United States History: Reconstruction to Present
Embark on a raucous journey through American history, reimagined as a wild rollercoaster rather than a staid lecture. The nation's birth becomes a rowdy fling between ideology and rebellion, with Founding Fathers chugging ale and tossing insults like frat boys at a kegger. Territorial expansion is a drunken stumble across the continent, fueled by manifest destiny and Lewis and Clark as the original influencers, documenting their cross-country road trip on Instagram.
This isn't your typical history class; it's an interactive experience where students become past detectives, dissecting artifacts like Sherlock Holmes on a caffeine bender. Primary sources aren't dry papers; they're smoking guns in a thrilling detective novel, revealing the secrets of centuries past. Pivotal moments unfold like an immersive novel with twists and turns, from the heavy metal concert of progress during the Industrial Revolution to the never-ending music festival of race relations. The Cold War was not a geopolitical standoff but a high-stakes poker game where the world held its breath. In this rollercoaster through American history, triumphs and struggles are not a checklist but a wild, non-linear journey through roaring highs and gut-wrenching lows. So, gear up, fellow time-travelers, for the most incredible show on Earth – the unfolding, chaotic narrative of a nation that's been both hero and hell-raiser.
Need a quick refresher on history? British rapper and songwriter Dan Bull has you covered:
Embark on a raucous journey through American history, reimagined as a wild rollercoaster rather than a staid lecture. The nation's birth becomes a rowdy fling between ideology and rebellion, with Founding Fathers chugging ale and tossing insults like frat boys at a kegger. Territorial expansion is a drunken stumble across the continent, fueled by manifest destiny and Lewis and Clark as the original influencers, documenting their cross-country road trip on Instagram.
This isn't your typical history class; it's an interactive experience where students become past detectives, dissecting artifacts like Sherlock Holmes on a caffeine bender. Primary sources aren't dry papers; they're smoking guns in a thrilling detective novel, revealing the secrets of centuries past. Pivotal moments unfold like an immersive novel with twists and turns, from the heavy metal concert of progress during the Industrial Revolution to the never-ending music festival of race relations. The Cold War was not a geopolitical standoff but a high-stakes poker game where the world held its breath. In this rollercoaster through American history, triumphs and struggles are not a checklist but a wild, non-linear journey through roaring highs and gut-wrenching lows. So, gear up, fellow time-travelers, for the most incredible show on Earth – the unfolding, chaotic narrative of a nation that's been both hero and hell-raiser.
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:
Carnes, Mark C., and John A. Garraty. American Destiny: Narrative of a Nation. 4th ed. Vol. 1.: Pearson, 2011.
All other assigned texts will be provided to you through the learning modules or via links.
Mark C. Carnes and John A. Garraty are respected historians who have made notable contributions to American history. First, we've got Carnes - this guy's a real maverick when it comes to studying the good ol' US of A. He's all about the secret societies that helped shape our culture in the 1800s. You know, the ones that operated behind closed doors had their fingers in all sorts of pies. Carnes is the man who can unravel those mysteries and give us a glimpse into the underbelly of American culture. We've also got Garraty in the mix. This guy's no slouch either - he's known for taking a big-picture view of American history and bringing it to life with his engaging writing style. Whether profiling famous figures from our past or digging deep into a particular aspect of our nation's history, Garraty always keeps it accurate and accessible. You don't need a Ph.D. to understand what he's saying, and that's why he's a true heavyweight in the field.
Carnes, Mark C., and John A. Garraty. American Destiny: Narrative of a Nation. 4th ed. Vol. 1.: Pearson, 2011.
All other assigned texts will be provided to you through the learning modules or via links.
Mark C. Carnes and John A. Garraty are respected historians who have made notable contributions to American history. First, we've got Carnes - this guy's a real maverick when it comes to studying the good ol' US of A. He's all about the secret societies that helped shape our culture in the 1800s. You know, the ones that operated behind closed doors had their fingers in all sorts of pies. Carnes is the man who can unravel those mysteries and give us a glimpse into the underbelly of American culture. We've also got Garraty in the mix. This guy's no slouch either - he's known for taking a big-picture view of American history and bringing it to life with his engaging writing style. Whether profiling famous figures from our past or digging deep into a particular aspect of our nation's history, Garraty always keeps it accurate and accessible. You don't need a Ph.D. to understand what he's saying, and that's why he's a true heavyweight in the field.
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.
- (Disclaimer: This is not professional or legal advice. If it were, the article would be followed with an invoice. Do not expect to win any social media arguments by hyperlinking my articles. Chances are, we are both wrong).
- (Trigger Warning: This article or section, or pages it links to, contains antiquated language or disturbing images which may be triggering to some.)
- (Permission to reprint this blog post in whole or in part is granted, provided that the author (or authors) and www.ryanglancaster.com are appropriately cited.)
- This site is for educational purposes only.
- Disclaimer: This learning module was primarily created by the professor with the assistance of AI technology. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, please note that the AI's contribution was limited to some regions of the module. The professor takes full responsibility for the content of this module and any errors or omissions therein. This module is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice or consultation. The professor and AI cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from using this module.
- Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
- Fair Use Definition: Fair use is a doctrine in United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching, or scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author’s work under a four-factor balancing test.