United States History: Reconstruction to Present
Welcome, fellow travelers of the historical void. We're diving headfirst into the sprawling mess of America's journey from the ashes of Reconstruction to the chaotic, Instagram-filtered present. The period from 1877 to the present is filled with industrial booms, seismic cultural shifts, and the thunderous roar of social movements shaking the ground beneath our feet. These movements, from suffragists to civil rights revolutionaries, have transformed the fabric of our society, empowering individuals and engaging us all in the ongoing narrative of American history. This is when the United States, just a scrappy little post-Civil War nation, grows into the global behemoth dominating modern geopolitics. But don't be fooled, it's not all hot dogs, apple pie, and baseball. This era is riddled with corruption, inequality, war, rebellion, and the absurdity that can only be found in the pages of a history book written by someone who's been through it all and lived to tell the tale. We'll crack open the stories of gun-slinging cowboys and Wall Street sharks, of suffragists and civil rights revolutionaries, and of tech tycoons and pop culture gods.
This diverse tapestry of American history ensures that everyone, from labor movements to counterculture, has a place in the narrative, making the audience feel included and represented. We explore the bitter struggles of the labor movements, the endless quagmire of declared and undeclared wars, and the existential crisis of a nation constantly grappling with its own contradictions. Whether it's the rise of mass media, the rise of counterculture, or the slow-motion collision of the old guard with the new, the story of America since 1877 is like a high-speed chase through a cracked windshield, where everything's speeding up, breaking down, and rewriting itself with each new twist. Hold on tight, history's never been this wild.
Need a quick refresher on history? British rapper and songwriter Dan Bull has you covered:
Let me tell you of the days of high adventure! - Mako the Wizard, Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Let's immerse ourselves in the captivating world of Ryan Gordon Lancaster, an avid history enthusiast born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 30, 1983. From his early years, Ryan displayed an insatiable curiosity for history, a passion that persisted through his academic journey. After graduating from West Ottawa High School in 2002, he embarked on a vigorous pursuit of knowledge, obtaining an Associate degree in Applied Sciences from Muskegon Community College in 2005 and a Bachelor of Science in History from Grand Valley State University in 2009. Undeterred, he furthered his education with a Master in American History from American Military University in 2014, solidifying his reputation as a top-notch educator and adjunct professor at Central Texas College, Muskegon Community College, and California Intercontinental University.
Beyond the confines of academia, Ryan's ardor for history led him to explore the depths of time, uncovering hidden fragments and solving historical mysteries. For him, history was not merely a subject; it was the lifeblood of humanity, weaving through our veins and shaping our existence. Ryan was a guardian of the past, advocating for accessible history outside traditional classrooms. Involved in Michigan's public schools and museums, he spread historical wisdom far and wide, believing that the richness of history should be within everyone's reach. Ryan's unconventional teaching methods and dedication to making history approachable made him an outstanding educator and a trailblazer, leaving an indelible mark on future generations.
Let's immerse ourselves in the captivating world of Ryan Gordon Lancaster, an avid history enthusiast born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on August 30, 1983. From his early years, Ryan displayed an insatiable curiosity for history, a passion that persisted through his academic journey. After graduating from West Ottawa High School in 2002, he embarked on a vigorous pursuit of knowledge, obtaining an Associate degree in Applied Sciences from Muskegon Community College in 2005 and a Bachelor of Science in History from Grand Valley State University in 2009. Undeterred, he furthered his education with a Master in American History from American Military University in 2014, solidifying his reputation as a top-notch educator and adjunct professor at Central Texas College, Muskegon Community College, and California Intercontinental University.
Beyond the confines of academia, Ryan's ardor for history led him to explore the depths of time, uncovering hidden fragments and solving historical mysteries. For him, history was not merely a subject; it was the lifeblood of humanity, weaving through our veins and shaping our existence. Ryan was a guardian of the past, advocating for accessible history outside traditional classrooms. Involved in Michigan's public schools and museums, he spread historical wisdom far and wide, believing that the richness of history should be within everyone's reach. Ryan's unconventional teaching methods and dedication to making history approachable made him an outstanding educator and a trailblazer, leaving an indelible mark on future generations.
