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Academic Year 2000/2001

American Labor History Since the 1890s
HIST 243 FA
Crosslistings:
AMST 223

Class, class conflict and working-class life are seldom discussed in the United States. We will begin by asking why that is so and then explore topics such as the lives of immigrant laborers, in particular, Slavic immigrants, in early 20th century and Chinese immigrants in New York in recent years; the AFL and the CIO, their nature and evolution; the relationships between middle-class reformers and labor; the restructuring of work in factories and offices; the relationship of socialism and, later, communism to labor; the lives of black workers, with special attention to the World War I migration from south to north and life in northern cities during and after the Second World War; working-class standards of living; the evolution of women's work; an d business attitudes toward organized labor.

MAJOR READINGS

American Social History Project, WHO BUILT AMERICA? vol.2 (1992). Thomas Bell, OUT OF THIS FURNACE (1941). Nelson Lichtenstein, THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: WALTER REUTHER AND THE FALL OF AMERICAN LABOR (1995). Peter Kwong, THE NEW CHINATOWN (1987). Connie Porter, ALL-BRIGHT COURT (1987). Toni Gilpin, et al., ON STRIKE FOR RESPECT: THE YALE STRIKE OF 1984-85.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three essays (5-7 pp each), and one-page assignments.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Previous work in 20th-century history, if not U.S. history then the history of other lands, labor economics, economic history, or introductory classes in government or sociology are strongly recommended. I would very much like to have students with experience outside of school. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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