History 4130   Utah History 

Spring 2002    K. L. MacKay    Syllabus 

Learning Objectives |Texts | Activities | Participation | Grades | Topics and Schedule 

updated 20 April 2002

Internet Resources

Telling Utah's story is a daunting task, and one that has been undertaken by many authors, and in many different forms over the years. This course is intended as an introduction to that scholarship.

Any student requiring accommodations or services dues to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.

Learning Objectives:

• Students will hone their skills in reading, writing, thinking, and presenting.
• Students will become knowledgeable about the  scholarship in Utah history.

• Students will come to see Utah in many different ways.

Texts:

• Alexander, Utah, the Right Place
• Stegner, Mormon Country
• Tempest Williams, Refuge
• additional readings

Activities in support of Learning:

• in-class discussions, free-writes, short writings, presentations.
• 2 Mid-Term Exams. 50 points each.
• 2 formal response papers (typed, double-spaced, free of gross grammatical and spelling errors). 15 points each.
• resource guide. Students will work with colleagues (1 or 2) to create a resource guide on a particular topic in Utah history. They will present their findings in written and oral forms to the class. 30 points.
• projects and field trips.

Participation:

Participation--in class discussions, short writings and reports, etc.--is highly valued in this class. Students will assess their participation in a short statement. 30 points.

Grades:

Grades will be based on a percentage of the points possible. 90% = A. grading is NOT "on the curve."

Topics and Schedule

Weeks 1-5    Stegner's Mormon Country

Weeks 6-7    The Land and the People, Alexander 1-2

Weeks 7-8   Utah -- a known place; Mormonism and the American Experience, Alexander 3-5

March 11 meet in Library 138

Weeks 9-10 Utah--the Kingdom of God, Alexander 6-8

March 18: Judith Freeman at Huntsville Library, 7 pm
        Gene Sessions at Lair, 7:30 pm
March 27: A conversation with Helen Papanikolas, Special Collections, 11:00.
March 29: no class
April 5: no class
April 4-6: Exam 1 (available in SBS testing center)

Weeks 11-13 Utah--the 20th century, Alexander 9-16

April 12: no class

April 27: field trip to USHS and tour of SLC. Meet in Social Science parking lot 11:00 or at USHS in Rio Grande Station at 12:00. Bring $ for late lunch at Lamb's Grill.
May 4: field trip to Bird Refuge. Meet in Social Science Parking lot at 7:00 a.m. Breakfast will be provided. Bring $ for lunch at the Idle Isle Cafe in Brigham City.

April 25-27: Exam 2 ( available in SBS testing center

Weeks 14-15 Tempest Williams Refuge

May 6: 2nd Response paper due

May 3: Participation statement due

May 7, 9:30-11:30 Resource Guides presented + pizza!