History 5322-001

Now that you have read chapter 1 of Urban America in the Modern Age by Carl Abbott how would you characterize metropolitan America in the 1920s and 1930s?  What were its outstanding characteristics?  Why does Abbott think that the 1920s was “a new departure for urban America?”

Based on the lecture last Wednesday, as well as the readings, what would you say are the outstanding characteristics of urban history?  Do you buy the argument that the study of urban history is essential to understanding the history of the United States?  Why or why not?

Just a reminder that for next Wednesday’s class you are to read the first 52 pages of Urban American in A Modern Age and you are to  to write a one paragraph  précis on Carl Abbott, “Urban History for Planners” and a one paragraph précis on Clay McShane, “The State of the Art in North American Urban History.”  A précis is a concise summary of an article’s argument.  Your précis should be typed and double spaced.  For the heading use provide a full bibliographical citation.  For more guidance go to http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/MCSPELLMAN/index.cfm?subpage=109488

Welcome to the course blog–a place where I hope we continue discussions started in class, as well as a place we can start discussions that may be finished in class.  My main objective is to provide you a forum to comment on your readings although this will be used for other things as well.  I will sometimes guide your readings by posting questions on them here.  In addition, I will use this outlet post information about the class–including reminders about course assignments and meeting schedules.  You can also use this to  pose questions about your research project and communicate with others about research strategies.  For those of you who stress out about speaking in class, this gives you another way to secure class participation points.   Just remember that the entire class can read what you post, so if it is something you only want me to see send it in the email.  I look forward to working with all of you this fall.