The 20th-Century United States
HIST 240
Spring 2013 not offered
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 230 |
| Certificates: Civic Engagement, The Study of Education |
This course addresses the changing shape of American political culture over the course of the 20th century. Central to our discussions will be the values and convictions--social, political, religious--that have moved citizens, political parties, and policy agendas over time. Under what conditions can citizens and politicians alter history? Under what conditions does history itself seem to have a profound influence over political decision making? How do different political groups attempt to harness the state--or eliminate government participation in their lives--to solve pressing social problems?
Though this class will cover the entire scope of American history since 1912, we'll focus our attention on three vitally important periods of change: the Great Depression of the 1930s, when the economic liberalism of the New Deal fundamentally transformed the nation; the social upheavals of the 1960s, when Americans became increasingly polarized over issues such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and social changes; and the modern resurgence of conservatism since the 1970s in a broad range of American life. |
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| 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 Major Requirement for: (AMST)(CIVI-MN)(EDST)(HIST-MN)(HIST)(STS) |
Major Readings:
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 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
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