Time Schedule:
Trevor Scott Griffey
HSTAA 303
Seattle Campus
Emergence of modern America, after the Civil War; interrelationships of economic, social, political, and intellectual developments.
Class description
This course will provide an overview of United States history from 1877 to the present. Its focus will be on the relationship between the evolution of United States politics and society "at home" and the projection of American economic, cultural, and military power "abroad."
Traditional topics in the history of the 20th century United States (such as the origin of the modern bureaucratic state, immigration and citizenship politics, the rise of the modern corporation, consumerism and popular culture, changing notions of gender and sexuality, and the rise and fall of the Jim Crow South) will be framed in relation to the history of European and American imperialism, global migrations of peoples, world wars, the Cold War, and economic and cultural globalization.
Student learning goals
Have a basic familiarity with major themes and events in American political culture over the last century.
Have a basic appreciation and knowledge of how American history and society are deeply intertwined with world history.
General method of instruction
Classes will be part-lecture and part-discussion, with discussion focused on interpreting primary source readings, films, and music.
Recommended preparation
Students are encouraged, but not required, to have already taken a previous U.S. history course that paid substantial attention to pre-1877 history.
Class assignments and grading
Summer B-term students should expect a workload commensurate with receiving 5 credits. Short writing assignments and tests will be used to ensure students come to class prepared to discuss course readings.
