Syllabus

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 1 session / week, 3 hours / session

Course Overview

Using the American Civil War as a baseline, considers what it means to become "modern" by exploring the war's material and manpower needs, associated key technologies, and how both influenced the United States' entrance into the age of "Big Business." Readings include material on steam transportation, telegraphic communications, arms production, naval innovation, food processing, medicine, public health, management methods, and the mass production of everything from underwear to uniforms—all essential ingredients of modernity. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.

Prerequisites

None.

Course Requirements

ACTIVITIES PERCENTAGES
Reflection papers 40%
Final paper 50%
Class participation 10%