Spring 2008 IN250 Course Descriptions: American Culture, History, and Politics - Prof. W. | Exams Sociology of Religion

IN250 Course Descriptions

Spring 2008

IN250 Student Learning Goals:

1. Critically respond to texts by or about some of the diverse cultures and people living in the

United States;

2. Use discipline-appropriate sources to inform their critical analyses of diverse individuals’ or

cultures’ experiences and perspectives; and

3. Write at least one well-developed critical analysis about cultural, structural, or institutional

issues specific to the discipline of the course.

30152 IN 250 01 Rhetoric- Violence in America TR 02:00 pm-03:15 pm

W.T. Duncanson

This course takes up three topics: the way the people in the United States have understood

and rationalized war, the way we have argued with one-another about the place of violence in

our leisure, and the American discourse on violence in our homes and families.

34387 IN 250 02 Polit. Part/Democratic Citzshp MWF 10:00 am-10:50 am

30907 IN 250 03 Polit. Part/Democratic Citzshp MWF 01:00 pm-01:50 pm

Keiko Ono

Democracy presupposes an informed, engaged, and participatory public. Scholars and

observers in the United States, however, have documented the current level of political

knowledge, interest, and participation (including but not limited to voting) is not very high. Is

the low level of civic and political participation indicative of an apathetic citizenry and

therefore a cause for concern? Or is it a “rational” course of action for many citizens? What

consequences are there if the “voice” the government officials and politicians hear is unequal?

What could political elites do to mitigate the effects of such distortion in representation? As

the presidential campaign gets into high gear, this course addresses these questions and

encourages students to examine the political consequences of resources, social networks, and

mobilization.

34388 IN 250 04 Group Influence in America MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am

30912 IN 250 05 Group Influence in America MWF 11:00 am-11:50 am

Johnathon M. Wrighton

The impetus for political change multiplies dramatically as individuals from different cultural

backgrounds in the US band together in groups. This course examines the means by which

groups - organized interests and political parties - attempt to influence public policy outcomes

in the American political system. It reflects on how individuals choose to join groups and how

they express collective preferences. Additionally, this course explores the internal structures

and operations of interest groups and political parties as well as their relations with others in

the political system and emphasizes how these aspects have changed over time and with what

consequences.

30815 IN 250 06 DramLit: Drama & Rep of US MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am

Vincent A. Landro

This course examines how American drama has depicted the peoples of the United States, the

"American Experience," and the ways in which images in theatrical entertainment have been

"played out" and, to a degree, "worked out" on the country's stages and have helped to shape

our perceptions of our place in American society.

30818 IN 250 07 History of US since 1865 TR 09:30 am-10:45 am

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IN250 Course Descriptions Spring 2008 IN250 Student Learning Goals:

Critically respond to texts by or about some of the diverse cultures and people living in the United States;
Use discipline-appropriate sources to inform their critical analyses of diverse individuals’ or cultures’ experiences and perspectives; and
Write at least one well-developed critical analysis about cultural, structural, or institutional issues specific to the discipline of the course. 30152 IN 250 01 Rhetoric- Violence in America TR 02:00 pm-03:15 pm W.T. Duncanson This course takes up three topics: the way the people in the United States have understood and rationalized war, the way we have argued with one-another about the place of violence in our leisure, and the American discourse on violence in our homes and families. 34387 IN 250 02 Polit. Part/Democratic Citzshp MWF 10:00 am-10:50 am 30907 IN 250 03 Polit. Part/Democratic Citzshp MWF 01:00 pm-01:50 pm Keiko Ono Democracy presupposes an informed, engaged, and participatory public. Scholars and observers in the United States, however, have documented the current level of political knowledge, interest, and participation (including but not limited to voting) is not very high. Is the low level of civic and political participation indicative of an apathetic citizenry and therefore a cause for concern? Or is it a “rational” course of action for many citizens? What consequences are there if the “voice” the government officials and politicians hear is unequal? What could political elites do to mitigate the effects of such distortion in representation? As the presidential campaign gets into high gear, this course addresses these questions and encourages students to examine the political consequences of resources, social networks, and mobilization. 34388 IN 250 04 Group Influence in America MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am 30912 IN 250 05 Group Influence in America MWF 11:00 am-11:50 am Johnathon M. Wrighton The impetus for political change multiplies dramatically as individuals from different cultural backgrounds in the US band together in groups. This course examines the means by which groups - organized interests and political parties - attempt to influence public policy outcomes in the American political system. It reflects on how individuals choose to join groups and how they express collective preferences. Additionally, this course explores the internal structures and operations of interest groups and political parties as well as their relations with others in the political system and emphasizes how these aspects have changed over time and with what consequences. 30815 IN 250 06 DramLit: Drama & Rep of US MWF 09:00 am-09:50 am Vincent A. Landro This course examines how American drama has depicted the peoples of the United States, the "American Experience," and the ways in which images in theatrical entertainment have been "played out" and, to a degree, "worked out" on the country's stages and have helped to shape our perceptions of our place in American society. 30818 IN 250 07 History of US since 1865 TR 09:30 am-10:45 am

