History Seminar--Progressive Era America, 1890-1920

Spring 2003

MR 3:30 - 5:10, Room A-108 

"Hester Street, New York City"
By an unknown photographer, ca. 1903
National Archives and Records Administration,
Records of the Public Housing Administration 
(196-GS-369) [VENDOR # 12] 

Course Description:

This history seminar serves as a "capstone course" for students completing the history major.  The subject of the seminar this semester is America during the Progressive Era, 1890-1920. Our focus will be on the growth of industrial capitalism and the myriad social and cultural transformations tied to this growth. We will study secondary narratives of the era and primary historical sources. Our objectives are to deepen our knowledge of this period of American history, study how the period has been examined by historians, analyze the potential and problems of primary document research, and further our proficiency in historical writing and research. 

-It is highly recommended that you have completed the American history requirements before taking this seminar. (AHST 107, AHST 108, three 200 level US history courses, and one 300 level US History course).  If you have not taken these courses please see me as soon as possible. 

-Check the course web page often for updates and changes.  Especially check the announcements page for news pertaining to the course.

-Please arrive to class on time; consistently late arrivals disturb the class.

-Please bring assigned readings to class.

-All assignments will be due on the date specified; late assignments will be severely penalized.

-Become familiar with the various forms of plagiarism.  Using others' ideas without giving full credit will not be tolerated in your assignments.  If you are unsure with what constitutes plagiarism, please click here for a helpful introduction with examples from the Indiana University Writing Resource page: Students' Guide to Plagiarism.  Students who plagiarize will receive an "F" and will be reported to the Provost's Office.

-Keeping up with the reading is imperative in this class. A seminar course is built around informed and thoughtful discussion of the assigned reading.  If you do not do the reading our discussions will not accomplish what they are meant to.   If you find you are falling behind, or find the reading load difficult, please contact me so that we can find the appropriate help.

-I greatly encourage all of you to come by and see me during office hours or by appointment to discuss your progress in the class or other relevant issues.

Any student with documented special needs should meet with me during office hours. All efforts will be made to facilitate your presence and successful completion of the course.

Required Reading (available at Ramapo College Bookstore):

1.  Turabian, Kate L., A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.  University of Chicago Press, 1997.

2.  Diner, Steven J., A Very Different Age:  Americans of the Progressive Era.  Hill & Wang, 1998.

3.  Addams, Jane, Twenty years at Hull-House. Edited with and Introduction by Victoria Bissell Brown.  Bedford/St. Martin's Press, 1999.

4.  Riis, Jacob A., How the Other Half Lives.  Edited with an Introduction by David Leviatin.  Bedford/St. Martin's Press, 1996.

5.  Muckraking: Three Landmark Articles.  Edited with and Introduction by Ellen F. Fitzpatrick.  Bedford/St. Martin's Press, 1994.

6.  Additional reading will be distributed in class or put on reserve in the Potter Library.

Evaluation Procedures:

1.  Attendance and Participation (10%).

2.  Four Quizzes on assigned reading (20% -- 5% each)

3.  Citation Test (10%)