FROM MILLWRIGHTS TO MICROCHIPS: Business & Technology In American History

HIS 357 FALL 2001 University of Puget Sound

Stabilized capitalism is a contradiction in terms. --Joseph Schumpeter

Professor: Jeffrey J. Matthews Office: Room #108B, McIntyre Hall Telephone: (home) 460-7955 (office) 879-3155 E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours: MWF 8:20-8:50 am & 3:00-4:00 pm, and special appts. always available.

VISIT ME! CALL ME!

Course Purpose ▪ To examine the historical development of the American capitalist system, with special attention given to the role of technology in business and society.

Course Goals ▪ To develop an advanced understanding of issues related to business and technology in American life, especially the volatility of market systems, the decision-making process, and the phenomenon of globalization. ▪ To strengthen individual communication skills through varied writing, speaking, and listening projects. ▪ To provoke and inspire critical and creative thinking.

Course Tactics ▪ Explore major issues in U.S. commerce by analyzing and discussing historical developments, core business principles and strategies, and specific case studies, and, by conducting field research. ▪ Have A Lot Of Fun! Our “Total Involvement” Course Stratagem ▪ In Class Writing Assignments: 4-6 one-page essays that analyze reading assignments.

▪ In Class Communication*: Quality discussions on all assignments are vital to successful learning. *Come to class well prepared (well read)! Regular class attendance is mandatory for success!

▪ In Class Presentation: To promote an appreciation for company history, you are required to tour the IBM website (www.ibm.com). Unlike most corporate websites, this one devotes considerable space to the firm’s history (leaders, technological innovations, etc.). After studying the history portion of ibm.com, visit two different internet sites of well-established American companies. (YOU select the firms, then bring them to me for approval.) After examining all three firms’ treatment of historical issues, you will make a formal, professional web-based presentation to the class that compares and contrasts the value of the historical content found on all three web pages.

▪ Out of Class Term Paper: 15-25 page paper. You are to write an article on the history of a Washington state based/headquartered company. (Again you choose the company, subject to my final approval). These papers are to be multidimensional, meaning you must research and analyze your company from many different perspectives. Subtopics might include the nature of your company’s industry and competition, the importance of technology and technological changes, firm leadership/management, labor, finances and profitability, etc. You must prepare and draw upon an extensive bibliography (with descriptions) of primary and secondary sources. (We will discuss this assignment in more detail.)

▪ Mid-Term Exam: Essay questions drawing on the readings and themes from course assignments & discussions.

▪ Final Exam: Cumulative essay questions on the major themes of the course.

Grade Descriptions Grade Breakdown A Superior In Class Writing Assgns. 15% A- Excellent In Class Participation 15 B+ Very Good In Class Presentation 15 B Good Term Paper 20 B- Satisfactory Mid-Term Exam 20 C Merely Adequate Final Exam 15 D Poor Total Grade 100% F Failure Required Reading Tom Standage, The Victorian Internet (1998) Smith and Clancey, Major Problems in the History of American Technology (1998) Blackford, Mansel G. and Austin Kerr, Business Enterprise In American History (1994) Reading Packet (miscellaneous article collection)

Sample Required Viewing (film clips from….) “Pirates of Silicon Valley” “Tyrants & Plunderers,” The History Channel series Wealth & Power “Building A Modern World,” The History Channel series Wealth & Power “Innovators,” The History Channel series Wealth & Power “Celebrity,” The History Channel series Wealth & Power “Revenge of the Nerds (history of the personal computer)” “Africans in America,” (cotton engine segment) The American Experience “Andrew Carnegie,” The American Experience “Edison,” The American Experience “Hoover Dam,” The American Experience

*Always remember that class discussions, presentations, and writings are opportunities to prove that you have prepared well. Forty-percent of your grade is tied them. You must both read and study the material. You must be self-motivated in a seminar-type class. Honing your communication skills is important. You want to be understood. Also, remember that reading is not thinking. You must do both.

Course Schedule – Part I Through Mid-Term 8/27 (Mon) Intros, course outline/discussion, questionnaire 8/28 (Wed) Smith, History of Technology, Preface xiii-xv Blackford, Business Enterprise, 1-10 9/01 (Fri) Reading Packet: pp. 1-20 --“American Businessman: Industrial Innovator or Robber Baron?”

9/03 (Mon) NO CLASS—LABOR HOLIDAY 9/05 (Wed) Smith, History of Technology, 35-61. 9/07 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 13-62

9/10 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 68-102 9/12 (Wed) Reading Packet: pp. 21-32 --“John Jacob Astor” --“Cyrus McCormick” 9/14 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 65-100

9/17 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 120-42 9/19 (Wed) Reading Packet: pp. 33-47 --“Andrew Carnegie” --“J. P. Morgan” 9/21 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 103-123

9/24 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 158-89 9/26 (Wed) Reading Packet: pp. 48-61 --“John D. Rockefeller” --“Henry Ford” 9/28 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 125-165

10/1 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 203-232 10/3 (Wed) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 169-192 10/5 (Fri) Mid-Term Exam

Course Schedule – Part II Through Final 10/8 (Mon) Standage, Victorian Internet, 1-104 10/10 (Wed) IN CLASS PRESENTATIONS – GROUP A 10/12 (Fri) IN CLASS PRESENTATIONS – GROUP B ------TERM PAPER OUTLINE & Draft Bibliography DUE------

10/15 (Mon) NO CLASS—FALL BREAK 10/17 (Wed) Standage, Victorian Internet, 105-163 10/19 (Fri) Standage, Victorian Internet, 164-213

10/22 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 247-66 10/24 (Wed) Reading Packet: pp. 62-74 “David Sarnoff” and “Ray Kroc” 10/26 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 195-224 10/29 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 289-311 10/31 (Wed) Reading Packet: pp. 76-86 “Berry Gordy” and “Mary Kay Ash” 11/2 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 227-58

11/5 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 328-54 11/7 (Wed) Reading Packet: pp. 87-104 “IBM, The Nazis, & The Holocaust” 11/9 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 261-289

11/12 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 364-382 11/14 (Wed) Reading Packet: pp. 105-119 “Oprah Winfrey” and “Bill Gates” 11/16 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 291-313

11/19 (Mon) IN CLASS PRESENTATIONS – GROUP C 11/21 (Wed) IN CLASS PRESENTATIONS – GROUP D ------TERM PAPER DUE------11/23 (Fri) NO CLASS—THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

11/26 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 448-69 11/28 (Wed) Reading Packet: pp. 121-141 “Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism” 11/30 (Fri) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 315-36

12/3 (Mon) Smith, History of Technology, 473-518 12/5 (Wed) Blackford, Business Enterprise, 339-65

12/14 (Fri) FINAL EXAM 12pm-2pm