Econ 1740 syllabus
This course is part of the WSU General Education program, the purpose of which is to provide students with foundational knowledge and intellectual tools that enhance and transcend their chosen academic program of study. General education courses introduce students to academic disciplines through important “big questions” (BQ). At their core, “big questions” provide students the opportunity to integrate and apply their knowledge of the discipline to address a significant personal, social, or professional issue. You are enrolled in the WSU General Education course “Econ 1740: American Economic History” which is designed to tackle the following big question (BQ): Using what you have learned in the this course, comment on the recent article in Bloomberg: "How Utah Keeps the American Dream Alive,"2017
Please -- no electronic devices in class. This class is a Walden Zone!Links to an external site. -- a room or office that contains no electronic technology, particularly devices with Internet connections.
Go to Modules
Learning Objectives
Utah State Code requires that: " a student shall demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States prior to receiving a bachelor's degree or teaching credential." Successful completion of this course will satisfy this American Institutions requirement.
Learning Goals | Assessments |
History: Students will demonstrate the applicability of the study of history to the analysis of present-day economic events. |
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Principles: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of republicanism, democracy, due process of law, equal protection, inalienable rights, and civil rights. |
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Form of Government: Students will come to understand the workings of government at the national, state and local levels. |
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Economic System: Students will demonstrate the applicability of the study of economics to the understanding of historical events. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the transformation of the U.S. from an agrarian-based to an industrial-based to an information-based economy and the consequences of those transformations on various groups of people in the U.S. |
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Activities in support of learning
Reading:
- A New Economic View of American History, Atack and Passell
- You might find helpful this glossary (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. in addition to the one in the Atack and Passell text.
- Another glossary is avaialble from Meauring Worth (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
- How the Other Half Lives, Riis
- additional texts
- A national newspaper:
- either the Wall Street Journal which offers a student discount of $1 per week: https://store.wsj.com/v2/shop/US/US/wsjstudentsummer18?trackingCode=aaqro03d&cid=WSJ_SCH_GOO_ACQ_NA&ef_id=W0oyBwAAAGKkYAIT:20180730152536:s (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
- or The New York Times:
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All faculty, staff, and students can read the paper every day in a range of different e-formats, search through various series (articles on psychology, philosophy, "room for debate," etc), go to Times Topics (research resources), check out multimedia (photos, video), sign up for Topic newsletters, and so on.
To Activate Your Access: https://myaccount.nytimes.com/auth/login?EXIT_URI=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Use your Weber State email address to set up an account.
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Speaking:
- Small group discussions
- Questions and comments always welcome and will be solicited.
- Brief oral in-class reports (not graded)
Writing:
- in-class "free writes" (not graded)
- Essay exams (topics will be posted) (30 points each)
- Signature Assignment - 2-3 page paper in answer to the Big Question: Using what you have learned in the this course, comment on the recent article in Bloomberg: "How Utah Keeps the American Dream Alive," 2017
Assessment of Learning
In order to assess how you are achieving the learning goals, you will need to take:
- NYT/WSJ reading quizzes. In-class quizzes. (5 points each) Times and topics announced in class.
- 3 Essay exams. You will be informed of the essay questions before the exam. (You might find helpful: How to Take an Essay Exam. Links to an external site. (30 points each) These exams will be taken at the WSU testing centers.Links to an external site. They give out the last test one hour before closing. The testing centers are "No Cell Phone Zones."
There is NO midterm exam or final exam! ANY EVIDENCE OF CHEATING ON THE EXAMS WILL BE DEALT WITH TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED UNDER THE STUDENT CODE. Links to an external site.
Grades:
A percentage of points possible, not based "on the curve." You must pass this class with a "C" or better to receive credit for fulfilling the American Institutions requirement.
- Signature Assignment = 10 points
- 3 exams = 50 points each = 150 points
- Posted discussion: = 20 points
- How the Other Half Lives
- You will assess your own learning in a Midterm Reflection (5 points) and a final Participation Statement = 30 points each
90% = A
80% = B
70% = C