HUM 306 A People’s History of Chicago

This course is an interdisciplinary study of the history and culture of Chicago, from the First Nations to present day. Using a topical rather than chronological approach, "A People’s History of Chicago" blends social and cultural history with analysis of art, architecture, and literature. Students will consider the history of Chicago through the experiences of ordinary people of all races and backgrounds who lived and worked there. How did Chicago go from a minor outpost on the frontier of the young United States to a major metropolis? What social and cultural conditions inspired Chicago’s great artists, writers, and activists, and how did those individuals drive the events that define the city’s past? What made Chicago into a cradle of progressivism, home to racial and social justice movements that have inspired the nation and the world? These questions and many others will inform our study of the "City of Big Shoulders." Pre-requisite(s): ENG 101 or equivalent, HIS 103 or equivalent; or with approval by the Department Chair. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

Distribution

GenEd-Humanities