Reasoning & Writing in the College
CAS 105/105E

Summer 2007

Each section description is based on the general CAS 105/105E course description developed by the Interdisciplinary College Writing Commiteee.

Reform Movements in US History
Shane Butterfield, Department of History
MWR 10:00 - 1:00 pm CRN 10548
RRL G108A

Because of the American tradition of free thought and action, achieving lasting national agreement has been a rare occurrence in US history. As a consequence of such frequent division, debates about fundamental human goals and the special movements created to pursue them have been common and have influenced America in profound ways. Among the crucial issues addressed in such reformers’ writings are the quest for national and individual freedom, the importance of personal spiritualism in an industrial, modern world, and the search for gender and racial equality in a free society.  Using writings such as Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, Lydia Marie Child’s What is Beauty?, and the Seneca Falls Declaration of Women’s Rights—and writing of our own—we will investigate vital debates and efforts at reform, constructing arguments and sharing insights about these goals and movements, and work to convey ideas effectively in our writing.  Through classroom discussion, the drafting of short essays, revision, self-assessment, peer feedback, and an 8-10 page final argumentative research paper, students will gain experience in making inferences and presenting arguments in writing about the character of historical debates.

Last Modified: Friday, 24-May-2013 09:50:32 EDT