John Mack Faragher, et al., Out of Many: A History of the American People.
Frederick Binder & David Reimers, The Way We Lived, v. 2: 1865-Present.
Assignments:
A. Analyses: in most of the discussion/lecture topics listed below, you will note that there is required reading from the Binder/Reimers book of documents. Each student will be responsible for a brief (no more than 1 page, front and back; 2 pages if done on computer/typewriter) analysis of 5 of the chapters assigned. Please note that analysis does not mean a report on what the essays and documents said. You should convey in a concise manner the main point(s) of the essay and documents under review.
In addition, these analyses will also form the basis of in-class discussions. Depending on the number of students enrolled in this section, the class will be divided into 3-5 groups, each of which will periodically prepare and lead a class discussion centered around a designated chapter from the Binder/Reimers book.
B. Each student will complete 2 other projects during the semester. The choices include:
1. Conduct an oral history interview and provide a written narrative summary and analysis. (An oral
interview guide will be provided).
2. Critically review a film dealing with political, social, or historical themes. (Check with me for
approval of the film you wish to review).
3. Use a series of magazine/newspaper advertisements from a specific period within the time frame of this course to analyze and reveal the values of the time period, the roles of men & women, people's aspirations or fears, popular tastes and moral standards
4. Use a series of photographs from a specific period within the time frame of this course to analyze and reveal how Americans lived in the past but also to illustrate what messages the photographer(s) meant to convey and how they meant to achieve their desired results.
In the projects, you will be graded on content, organization, and style. Remember, clarity of expression follows clarity of thought.
Grades/Grading Scale: There will be 3 hour examinations in addition to the analyses and 2 projects. Your grade will be based on the following:
Chapter Analyses (& class discussion) 10%
Projects (2) 15% each 30%
Exams (3) 20% each 60%
A = 93--> B+ = 87-89 B- = 80-82 C = 73-76 D+ = 67-69 F = 59-->
A- = 90-92 B = 83-86 C+ = 77-79 C- = 70-72 D = 60-66
You are responsible for all information discussed in class. The Department of History expects students to attend classes. If there is any student in this class who has need for test-taking or note-taking accommodation please discuss this with me.
Unit I: Industrialization and Its Discontents
1/12-1/23 Industrialization & Urbanization: The Transformation of America, 1877-1900
Text: ch. ch. 19; Binder/Reimers: ch. 1, 4.
1/19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
1/26-1/28 The Populist Revolt Against Industrialization: Farmers as Radicals, 1890-1900.
Text: pp. 617-635.
1/30-2/4 Reaction to Industrialization: The Reform Efforts of the Progressive Era, 1900-1916.
Text: ch. 21; Binder/Reimers: ch. 5.
2/6-2/9 Industrial Power in a Dangerous World: The Quest for Empire, 1890-1914
Text: pp. 636-647.
2/11 1st Hour Examination
Unit II: Modernization and Its Discontents
2/13-2/20 War as Progressive Crusade: America in World War I.
Text: ch. 22; Binder/Reimers: ch. 6, 7.
2/23 1st Project Due
2/23-2/27 Reaction to War: Social & Economic Change: Life in the 1920's.
Text: ch. 23; Binder/Reimers: ch. 8, 9.
3/2-3/13 Economic and Social Crisis: The Great Depression of the 1930's
Text: ch. 24; Binder/Reimers: ch. 10.
3/16-3/20 Spring Break Holiday
3/23-4/6 The Global Reaction to Depression: World War II, 1933-1945.
Text: ch. 25; Binder/Reimers: ch. 11, 12.
4/8 2nd Hour Examination
4/10 Good Friday Holiday
Unit III: Internationalization and Its Discontents
4/13-4/17 The Age of Anxiety: The Cold War, 1945-1953.
Text: ch. 26.
4/17 2nd Project Due
4/20-4/24 Affluence & Its Perils: America at Mid-Century, 1953-1964
Text: ch. 27; Binder/Reimers: ch. 13, 14.
4/27-5/1 War Abroad, War at Home, 1965-1974
Text: ch. 28-30; Binder/Reimers: ch. 15, 16.
5/6 Final Examination
Wednesday, May 6, 1:20-3:20 p.m.
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