Modern American History explores the United States from the period of the Reconstruction to the present. (Although this tutorial examines later American history, it is self-contained; there are no prerequisites. Moreover, this course would nicely complement American Literature II.) During this exciting period, the United States emerged as a crucial player on the international scene. The means of warfare shifted, scientific advancement accelerated, and the economy solidified into the systems we experience today.
The rapid changes in American society stretched and challenged the philosophical and cultural basis of the United States in fascinating ways. In this course we will examine how these changes have become the theoretical foundations that underlie current American events and issues. It is particularly important to understand this as we act as responsible citizens in our nation and in today’s world.
We will utilize a variety of approaches in our exploration of this period. In particular, we will use lectures, discussions, and readings in primary and secondary sources. The students will complete short writing assignments, which will focus on analyze these sources. Where helpful, students may be asked to write longer papers to probe the key topics of this time-frame.
The American Vision, by Appleby, Brinkley, Broussard, McPherson, and Ritche (published by McGraw-Hill)
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