Negotiating a Changing World: 1920-1950

Applications are due Anytime. Tuition is $120 USD.

Negotiating a Changing World is a non-degree program that explores American history from 1920 to 1950. It's a one-week online program at Columbia University, open to students of all levels. You'll learn about major events and trends that shaped the United States during this period.

The curriculum delves into the social, cultural, and political changes of the time, including the Great Depression, World War II, and the early Cold War. You'll develop skills in historical analysis, critical thinking, and writing. You'll also learn how to evaluate primary sources and develop well-supported arguments.

After completing this program, you could pursue careers like journalist, teacher, or curator. You might work for media outlets, schools, or cultural institutions like the Smithsonian or the New York Times. Some possible job titles include social studies teacher, museum curator, or historical preservationist.

Columbia University, founded in 1754 and located in New York City, is a world-renowned Ivy League research university that blends rigorous scholarship with an urban, globally-connected campus life. With a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across the arts, sciences, engineering, business, and professional fields, Columbia emphasizes intellectual inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to the rich cultural and professional resources of New York.

Columbia’s academic strengths are complemented by extensive research facilities, libraries, and centers that support student-led projects and faculty scholarship. The university’s location enables exceptional internship, networking, and cultural opportunities across finance, media, technology, public policy, and the arts. Small seminars, mentorship from leading scholars, and a strong career services network help students translate academic achievement into professional success.

For international students, Columbia offers language support, international student advising, and a diverse campus community drawn from around the world. The university’s commitment to global engagement, combined with its urban setting, makes it an attractive choice for students seeking a rigorous education, significant research opportunities, and direct access to one of the world’s most vibrant cities.