Course Overview
This course examines the history of American reform movements and their radical alternatives from the late 19th Century to the present. Throughout the course, we will be attentive to the conditions and grievances from which reform movements and radical impulses arise. We will examine individuals and organizations who worked for reform, and those responsible for more radical approaches to the same problems. The first half of the course deals primarily with economic and labor issues, while the second half of the course leans more toward issues of equality and social justice. Using historical monographs, primary sources, music, and film we will seek to understand a variety of reform efforts and radical movements through the lives of those who experienced it.
Required Readings
The following books are available for purchase at the Durham Book Exchange and one copy of each will be held on reserve in the Dimond Library:
Paul Avrich, Sacco and Vanzetti: The Anarchist Background
John D'Emilio, Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities: The Making of a Homosexual Minority in America
Alice Echols, Daring to Be Bad: Radical Feminism in America
Maurice Isserman, If I Had a Hammer: The Death of the Old Left and the Birth of the New Left
Robin D. G. Kelley, Hammer and Hoe: Alabama Communists During the Great Depression
John McPhee, Encounters With the Archdruid
Hugh Pearson, In the Shadow of the Panther: Huey Newton and the Price of Black Power in America
Nick Salvatore, Eugene V. Debs: Citizen and Socialist
Course Reader and various handouts, forthcoming
This course is reading intensive. Its success will depend very much on the active participation of everyone in the class. Although I will lecture occasionally, most class meetings will revolve around discussion of common readings. Please do the reading before you come to class. The discussion will sometimes center on a film or music, but in most cases, we will discuss the readings for the week. Therefore, it is very important that each of us take the responsibility for being prepared and for sustaining the discourse. This means that you must complete and think about the readings before you come to class. Please remember to bring the book(s) that we will be discussing with you.
Assignments and Grades
Your final grade in this course will be calculated as follows:
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First paper:
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20%
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Mid-semester exam:
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15%
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| Research paper/project and oral presentation
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30%
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| Final exam:
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15%
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| Class participation:
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20%
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Final Exam
You will take two examinations covering material from lectures, readings, films, and discussions. The final exam will not be cumulative but will cover material presented since the mid-semester exam.
Assignments
You will write one short paper. The first assignment asks you to write a critical essay (5-7 pages, typed, double-spaced) on one of the books assigned in the course. This paper will be due on the day we discuss the book in class, and students who have written papers will be responsible for leading discussion. You will be asked to choose the book for this assignment within the first week of the semester.
The second assignment may take the form of either a research paper (20 - 25 pages, typed, double-spaced) or an individual or group project; each will involve an oral presentation component. Papers and projects should focus on an important person, organization or event. The project option is offered for those students who would like to be more creative than a written assignment will allow. That said, my expectation is that projects will require at least as much time and effort - and probably more - than a research paper. All project proposals must be approved in advance.
Participation
Please note that one-fifth of your grade is based on your attendance and participation. I do keep track of attendance and of who takes part in discussions. Please keep up with the reading and come to class prepared to discuss it or with questions in mind. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out if any assignments or announcements were made.
Help and Assistance
I will do everything possible to be accessible. My office hours are listed at the top of this syllabus and I am available by appointment as well. Please contact me at home (before 9:00 p.m.) If you have any questions about any aspect of this course. If I am not there, leave a message on the machine, and I will respond as soon as possible. In addition, I try to check my e-mail every day: msfoley@hopper.unh.edu.
If you think you could use some assistance with your writing, check out the University Writing Center at Hamilton Smith Hall (862-3272). There you will find trained writing consultants who can help with all aspects of writing for a history course (though they are not an editing or proofreading service). The Center is an excellent resource; please take advantage of it.
