changes in American society. What were these changes? What was the nature of the threat that the Confidence Man posed to the individual and society? What were the various types of Confidence Men? What distinctive societal fears did each type of Confidence Men represent?

2. How did Blackface Minstrelsy reflect issues of race, ethnicity, class and gender in nineteenth century America?

3. In what ways did Rock 'n' Roll both reflect and shape twentieth century American society and culture?

4. In what ways did television both reflect and shape post World War II American society and culture?