This course examines different forms of artistic expression in the U.S. since World War II. Attention is given to changing aesthetic styles and technological developments, as well as the role of the culture as an expression of American identity at home and abroad.
Texts
Tim O’Brien, The Things They Carried: A Work of Fiction (New York: Broadway Books, 1998), ordered from the Concordia Bookstore
All other required weekly readings are available online, linked from this website.
The following reference works are on reserve at the Webster Library Circulation Desk: Boyer, Promises to Keep; Chafe, The Unfinished Journey; Griffith, ed., Major Problems in American History Since 1945.
Assignments and Grading
Successful completion of the course depends, most basically, on regular attendance in class, evidence of preparation and application, active participation in class discussions based on close readings of the required texts, and completion of all exercises and assignments on time.
- Paper Proposal, due Oct. 13 – 15%
- Cultural Object Short Paper – 15%
- Cultural Object Presentation – 15%
- Book Review, due Dec. 6 – 15%
- Final Paper, due Dec. 13 – 40%
Participation
Success in this class depends upon attendance at lecture and participation in any discussion provoked by the lecture and/or readings in class. You will not be able to complete your assignments if you don’t regularly come to class.
Deadlines
The penalty for late papers and projects will be 5% of the grade per day. No extensions will be granted except in cases of a documented emergency.
Policies and Procedures
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is an affront to me and to your peers. Plagiarism is submitting work that is not your own as if it were yours. This includes copying material, even a few sentences, from published or unpublished sources, from the internet, or from another student without citing the source. It also includes presenting another person’s ideas or paraphrasing the work of another person without citing the source. Plagiarism also includes handing in bought papers, papers obtained from free essay websites, or having another person write your paper for you. Anyone suspected of copying other people’s work without clear acknowledgement, or of any comparable act, will be reported to the Faculty of Arts and Science for plagiarism.
Syllabus: I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus during the year if/as necessary. Please check the online syllabus before every class.
SHAC Announcement
Students of History at Concordia (SHAC) is a member association of the Arts and Science Faculty devoted to the social and academic life of students in the history department. SHAC represents all history majors, minors, specializations and students taking a history class as an elective. We organize social and academic events and publish the undergraduate journal Historiae. For information on getting help, getting published or upcoming events check out our webpage http://www.shaconline.wordpress.com, join the Facebook group or stop by during our office hours to say hi and get some free coffee in LB 620-2 (in order to be sustainable please bring your own mug). If you have any questions we can be reached by email at SHAC@asfa.ca. Have a great semester.