HIST 155
(GH;US)
American Business History (3) Major developments in the history of business and industry from the colonial period to the present.
HIST 155 American Business History (3)
(GH;US)
(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
History 155 surveys the development of business and industry within the United States, from the colonial period to the present. It treats the conduct of business as an integral element of American society and culture. Topics to be discussed will include the colonial commitment to commerce and early debates over what kind of commercialism the new national government should encourage; the effects of new technologies like the cotton gin, canals, and railroads in the 1800s and electrical products, cars, and computers in the 1900s; the emergence of modern large-scale industrial production and changes it brought about in business management, in society, and in politics; the changing fortunes and corporate citizenship; changing ideas about what kind of relationships should exist among governments, citizens, and businesses; the importance of world events for American businesses; and the emergence and importance of mass-market consumer products since the First World War.
Materials we will use to cover this comparatively complex set of interrelationships will include textbook, supplementary studies of individuals or particular businesses, and current media coverage of the business world. The course is fast-paced and relies on students self-discipline and analytical skills. Student performance will be evaluated on two essay exams, a class presentation, group discussions, and in-class quizzes, and evaluation will be based on the instructors assessment of the students performance in reading and writing critically and knowledgeably on particular subjects, marshaling evidence in support of coherent arguments, and participating in class discussions and presentations.
History 155 may complement, but does not compete with, courses offered by other departments or programs. It will be useful for students intending to major in business programs, in Labor and Industrial Relations, and/or to participate in the business world, by deepening their historical knowledge of that world, and will complement the Business/Liberal Arts minor. It will complement History 020 and 021 as well as more advance courses in American history. History 155 will be accepted, but is not required, for the history major and minor. It may be used to fulfill either General Education or Bachelor of Arts requirements in the Humanities for those not majoring in History. HIST 155 will be offered once a year with 45 seats per offering.
Note : Class size, frequency of offering, and evaluation methods will vary by location and instructor. For these details check the specific course syllabus.