Course Delivery Format: Online/Asynchronous
This course is entirely online and will utilize the Blackboard Learning Management System in an asynchronous format. Online courses are not self-paced but provide flexibility because there are no scheduled meeting times. All instruction, including video/audio/written lectures, assignments, and testing, is delivered via Blackboard. Communication between instructors and students is through email, discussion boards, etc. Instructors may require testing to be conducted in a live, proctored setting or through an online virtual program, such as Respondus Lockdown Browser.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the reading assignments and video lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of the instructor or the school. History is not monolithic; it is told through countless eyes with countless opinions
This course is entirely online and will utilize the Blackboard Learning Management System in an asynchronous format. Online courses are not self-paced but provide flexibility because there are no scheduled meeting times. All instruction, including video/audio/written lectures, assignments, and testing, is delivered via Blackboard. Communication between instructors and students is through email, discussion boards, etc. Instructors may require testing to be conducted in a live, proctored setting or through an online virtual program, such as Respondus Lockdown Browser.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the reading assignments and video lectures do not necessarily reflect the views of the instructor or the school. History is not monolithic; it is told through countless eyes with countless opinions
We've got some fine classroom lectures coming your way, all courtesy of the RPTM podcast. These lectures will take you on a wild ride through history, exploring everything from ancient civilizations and epic battles to scientific breakthroughs and artistic revolutions. The podcast will guide you through each lecture with its no-nonsense, straight-talking style, using various sources to give you the lowdown on each topic. You won't find any fancy-pants jargon or convoluted theories here, just plain and straightforward explanations anyone can understand. So sit back and prepare to soak up some knowledge.
REQUIRED READINGS:
Brinkley, Alan, John M. Giggie, and Andrew J. Huebner. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2022.
All other assigned texts will be provided to you through the learning modules or via links.
Alan Brinkley, a profound intellectual force in history, is the kind of professor who delves deep into the fabric of American politics. A bestselling author and former provost at Columbia, Brinkley's books are not just academic exercises but profound explorations into the New Deal, the Great Depression, and the American dream. From the Ivy League to Oxford, this man has immersed himself in history, unearthing the truth with a precision that cuts through the fog of political rhetoric. Brinkley's academic career is a beacon of knowledge, illuminating the darkest corners of history.
And then there is John M. Giggie, a Southern history powerhouse who plunges into the weighty past of the Civil Rights Movement, lynching, and race in the Deep South. With a PhD from Princeton, he is the kind of scholar who does not just teach about the past—he compels you to grapple with it, to confront the violence and memory that still haunt the American South. His courses are not leisurely walks through history; they are potent reminders, grenades hurled at anyone too comfortable with the sanitized version of the past. Meanwhile, Andrew Huebner, a man who blends war, culture, and American identity like a potent cocktail, is in his intellectual trench, unpacking the harsh realities of war's impact on society. Huebner exposes the painful wounds of American history, dissecting everything from the brutality of WWI to the emotional scars that still linger. Together, these three scholars are not just documenting history—they are forcing us to confront it, heavy and unvarnished, in the modern world.
Brinkley, Alan, John M. Giggie, and Andrew J. Huebner. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2022.
All other assigned texts will be provided to you through the learning modules or via links.
Alan Brinkley, a profound intellectual force in history, is the kind of professor who delves deep into the fabric of American politics. A bestselling author and former provost at Columbia, Brinkley's books are not just academic exercises but profound explorations into the New Deal, the Great Depression, and the American dream. From the Ivy League to Oxford, this man has immersed himself in history, unearthing the truth with a precision that cuts through the fog of political rhetoric. Brinkley's academic career is a beacon of knowledge, illuminating the darkest corners of history.
And then there is John M. Giggie, a Southern history powerhouse who plunges into the weighty past of the Civil Rights Movement, lynching, and race in the Deep South. With a PhD from Princeton, he is the kind of scholar who does not just teach about the past—he compels you to grapple with it, to confront the violence and memory that still haunt the American South. His courses are not leisurely walks through history; they are potent reminders, grenades hurled at anyone too comfortable with the sanitized version of the past. Meanwhile, Andrew Huebner, a man who blends war, culture, and American identity like a potent cocktail, is in his intellectual trench, unpacking the harsh realities of war's impact on society. Huebner exposes the painful wounds of American history, dissecting everything from the brutality of WWI to the emotional scars that still linger. Together, these three scholars are not just documenting history—they are forcing us to confront it, heavy and unvarnished, in the modern world.
