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
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 (1600-1820) 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.
33982 • IN 250 • 15 • State & Local History • TR • 02:00 pm-03:15 pm
Mark W. Sorensen
State and Local History introduces students to a survey of Illinois history, concentrating on how and why things got to be the way they are today. Class sessions will consist of lectures, discussion, audio-visual presentations, student presentations and guest speakers. Emphasis is placed on students learning to locate and use documents, primary sources, government records, oral histories and text material in order to write family, community, corporate, institutional and state history. Students are expected to learn the major events in Illinois history as well as select topics for personal investigation.
33983 • IN 250 • 16 • Native Amer. Myth & Folklore • MWF • 09:00 am-09:50 am •
Sandra K. McKenna
The Native American Mythology and Folktale course offers students the opportunity to explore how the Native American worldview is expressed through storytelling. Students will learn how that worldview is markedly different from Euro-American ideas as they relate to 1) beliefs about nature and land, 2) beliefs about family, kinship and cross-generational relationships, 3) beliefs about social roles and social order, 4) beliefs about human nature and 5) beliefs about spiritual forces at work in the world. The texts the students will be using will offer them an opportunity to appreciate the way these ideas are expressed through Native myths and folktales. Not only will students have the opportunity to see how the Native stories differ from the Euro-American tradition, but will also come to appreciate tribal commonalities and differences expressed in myth and story. Students will also develop an awareness of the unique ancestral perspectives associated with oral narrative as well as an awareness of the challenges of maintaining cultural identity without a written language. They will also come to understand the ways in which oral tradition and myth are corrupted, revised, and codified as a form of conquest, which often leads to cultural hybridity or elimination. Students, both individually and in groups, will conduct their own academic inquiry into issues related to course materials.
34398 • IN 250 • 17 • Christianity in the U.S. • MWF • 10:00 am-10:50 am • Timothy M. Kovalcik
This course is an introduction to the history and culture of American Christianity. We will focus on the legacy of Christian movements, i.e. revivals, holiness movements and social reformations. We will also examine the current context of American Christianity as a subculture. Students will write exams and term papers.
34399 • IN 250 • 18 • World Religion in U.S. • TBA •
Mary Jessup
Americans are a religious people and the religious life in America is diverse. To study religion in America is to study the religions of the world. This course will explore basic information about the religions of America and how the religions impact life in the United States. Through reading and writing assignments and class activities (lectures, video reflections, guest speakers and visits to local religious sites), students will be able to express in oral and written form their understanding of major issues and intellectual theories within the discipline of the history of religion. Students will demonstrate their ability to research and analyze objectively any historical or social and cultural topic and generate an independent and original point of view. |
