Section 1: Meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 am until 11:50 in 134 Hawthorn.
Syllabus for Section 1 MWF at Noon
Section 2: Meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2pm until 2:50 in 254 Hawthorn.
Syllabus for Section 2 MWF at 2pm
Future offerings: To be announced
The name of this course is "American Road Trip: 1877 Until Yesterday Afternoon,"
even while the Official Name of this course is "Survey of American History Since 1877." But that's boring.
We will be reading and learning about people who "hit the road" and wrote about their journeys. That's why this course is so cool! Yes, there will be a textbook. Yes there will be exams. Yes there will be a term paper project. Yes, attendance is required. Still, no trail is worthwhile unless it actually goes some place! And where will we be going? Good question. We do history so we can explain why things are the way they are today. So we will be studying this part of American History for the same reason. I promise that you will discover an amazing and worthwhile trail. And of all parts of American History, THIS part is where you find most of the explanation of why the US is the way it is today.
Amazingly, the events studied in this course will begin and end right here, in Altoona Pennsylvania. Be sure to attend the first lecture, an introduction to "Andra," a young man living in Altoona and an immigrant from Scotland, who faced a big challenge on April 19, 1861. The US President needed to get Federal forces into Washington D.C. Lincoln needs these soldiers urgently, before rebel leaders realize that the Capitol (in the nation's Capital) is vulnerable and without defense. Five days after the Battle of Fort Sumter, the Civil War might be over before it really begins! At this desperate time the pro-southern city government of Baltimore destroys the only rail lines into Washington D.C., preventing Federal forces from defending the national seat of government. Andra, who works for the Pennsylvania Railroad, swings into action and helps to save the day.
At this point you should be asking yourself, "I wonder whatever happened to Andra?" Come to class and you will find out!
In a similar way, this class will end with a focus on what is going on right here at the Altoona Campus of Penn State University. Yes, "WE ARE..." the focus of this course because what we will be attempting to explain is the cultural and ethnic composition of your class. You should also be asking yourself, "How did THIS America come about?" Who are the founders of THIS nation, the one that exists today? Indeed, those are the questions.
So get out your best hiking shoes (or at least double knot your Chucks!)
Sometimes the path gets a little tough and rocky! So let's stick together and hit the road!
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