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Spring 2016
HIST 161 Section 3
Mon. Wed. 12:00pm 1:15pm Brighton 210
Course Overview:
This course traces significant changes in American cultural forms and practices through
the 19th and into the 20th century. During this period, the United States changed from
being largely a rural and pre-industrial nation, to one that was self-consciously
modern. In our study of cultural change, we will focus on the rise of a mass consumer
culture, the interplay between mass and high culture, and evolving ideas about
citizenship, gender, class, and race that helped to form constantly competing visions of
the nation.
The course is also meant to be an introduction to the theories and methods that
characterize the interdisciplinary study of American culture. Students should be prepared
to think about cultural history, to examine creative forms (novels, paintings, photographs,
architecture, and particularly music), to consider social criticism and theories of culture.
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION HIST 161. The American Vision. Media survey of
American life from the beginnings to the present. Integrates slides of American art,
architecture, popular culture, and technology with history, literature and contemporary
music. Note: Fulfills state graduation requirement for U.S. History. Graded: Graded
Student. Units: 3.0
Learning Outcomes:
In this course students will develop an understanding of the following:
-Describe and evaluate ethical and social values in their historical and cultural contexts.
-Explain and apply the principles and methods of academic disciplines to the study of
social and individual behavior.
-Demonstrate an understanding of the role of human diversity in human society, for
example, race, ethnicity, class, age, ability/disability, sexual identity, gender and gender
expression.
-Explain and critically examine social dynamics and issues in their historical and cultural
contexts.
-Broad cultural and intellectual trends in United States history from colonial times to the
present, especially the different and often competing visions of American life as
expressed/experienced in art, architecture, popular culture, technology, literature, and
contemporary music.
-The diverse and multi-faceted nature of American culture; how many Americans
representing a diversity of experiences -- have contributed to the cultural and intellectual
life of the nation, including women and African-Americans.
-Basics of the emerging field of visual culture, and how historians are beginning to use
insights gained from the study of images to conduct their research and present their
findings.
Basics of the linguistic turn that has characterized the humanities in recent years, and
how insights gleaned from the analysis of language can contribute to a deeper
understanding of history.
-An introduction to critical methods that scholars use to analyze works of art,
architecture, popular culture, history, literature, and contemporary music.
Required Texts
Susan Wyle, Revisiting America: Readings in Race, Culture and Conflict
Larry Starr and Christopher Waterman, American Popular Music
Peter Gough, Sounds of the New Deal (provided by author)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
GE category: D (The Individual and Society).
General course learning objectives (specific learning objectives are on SacCT). Students will:
Learn the history of the US Culture
Improve skills for professional development in the field of history, teaching, and related
occupations. Class assignments will help students practice written communication,
computing,
and critical thinking necessary for professional and personal success regardless of major
Examine how persons of differing socio-economic status, religion, gender identity, and
ethnic affiliation experienced the USA culture
Describe and evaluate ethical and social values in their historical and cultural
contexts.
Explain and apply the principles and methods of academic disciplines to the
study of social and individual behavior.
Explain and critically examine social dynamics and issues in their historical
and cultural contexts.
Students who successfully complete History 161 will:
Understand cultural history
Become acquainted with primary and secondary sources in the field of cultural history
Situate cultural history into the broad span of American history
Better understand the everyday lives of various groups of Americans in a cultural
history contxt
Understand how social movements have impacted American history
Better understand various social groups and individuals throughout American history
Improve their analytic, reading and writing skills
SACCT
The Syllabus, AHA Statement on Plagiarism, Reading Guides, Paper Topics, Grammar,
and Midterms and Final Exam Study Guides handouts are only available on
SacCT. You may also view your individual assignment grades on SacCT and I
may periodically post announcements on it.
25%
Week 2
Feb. 1
Week 3
8
10
Week 4
15
17
Week 5
22
24
Week 6
29
Mar
Week 7
7
Exam #1
Week 8
14
16
SPRING BREAK
Week 9
28
30
Week 10
4
Week 11
11
13
Week 12
18
20
Week 13
25
27
Week 14
May 2
Week 15
9
11