Approaches to History (393-0-20)
Topic
American Vigilante
Instructors
Kathleen C Belew
847/467-2305
Harris Hall 242
Meeting Info
Annenberg Hall G30: Mon, Wed 3:30PM - 4:50PM
Overview of class
From the Regulators to Rambo, the vigilante has played a leading role in the history and culture of the United States. This seminar traces a long history of the American vigilante as a character, as well as episodes of vigilante violence from early America to the present. We will focus on the questions central to this history: What is the relationship between the vigilante and the state? Where can we draw distinctions between vigilantism, terrorism, and rebellion? How has the vigilante contributed to nation-building? We will also explore the predominance of the vigilante in popular culture, focusing on figures such as Jesse James, Dirty Harry, Machete, the Punisher, superheroes, the movies of John Wayne, and the lyrics of Toby Keith. Students will write substantial final papers based on primary sources that explore one element of this discussion.
Registration Requirements
Juniors and Seniors only.
Learning Objectives
Course Objectives 1. To develop a working knowledge of U.S. History and its broad themes 2. To develop seminar skills (critical engagement, expressing ideas verbally, defending or deconstructing an argument) 3. To close-read (analyze and evaluate) a wide variety of primary sources 4. To master historical methods, creative archival approaches, and independent research skills 5. To learn the craft of writing a clearly argued final paper that demonstrates both an original argument and an understanding of the historical questions at the center of this course 6. To sustain a culture of scholarship
Evaluation Method
Participation: 20%; Trading cards: 20%; Assignments: 20%; Paper : 40%
Class Materials (Required)
Materials will be available on Canvas.
Class Attributes
Advanced Expression
Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Only History majors and minors can currently enroll in this class.