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.

  • Signature assignment
  • Discussions
  • Exams

Principles: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of republicanism, democracy, due process of law, equal protection, inalienable rights, and civil rights.

  • Discussions
  • Exams

Form of Government: Students will come to understand the workings of government at the national, state and local levels.

  • Discussions
  • Exams
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.
  • Discussions
  • Exams

Activities in support of learning

 Reading:

 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:

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.

90% = A

80% = B

70% = C