Immigrants, Minorities, and American Pluralism

HSTA 391: The History of Now Professor Jeff Wiltse LA 251 / [email protected] Office hours: M: 9:30-10:30, F: 1:30-2:30, or by appointment

Course Description and Learning Objectives

The History of Now is a course in applied history in which students will research the history of significant current events. Students will first learn how historical scholarship has been used to inform public understanding of contemporary issues and problems. They will then study a current issue or problem that interests them using newspapers, periodicals, online journalism, and government/NGO reports. After developing a sophisticated understanding of the contemporary dimensions of their topic, students will then research its history using both primary and secondary sources. Based on this research, students will author a report that interprets the relevant history of their topic, explains how the issue or problem came to be as it is today, and assesses how history should be used to inform people’s understanding of it and how history might be used to help devise solutions or influence decision making. The primary learning objectives for this course are:  Encourage students to think critically about how past events, decisions, choices, and policies have shaped our present circumstances  Teach students to use their historical knowledge and research skills to develop a better understanding of the contemporary world and to formulate solutions for current problems and predicaments  Develop students’ ability to conduct historical research relevant to current events  Develop students’ ability to think critically and write and speak clearly

Readings

Margaret MacMillan, Dangerous Games: The Uses and Abuses of History

All other course readings are available on the Internet or as pdf files on the course Moodle page. The pdf files on the course Moodle page are identified by an “(x)” in the course schedule below.

Course Requirements and Grading

You must come to class, carefully study the assigned readings, actively participate in class discussions, and complete all required assignments. The required assignments are:  Potential Topics Report due September 18 (2 to 3 pages)  Contemporary Research Report due October 2 (4 to 5 pages)  Final Project Progress Report due November 1 (2 to 3 pages)  Final Project Presentation on either December 4, 6, or 11  Final Project Report due *December 18 @1:10 pm (10 pages) To hold you accountable for the readings, I will quiz you on the assigned book and articles. The quizzes cannot be made up. 2

Your final grade will be the weighted average of your individual grades for the term. Final letter grades are figured at 90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D. The dividing line for minuses is _3%; the dividing line for pluses is _7%. Your grades will be weighted as follows:

Potential Topics Report 10 percent Contemporary Research Report 15 percent Final Project Progress Report 10 percent Final Project Report & Presentation 40 percent Quizzes 10 percent Class Participation 15 percent

*Attendance is required. If you have more than three unexcused absences during the semester, you will receive an F for class participation. Absences are excused for documented medical emergencies, documented family emergencies, and participation in required UM activities.

Academic Honesty

Neither plagiarism nor any form of cheating will be tolerated. The work you submit in this course must be your own. When you draw from the words and thoughts of others, acknowledge it in footnotes or a bibliographic reference. Plagiarism or cheating will result in a failing grade for the course.

DSS Accommodation

If you have a documented learning disability, please contact me so we can ensure you have suitable accommodation.

Drop Deadlines

The last day to drop this course using Cyberbear is September 21. The last day to drop with instructor and advisor signature is November 2. A WP or WF will appear on your transcript for courses dropped after this date. December 12 is the last day to drop by petition.

Course Schedule

Mon, Sep. 4: No class (Labor Day)

Wed, Sep. 6: Course Introduction

Assignment: Begin work on Potential Topics Report

Mon. Sep. 11: What is Applied History?

Read: (x) Graham Allison and Niall Ferguson, “Establish a White House Council of Historical Advisers Now” (November 2016). 3

Francis J. Gavin, “Thinking Historically: A Guide for Strategy and Statecraft,” War on the Rocks (November 17, 2016).

Wed, Sep. 13: Examples of Applied History

Read: George J. Borjas, “The Case for Extreme Immigrant Vetting,” Politico (August 17, 2016). (x) Jeff Wiltse, “The Black-White Swimming Disparity in America: A Deadly Legacy of Swimming Pool Discrimination,” Journal of Sport and Social Issues (2014). W. Fitzhugh Brundage, “I’ve studied the history of Confederate memorials. Here’s what to do about them,” Vox (August 18, 2017).

Mon, Sep. 18: Present Potential Topics Report Potential Topics Report Due

Assignment: Begin work on Contemporary Research Report

Wed, Sep. 20: Research Contemporary Dimensions of Chosen Topic

Mon, Sep. 25: Research Contemporary Dimensions of Chosen Topic

Wed, Sep. 27: Organize Presentations and Assign Class Readings

Mon, Oct. 2: Theme #1 Discussion Contemporary Research Reports Due

Read: TBD

Wed, Oct. 4: Theme #2 Discussion

Read: TBD

Mon, Oct. 9: Theme #3 Discussion

Read: TBD

Wed, Oct. 11: Historical Research Tutorial

Assignment: Begin work on Final Project Report

Mon, Oct. 16: Individual Meetings with Professor Wiltse

Wed, Oct. 18: Individual Meetings with Professor Wiltse

Mon, Oct. 23: Uses and Abuses of History I 4

Read: MacMillan, Dangerous Games, 15-78, 93-109.

Wed, Oct. 25: Uses and Abuses of History II

Read: MacMillan, Dangerous Games, 113-170.

Mon, Oct. 30: Revisiting Applied History: Asking the Right Questions about the Past