ECON 20 - Economic History of the U.S.

Transfer Status

CSU/UC

Unit(s)

3.00

• Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course studies the origin and development of the American Economy from colonial times to the present. It is a study of changes in and the development of land, labor, capital and entrepreneurship over time. It includes the basis for industrial growth, land and resource use, the transportation revolution, the development of money and banking machinery, changing trade patterns, the rise of organized labor, and the economic growth of government.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe and evaluate the development of land, labor, capital and entrepreneurship from colonial time to the present.
2. Analyze how each of the factors of production contributed to the growth and prosperity of the American economy.
3. Analyze the role that slavery played in the American society from an economic perspective.
4. Explain the contributions of key innovators and their contribution to technology and growth.
5. Explain how various institutions; e.g., the Federal Reserve Bank, labor unions, the banking sector and the federal government influenced the development of the American economy.
6. Identify and analyze the factors that contributed to the Great Depression.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

1. Collaborative Group Work
2. Discussion
3. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
4. Multimedia Presentations
5. Problem-Solving Sessions
6. Internet applications and simulations
   Student research presentations
   In-class debates
   Guest lectures and presentations

1. Exams/Tests
2. Portfolios
3. Oral Presentation
4. Written Assignments
5. Essays and research papers
6. Class Discussion
7. Debates/discussions

Reading Assignments

1. Read the chapter reviewing the colonial period from 1607-1783 and take online quiz.
2. Read book excerpt titled, "Sixteen-Page Economic History of the World," from “A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World,” by Gregory Clark. Take notes while reading and bring to class for in-class quiz.

Writing Assignments

1. Write a 1000-word minimum paper in MLA format discussing a feature film of your choosing. Your paper should consider whether events in the film demonstrate Bernstein’s “Formula for Economic Progress” are being realized and what impact, positive or negative, that is having upon the economy shown in the film.
2. Using copy of U.S. Constitution, identify and explain two examples in Articles I and II that correspond to William Bernstein's "Formula for Economic Progress."

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Explain the meaning of the “Great Divergence” taking time to explore its repercussions in the modern world. Identify what allowed some countries to grow faster than others.
2. Read the chapter covering the post-WWII economy and take online quiz.

Walton, Gary. (2017). History of the American Economy. Cengage Learning, 13th.

Economics (Masters Required)