32079 IN 250 08 History of US since 1865 TR 12:30 pm-01:45 pm Roger D. Monroe This course will focus on the reconstruction era, frontier west, industrialization and the populist movement, America’s rise to world power, the progressive and New Deal periods, the world wars and post WWII American political, economic, social and cultural developments. 34389 IN 250 09 History of US since 1865 TR 02:00 pm-03:15 pm 30858 IN 250 10 History of US since 1865 TR 03:30 pm-04:45 pm Ellen R. Tillman This course will focus on the reconstruction era, frontier west, industrialization and the populist movement, America’s rise to world power, the progressive and New Deal periods, the world wars and post WWII American political, economic, social and cultural developments. 32707 IN 250 11 Outsiders in Literature TR 08:00 am-09:15 am Judith A. Crowe Throughout our history an ongoing dichotomy has existed between the “insider” and “outsider.” We include and exclude our fellow citizens based on what we consider condoned behavior, beliefs, and appearance, often determined by a particular time and place. In this course we will attempt to identify, examine, and question our concept of “the acceptable” based on the parameters we place on those who appear as Other, or Outsider, who are marginalized without much thought as to why such judgments are made. As basis for discussion and examination, we will look at various characters in American film and fiction, in particular one body of work. An Outsider in his craft, Johnny Depp has and continues to choose roles that are not only non-mainstream but also particularly illustrative of various Outsider identities. Yet by choosing less popular and often less desirable roles, Depp has become one of the “in”-est outsiders in his profession. His characters, among others we will look at, raise questions of who/what is marginalized and why and open up critical discussion of our values, beliefs, and judgments as we attempt an understanding of our own as well as others’ uniqueness and value. 33618 IN 250 12 Poverty & Welfare TR 09:30 am-10:45 am 33619 IN 250 13 Poverty & Welfare TR 11:00 am-12:15 pm Larry Troy Why is there poverty in the U.S.? Is it increasing or decreasing? What can be done about it? In this course we will review the facts and data about the existence and persistence of poverty in the US with special attention to race, gender, and age. Through ethnographic reading, we will also study what lives are like for people in poverty. The course will focus on the post WWII period, emphasizing the 1960s through the present time. A special focus will be on the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 and its effects. Students will read 3-4 books, take exams, and write a paper on some aspect of poverty and welfare. 33620 IN 250 14 Women in America T 06:00 pm-08:30 pm Julie E. Jones This course will study the Importance women have played throughout American history. With the use of primary and secondary sources, the class will better understand the crucial role women played establishing this country’s pivotal history. From Traditional America (1600-

to Modern America (1920-1990), students will investigate lesser-known historical figures in order to glean a more personal experience and understanding. Simply, by studying personal letters, diaries, and contemporary works, students shall realize that women have not only shaped American history, they have established a path that affects everyone in today’s society.

Spring 2008 IN250 Course Descriptions: American Culture, History, and Politics - Prof. W. , Exams of Sociology of Religion

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