If you're interested in the current courses I'm teaching, see the current course pages.
Classes Offered in the Past
Undergraduate Surveys
Upper Division and Non-Survey Courses
The Vietnam War: The American Experience
This course examines the American experience in the Vietnam War from 1945-1975. Building on a brief exploration of the colonial context that starts the war, the course will focus on the diplomatic and political course of the American war in Vietnam as well as the domestic consequences it wrought in the United States.
Childhood and Adolescence in Twentieth Century America
In the United States, children and adolescents occupy a distinct position apart from their adult counterparts. Many laws, policies, social institutions, and public and private structures are designed with childhood in mind with requirements and goals different than those directed toward adults. While the legal concept of childhood exists as a biologically-bounded construction, the social, political, and cultural realities surrounding childhood in the United States are more ambiguous and have evolved to match ever-changing views of Americans and their relationship to their young. This unit will examine the role of children and adolescents and their place in American society during the twentieth century. Students will explore the attitudes of adults toward youth and the corresponding reaction by children and adolescents toward their guardians. This course will place particular emphasis on examining both the private and public aspects of childhood including popular culture (movies, songs, television), private culture (family life, consumer habits, eating habits), and child- and youth-related developmental organizations (schools, extra-curriculars, structured activities).
Asian American History
This course will examine the history of Asians in the United States. Although this course will focus on Chinese and Japanese immigrants and their decedents, other minority Asian American groups will be included. This course will consider the scope, length, and breadth of Asian immigration to the United States including the “push” and “pull” factors that influenced migration. Through lectures, readings, and films, students will gain an insight into the multifaceted experiences of Americans of Asian descent including their successes, failures, legislative obstacles, and struggles against racism beginning in the 1840s until the present. This course will also examine culturally stereotyped concepts such as the “model minority” and the “sage, wise, and spiritual Asian” to better understand how those in the Asian-American community have been viewed by the dominant culture.
Japanese Civilization
This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to Japanese studies designed to help the student understand and appreciate the cultural heritage of Japan from its origin to the present. The student will survey geography, literature, artistic elements, and religious works. Focus is on the historical development of the social, political, economic, religious, military, and intellectual systems of Japan. Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to do the following: 1) Identify the major historical developments that have shaped Japanese civilization; 2) explain factors in Japan’s past that have influenced its culture today; 3) sample and become familiar with various artistic, religious, and cultural elements of Japanese society; 4) understand Japan’s historical and contemporary relationship with their Asian neighbors as well as the West, especially North America.
The American Experience Since 1945
This course is an overview of the principal social, political, economic, and global events which have shaped the American experience since World War II. Understanding modern American history is a necessity in today's ever-changing world. This course aims to supply the tools for understanding current political, social, cultural, and economic problems in the U.S. by applying a historical perspective to analyze contemporary issues.
The American Consumer From 1870 to the Present
The United States is a nation populated by consumers. The United States and its economy, culture, and political life are shaped by what the American consumer buys and will buy in the future. Immense sums of money are spent on the manufacture, promotion, regulation, and disposal of consumer goods. From the time the average American wakes up to the time they sleep they participate in the consumer process. Although American consumer habits are derided by many, it is difficult to imagine life in the United States any other way. This class seeks to explore how the United States became a nation of consumers and the ways in which consumer culture and consumerism have been embraced by the population. Students will explore the ways in which consumption has changed since the end of the Civil War and how the American economy, culture, and political process have shaped and responded to the pursuit of the “American Dream.” Students will explore the changing habits of American consumers through secondary and primary sources, literature, and film.
Cultural and Social Environment: Pacific Rim
This course examines how religious, philosophical, historical, and cultural aspects of Pacific Rim civilizations impact modern problems, processes, and outcomes. Students evaluate the growing importance and strength of China’s economy and describe the competitive advantages of the region. Topics include geography, development trends, the impact of colonialization, and prevalent Asian religions. Topics include: Culture, Histories, and Political Systems of Japan China and Taiwan, North and South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, and the Philippines; Pacific Rim Aggregate Cultural/Social Patterns and Influences; General Discussion of Indonesia and Malaysia.
Undergraduate Surveys
- African American History
- U.S. History I and II
- Western Civilizations
Upper Division and Non-Survey Courses
The Vietnam War: The American Experience
This course examines the American experience in the Vietnam War from 1945-1975. Building on a brief exploration of the colonial context that starts the war, the course will focus on the diplomatic and political course of the American war in Vietnam as well as the domestic consequences it wrought in the United States.
Childhood and Adolescence in Twentieth Century America
In the United States, children and adolescents occupy a distinct position apart from their adult counterparts. Many laws, policies, social institutions, and public and private structures are designed with childhood in mind with requirements and goals different than those directed toward adults. While the legal concept of childhood exists as a biologically-bounded construction, the social, political, and cultural realities surrounding childhood in the United States are more ambiguous and have evolved to match ever-changing views of Americans and their relationship to their young. This unit will examine the role of children and adolescents and their place in American society during the twentieth century. Students will explore the attitudes of adults toward youth and the corresponding reaction by children and adolescents toward their guardians. This course will place particular emphasis on examining both the private and public aspects of childhood including popular culture (movies, songs, television), private culture (family life, consumer habits, eating habits), and child- and youth-related developmental organizations (schools, extra-curriculars, structured activities).
