HIST 233-01, The United States in the 20th Century, Spring 2007

Abstract

The twentieth century was a period of profound social, political, and economic change in the United States. What was once mainly a rural nation emerged as the world’s leading industrial and military superpower. This course will survey the history of the United States from 1900 to the present time. What rights did the average American worker have in the new political economy? How do historians explain the transformation of American liberalism? How did the major social conflicts of the twentieth century change American perceptions of race, class, and gender in society? By studying these questions and others this class intends to provide students with a greater awareness of the complexity of American history and how “ordinary” Americans were able to shape the world we live in today.