Fall 2003

HIS 315L • United States since 1865

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the transformation of the United States between the Civil War and the late twentieth century. We will focus on three broad, interrelated themes: 1) U.S. political and economic developments, such as the rise of the modern state, the construction of the welfare system, changing labor and immigration policies, American expansionism and globalization; 2) social history, including the formation of both urban and rural subcultures, and struggles against domination by marginalized groups along lines of race, ethnicity, class, gender and sexuality; and 3) American popular culture and its significance in shaping both politics and social life.

The course will rely on classroom lectures and a textbook, OUT OF MANY: A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, VOL II (brief fourth edition) to develop these major themes. However, we will also regularly concentrate classroom sessions on analysis of original historical documents, films, and works of historical fiction and nonfiction.

Grading Policy

Students will be evaluated on the basis on one book response essay (25%); two midterms (20% each) and a final (35%).

Texts

Readings (in addition to textbook and documents course pack): Upton Sinclair, THE JUNGLE Richard Wright, BLACK BOY Tim O’Brien, THE THINGS THEY CARRIED Walter LaFeber, MICHAEL JORDAN AND THE NEW GLOBAL CAPITALISM

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