Asian American History
This course will examine the history of Asians in the United States. Although this course will focus on Chinese and Japanese immigrants and their decedents, other minority Asian American groups will be included. This course will consider the scope, length, and breadth of Asian immigration to the United States including the “push” and “pull” factors that influenced migration. Through lectures, readings, and films, students will gain an insight into the multifaceted experiences of Americans of Asian descent including their successes, failures, legislative obstacles, and struggles against racism beginning in the 1840s until the present. This course will also examine culturally stereotyped concepts such as the “model minority” and the “sage, wise, and spiritual Asian” to better understand how those in the Asian-American community have been viewed by the dominant culture.
Japanese Civilization
This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to Japanese studies designed to help the student understand and appreciate the cultural heritage of Japan from its origin to the present. The student will survey geography, literature, artistic elements, and religious works. Focus is on the historical development of the social, political, economic, religious, military, and intellectual systems of Japan. Upon completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to do the following: 1) Identify the major historical developments that have shaped Japanese civilization; 2) explain factors in Japan’s past that have influenced its culture today; 3) sample and become familiar with various artistic, religious, and cultural elements of Japanese society; 4) understand Japan’s historical and contemporary relationship with their Asian neighbors as well as the West, especially North America.
The American Experience Since 1945
This course is an overview of the principal social, political, economic, and global events which have shaped the American experience since World War II. Understanding modern American history is a necessity in today's ever-changing world. This course aims to supply the tools for understanding current political, social, cultural, and economic problems in the U.S. by applying a historical perspective to analyze contemporary issues.
The American Consumer From 1870 to the Present
The United States is a nation populated by consumers. The United States and its economy, culture, and political life are shaped by what the American consumer buys and will buy in the future. Immense sums of money are spent on the manufacture, promotion, regulation, and disposal of consumer goods. From the time the average American wakes up to the time they sleep they participate in the consumer process. Although American consumer habits are derided by many, it is difficult to imagine life in the United States any other way. This class seeks to explore how the United States became a nation of consumers and the ways in which consumer culture and consumerism have been embraced by the population. Students will explore the ways in which consumption has changed since the end of the Civil War and how the American economy, culture, and political process have shaped and responded to the pursuit of the “American Dream.” Students will explore the changing habits of American consumers through secondary and primary sources, literature, and film.
Cultural and Social Environment: Pacific Rim
This course examines how religious, philosophical, historical, and cultural aspects of Pacific Rim civilizations impact modern problems, processes, and outcomes. Students evaluate the growing importance and strength of China’s economy and describe the competitive advantages of the region. Topics include geography, development trends, the impact of colonialization, and prevalent Asian religions. Topics include: Culture, Histories, and Political Systems of Japan China and Taiwan, North and South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, and the Philippines; Pacific Rim Aggregate Cultural/Social Patterns and Influences; General Discussion of Indonesia and Malaysia.
Men, Maleness, Manhood, and Masculinity in America
Men historically comprised roughly half of the American population, but who were they, really? Praised at times and reviled at others, underrepresented in various areas and overrepresented in others, and viewed as both understandably primitive and incomprehensibly complex, definitions of men have been bewilderingly difficult to pen. However, by studying the history of men in the United States, some trends, habits, and constructions become apparent, and can help us understand their place in American culture and society. This class will look at men and the ways that they fit into society and affected the culture, ideals, and social makeup of society. Approximately one third of the class will focus on masculinity before 1900 while the remainder will cover the twentieth and twenty first centuries. Students will learn about men and their place in the family, sports, professions, war, education, politics, and the media. Also, students will learn about the development of socially-defined concepts such as manhood, maleness, and masculinity.
Men historically comprised roughly half of the American population, but who were they, really? Praised at times and reviled at others, underrepresented in various areas and overrepresented in others, and viewed as both understandably primitive and incomprehensibly complex, definitions of men have been bewilderingly difficult to pen. However, by studying the history of men in the United States, some trends, habits, and constructions become apparent, and can help us understand their place in American culture and society. This class will look at men and the ways that they fit into society and affected the culture, ideals, and social makeup of society. Approximately one third of the class will focus on masculinity before 1900 while the remainder will cover the twentieth and twenty first centuries. Students will learn about men and their place in the family, sports, professions, war, education, politics, and the media. Also, students will learn about the development of socially-defined concepts such as manhood, maleness, and masculinity.
History of Modern American Education
This course is designed to introduce selected readings and topics in the history of modern education. Through these readings, we will examine various goals of education. We will reflect on the ways in which they have been incorporated into curriculum and institutions. We will look at the intersection of sociological views of education. These include views that empower educational institutions with the ability to significantly change society contrasted with views that point to the necessity of creating societal changes first.
This course is designed to introduce selected readings and topics in the history of modern education. Through these readings, we will examine various goals of education. We will reflect on the ways in which they have been incorporated into curriculum and institutions. We will look at the intersection of sociological views of education. These include views that empower educational institutions with the ability to significantly change society contrasted with views that point to the necessity of creating societal changes first.