2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

HI 115 U.S. AND THE WORLD: 1850 TO PRESENT

This course examines the history of the United States over two centuries and several decades between 1850 and the present. During this period, the United States played an increasing role in global affairs, particularly in regard to late 19th century imperialism and race, economic depression, world wars, and nuclear arms. This course focuses on these issues and world historical themes that shaped the country's development in the modern era, including industrialization and capitalism, immigration and population growth, race and citizenship, science and technology, urbanization and suburbanization, and the exploitation of natural resources (like the use of petroleum after 1900). By placing American History within a global context, this course encourages students to consider ideas such as US exceptionalism and the historical roots of US hegemony, as well as more generally the utility of national histories (considering instead the importance of transnational studies and perspectives). Finally, this course incorporates the study of culture, race, class, and gender in new ways, given its international lens.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

No prerequisites