Howard Zinn was a historian, writer, and political activist known for his critical analysis of American history. He is particularly well-known for his counter-narrative to traditional American history accounts and highlights marginalized groups' experiences and perspectives. Zinn's work is often associated with social history and is known for his Marxist and socialist views. Larry Schweikart is also a historian, but his work and perspective are often considered more conservative. Schweikart's work is often associated with military history, and he is known for his support of free-market economics and limited government. Overall, Zinn and Schweikart have different perspectives on various historical issues and events and may interpret historical events and phenomena differently. Occasionally, we will also look at Thaddeus Russell, a historian, author, and academic. Russell has written extensively on the history of social and cultural change, and his work focuses on how marginalized and oppressed groups have challenged and transformed mainstream culture. Russell is known for his unconventional and controversial ideas, and his work has been praised for its originality and provocative nature.
My classes utilize both Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and Larry Schweikart's Patriot's History of the United States, mostly in excerpts posted to the modules.
My classes utilize both Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States and Larry Schweikart's Patriot's History of the United States, mostly in excerpts posted to the modules.
Prepare to be transported into the captivating realm of historical films and videos. Brace yourselves for a mind-bending odyssey through time as we embark on a cinematic expedition. Within these flickering frames, the past morphs into a vivid tapestry of triumphs, tragedies, and transformative moments that have shaped the very fabric of our existence. We shall immerse ourselves in a whirlwind of visual narratives, dissecting the nuances of artistic interpretations, examining the storytelling techniques, and voraciously devouring historical accuracy with the ferocity of a time-traveling historian. So strap in, hold tight, and prepare to have your perception of history forever shattered by the mesmerizing lens of the camera.
Welcome to the mind-bending Key Terms extravaganza of our history class learning module. Brace yourselves; we will unravel the cryptic codes, secret handshakes, and linguistic labyrinths that make up the twisted tapestry of historical knowledge. These key terms are the Rosetta Stones of our academic journey, the skeleton keys to unlocking the enigmatic doors of comprehension. They're like historical Swiss Army knives, equipped with blades of definition and corkscrews of contextual examples, ready to pierce through the fog of confusion and liberate your intellectual curiosity. By harnessing the power of these mighty key terms, you'll possess the superhuman ability to traverse the treacherous terrains of primary sources, surf the tumultuous waves of academic texts, and engage in epic battles of historical debate. The past awaits, and the key terms are keys to unlocking its dazzling secrets.
DISCLAIMER: Welcome scholars to the wild and wacky world of history class. This isn't your granddaddy's boring ol' lecture, baby. We will take a trip through time, which will be one wild ride. I know some of you are in a brick-and-mortar setting, while others are in the vast digital wasteland. But fear not; we're all in this together. Online students might miss out on some in-person interaction, but you can still join in on the fun. This little shindig aims to get you all engaged with the course material and understand how past societies have shaped the world we know today. We'll talk about revolutions, wars, and other crazy stuff. So get ready, kids, because it's going to be one heck of a trip. And for all, you online students out there, don't be shy. Please share your thoughts and ideas with the rest of us. The Professor will do his best to give everyone an equal opportunity to learn, so don't hold back. So, let's do this thing!
Ladies and gentlemen, gather 'round for the pièce de résistance of this classroom module - the summary section. As we embark on this tantalizing journey, we'll savor the exquisite flavors of knowledge, highlighting the fundamental ingredients and spices that have seasoned our minds throughout these captivating lessons. Prepare to indulge in a savory recap that will leave your intellectual taste buds tingling, serving as a passport to further enlightenment.
Click on a button to learn more about other assignments for this class:
Click on a button to learn more about other assignments for this class:
LEARNING MODULES
Below is a list of each of the learning modules for this class. Click on a button to get started.
Below is a list of each of the learning modules for this class. Click on a button to get started.
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