The United States during the 20th Century
HIST 240
Spring 2009
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 230 |
In this course we will explore many dimensions of U.S. history during the 20th century, including immigration, urbanization, economic expansion, depression, inflation, feminism, civil rights, labor relations, race relations, suburbanization, education, culture, music, sports, changing conceptions of the Constitution, the judiciary, and the Presidency, foreign policies, warfare, and, above all, politics.
The unifying theme will be the emergence of modern liberalism--the idea that government should bring equality to Americans and oppressed peoples around the world. New in the early 20th century, this idea became nearly unanimously accepted in the U.S. by the third quarter of the 20th century, only to be so discredited by the 1980s and 1990s that even philosophically liberal politicians shunned the "L" word. How and why did modern liberalism emerge, triumph, and then collapse? We also will inquire about the repercussions during recent times. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Writing |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (AMST)(CIVI-MN)(EDST)(HIST-MN)(HIST)(STS) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Michael McGerr, A FIERCE DISCONTENT: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE PROGRESSIVE MOVEMENT IN AMERICA, 1870-1920 (2003).
Ronald Steel, WALTER LIPPMANN AND THE AMERICAN CENTURY (1980).
Alan Brinkley, THE END OF REFORM: NEW DEAL LIBERALISM IN RECESSION AND WAR (1995).
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., THE VITAL CENTER: THE POLITICS OF FREEDOM (1949)
Bruce J. Shulman, LYNDON B. JOHNSON AND AMERICAN LIBERALISM (1994).
Sean Wilentz, THE AGE OF REAGAN: A HISTORY, 1974-2008 (2008)
Plus many primary documents and chapters of other books.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three essays, each on which involves interpetating a primary document |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Regular class attendance and participation are assumed |
| Instructor(s): Schatz,Ronald W. Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC004; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 50 | | SR major: 5 | JR major: 5 | | |
| Seats Available: 5 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 5 | SO: 17 | FR: 15 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 1 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 1 |
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