Econ 1740 Sample Syllabus PDF

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University of Utah

ECON 1740 - US Economic History Instructor: Nathaniel Cline Office: BUC 6 Office Hours: M,W 2:00- 2:45

E-Mail: Use WebCT Classroom: MBH 113 Class Meeting Times: M,W 3:00 - 4:20 1. Introduction

Americans have an interesting relationship with our history. We were for quite a while a “traveller without baggage,” in the sense that our own history perhaps did not weigh on our shoulders as it does for other nations. As Jefferson once said, “the land is for the living.” This tradition of perpetually looking forward, and never behind, did not seem deterred by any developments until 1929. The Great Depression forced us to examine our past, if only in a nostalgic way. In a similar fashion, the events of the current recession have called us once again to revisit our history, this time perhaps in search of answers. This course seeks to defend the explanatory powers of history, and I would argue that now is likely the best time to take (or to teach) U.S. Economic History in recent memory. The events of our past, in particular the economic events of our past, now hold more weight in our collective psychology than they ever have before. 2. Objectives: This course will examine the economic and social history of the United States from the colonial period to the present day. We will survey 400 years of history, requiring us to focus on certain topics and time periods more than others. These topics include the nature and causes of economic growth, distribution of income, and the changing relationship of government and markets. The goal of this course is to introduce economic concepts and apply them to history, and to demonstrate the relevance of economic history for current economic and political issues. By the end of the course, students should be familiar with the historical development of the U.S. economy, and should be able to critically appreciate various current topics in news and opinion on economic matters. 3. Required Text: Walton and Rockoff. History of the American Economy. South-Western, Cengage Learning, 11th ed. 2010. 4. Course Policies (1) Incompletes will be given for reasons of illness, family emergency or other mutually agreed upon reasonable issue. However, please consider first and foremost every reasonable effort to complete the course during the semester. (2) The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.

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(3) Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, etc.) or disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated and may lead to expulsion, failure of the course and other possible penalties. Any behavior judged by the instructor as disrespectful or not adequate for the class environment could force us to ask the responsible to leave the classroom immediately. (4) The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to this syllabus. Any change will be notified with at least two classes in advance, but it is your responsibility to keep informed if you do not attend all the classes. 5. Prerequisites There are no prerequisites for this course, but it is assumed that you have at least a cursory knowledge of U.S. history. If this is not the case, now might be a good time to brush up with a good book. 6. Assignments and Grading You have four responsibilities in this course: (1) Exams There will be three exams; two midterms and a final. The first midterm will be held on 3/3. The second midterm will be held on 4/7 . The final will be held on , at in our regular room. Each exam will be worth 20% of your final grade. (2) Essay You are also required to write one essay for this course. This essay will allow you to form an opinion on a current economic issue, and use historical events as evidence. The essay should be about 5 pages. A list of possible topics (and suggested references) is available to act as a guide for you. The essay is worth 25% of your grade. More will be said about the essay in class. (3) Reading Quizzes Throughout the course there will be bi-weekly reading quizzes, of which your worst two will be dropped. These will consist of 10 multiple choice questions each and will be posted on WebCT under assesments. The quizzes will be available on Thursdays and should be completed by Friday evening. Quizzes will count for 15% of your grade. (4) Feedback I encourage you to provide me with feedback on the course, materials, etc., whenever the mood strikes you. Any comments or suggestions you have will be taken into serious consideration, so please do not hesitate to submit them to me.

Weighting of Assignments Three Exams . . . . . . . . . 60% Essay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25% Reading Quizzes. . . . . . 15%

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7. Tentative Course Schedule* Chapter references are from Walton and Rockoff, WebCT readings can be found under their class number.

Class 1/11 1/13 1/20 1/25 1/27 2/1 2/3 2/8 2/10 2/17 2/22 2/24 3/1 3/3 3/8 3/10 3/15 3/17 3/29 3/31 4/5 4/7 4/12 4/14 4/19 4/21 4/26 4/28

Reading

Topic Introduction (WebCT) Pre-Capitalist Europe (WebCT) Pre-Capitalist Europe cntd. (WebCT) and H+S Ch.2 The Origins of the Market Economy, and Mercantilism Video: Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs and Steel (WebCT) Deep Causes of Economic Growth and the Colonies Ch. 3 The Colonial Economy Ch. 6 Economics and the War for Independence Ch. 7, (WebCT) Directions for the New Nation Ch. 10, (WebCT) Market Expansion Ch. 11 Labor during the Early Industrial Period Ch. 13 Slavery Ch. 14 The Civil War Midterm I Ch. 17 Industrial Expansion Ch. 18 Labor in the Industrial Period (WebCT) Prices and Income Distribution in Modern Industry Ch. 22 The Roaring Twenties Ch. 23, (WebCT) The Great Depression (WebCT) Financial Crises in Historical Perspective Ch. 24, (WebCT) The New Deal Midterm II Ch. 25 WWII and the War Economy Ch. 26 The Changing Role of the Federal Government Ch. 27, (WebCT) The “Golden Age” Ch. 27, (WebCT) The “Great Inflation” Ch. 27, (WebCT) The Conservative Era and the Modern Economy (WebCT) The “Great Recession” Final Exam is May 6th in Our Regular Room * The instructor reserves the right to alter this schedule as the course progresses. Any changes to the above schedule will be made with appropriate prior notice...