Time Schedule:
Michael C Reese
HSTAA 303
Seattle Campus
Emergence of modern America, after the Civil War; interrelationships of economic, social, political, and intellectual developments.
Class description
The instructor believes that studying our nation’s past helps us better understand the present. Lectures and readings focus on four major themes: 1) shifting patterns in immigration and race relations; 2) the transformation of gender roles; 3) the changing political economy of the US, especially the growth of federal power; and 4) the expansion of American power abroad. In addition, this class is designed to improve students’ ability to interpret a wide variety of primary sources, including memoirs and autobiographies, photographs, speeches, newspaper articles, legal proceedings, and political cartoons.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Class time is divided roughly equally between lecture and discussion of the course readings. The vast majority of class readings are primary sources, and the reading load will average about 160 pages per week.
Required texts: Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives; Nancy Woloch, ed., Muller v. Oregon: A Brief History with Documents; Martin Luther King, Jr., Why We Can’t Wait; Course reader (2 volumes)
Recommended preparation
Due to the extensive work with primary sources, some previous exposure to college-level history is strongly recommended.
Class assignments and grading
Students will write four mini-essays (2 pages each) and one critical essay (5–7 pages long). All writing assignments will be based on course readings rather than outside research.
Final grades for HSTAA 303 will be determined as follows:
Mini-essays 20% (5% each) Critical essay 25% Midterm exam 15% Final exam 20% Participation in discussions, debates, and activities 20%
