American Social History

This course explores the history of ordinary Americans, many of whom left little or no written records of their own. Through those case studies and our class discussion we approach the methodological problem of how to write about “non-famous” people through a series of case studies, and students will develop their own research projects to gain insight into how historians work. The course is suitable for history majors, or anyone interested in American history. It is crosslisted with Women’s Studies. Prereq: one previous history class is recommended.

You will need to purchase three books:

Nancy Walker, Women’s Magazines 1940-1960 (Bedford, ISBN 978-0312102012)

Roy Rosenzweig, Eight Hours for What We Will: Workers and Leisure in an Industrial City 1870-1920 (Cambridge U Press, ISBN 978-0521313971)

Pam Munoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising (Blue Sky Press 2002, ISBN 978-0439120425)

In addition, we will rely on many online materials, including the free US history textbook online at www.digitalhistory.org and the Journal of Social History, available at History Cooperative, or through Academic Search Premier at the WSC library homepage.