The Theory of Ghosts
History 333: Labor in America
Winter 2013
Instructor: Dr. Michael B. Kassel
Office: 285 UPav
Phone: 766-6773 email: mkassel@umflint.edu
Course Description
The study of labor is obviously important to those of us who live in a town like Flint, Michigan, but, when we broaden the definition to include the overall history of working people we find how important the story of labor is to all Americans. While this course will certainly focus on organized labor, it will also look at the history of work and workers from Colonial times to present day. This course, which is a combined lecture/discussion class, will also focus on the role ethnicity, race and gender have played in this history of American labor.
Required Reading
Boris and Lichtenstein, Major Problems in the History of American Workers
Upton Sinclair, The Flivver King
Zinn, Frank, and Kelley, Three Strikes
-plus material on library reserve and online course companion
Evaluation & Grading
This course will consist of both lecture and discussion, which will be based heavily on the assigned readings. Your work in this class will be evaluated based on your participation in class discussion, three highly-target take home essays, and the presentation of a book report, to be presented to the class on an assigned day. Total class points are 500, distributed as follows:
Class Participation: 140 points (10 points per week)
Take Home Essays: 300 points (100 points each)
Book Presentation: 60 points
Total Points 500 points
Evaluation Details
Essays: Five to seven (5-7) pages, typed, double-spaced, using 12-point Times New Roman font or equivalent. Each essay should follow formal essay guidelines, using third person voice and avoiding contractions. Direct quotes and paraphrased material must be cited using Turabian/Chicago style footnotes or MLA style (your choice). While you must cite material from readings, you do not need to cite material from our lecture
Winter 2013
Instructor: Dr. Michael B. Kassel
Office: 285 UPav
Phone: 766-6773 email: mkassel@umflint.edu
Course Description
The study of labor is obviously important to those of us who live in a town like Flint, Michigan, but, when we broaden the definition to include the overall history of working people we find how important the story of labor is to all Americans. While this course will certainly focus on organized labor, it will also look at the history of work and workers from Colonial times to present day. This course, which is a combined lecture/discussion class, will also focus on the role ethnicity, race and gender have played in this history of American labor.
Required Reading
Boris and Lichtenstein, Major Problems in the History of American Workers
Upton Sinclair, The Flivver King
Zinn, Frank, and Kelley, Three Strikes
-plus material on library reserve and online course companion
Evaluation & Grading
This course will consist of both lecture and discussion, which will be based heavily on the assigned readings. Your work in this class will be evaluated based on your participation in class discussion, three highly-target take home essays, and the presentation of a book report, to be presented to the class on an assigned day. Total class points are 500, distributed as follows:
Class Participation: 140 points (10 points per week)
Take Home Essays: 300 points (100 points each)
Book Presentation: 60 points
Total Points 500 points
Evaluation Details
Essays: Five to seven (5-7) pages, typed, double-spaced, using 12-point Times New Roman font or equivalent. Each essay should follow formal essay guidelines, using third person voice and avoiding contractions. Direct quotes and paraphrased material must be cited using Turabian/Chicago style footnotes or MLA style (your choice). While you must cite material from readings, you do not need to cite material from our lecture