HISTORY OF WYOMING
History 1251, Autumn Term, 2008
Final Exam: Officially scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10:15-12:15, CR 129
Dr. Phil Roberts T, Th, 9:35 -10:50 a.m.
Office: 356 History Bldg., 766-5311 or 766-5101 129 Classroom Bldg.
Office Hours: Tue., 11-Noon; Wed., 10-noon, and by appointment E-mail: philr@uwyo.edu
Casey Van Patten, Office hours: T, Th, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and by appointment
E-mail: cvanpatt@uwyo.edu Casey will grade work of students with last names beginning with the letters A-E.
Tiffany Wilson, Office hours: T, W, Th, 11- 11:50 a.m., and by appointment
E-mail: TAWILSON@uwyo.edu Tiffany will grade work of students with last names F-L
Kellyn Younggren, Office hours: T-Th, 1-2:30 p.m., and by appointment.
E-mail: kyounggr@uwyo.edu Kellyn will grade work of students with last names beginning with the letters S-Z
Phil will grade work of students with last names beginning with the letters M-R.
Please note that Phil will NOT be available on Mondays due to research commitments.
OBJECTIVE: The course is a survey which will encourage an understanding of Wyoming history, how it relates to the history of the West and the rest of America, and how it has influenced the present. Students will be expected to understand the main events in the state’s history as well as recognize the context in the wider national/international perspective.
The lectures and readings are designed to provide a general overview and to encourage further reading in Wyoming and Western history. The course will NOT be taught entirely chronologically, but with a strong topical component. Consequently, it will be important for the student keep up with the reading assignments (both printed and on the web) and to have a clear understanding of the chronology of Wyoming events, particularly those since 1890.
This course satisfies the University Studies V1 requirement and, consequently, study of the Wyoming and United States Constitutions are an important part of the class. Also, the class will include an opportunity for you to work with primary documents in the American Heritage Center, providing training on how historians work with one-of-a-kind original documents.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The readings for this class are neither difficult nor extensive. The main “text” actually is a book of readings, available on the web. These readings will be particularly important to understand the various themes in the state’s history while the lectures are designed to provide the chronological context. The lectures will provide context and continuity, but they will NOT duplicate the readings. Consequently, successful completion of the class requires careful reading of the assigned texts and good note-taking during lectures.
Readings in Wyoming History is a compilation of scholarly articles with footnote citations and well-developed historical arguments. Don’t be deceived by the brevity of some of the readings, thinking they will be particularly easy to read and understand. Each article will require careful reading. The other assigned books were written for the popular audience and, consequently, are neither extensively footnoted nor difficult to read.
Written outlines may be provided for some lectures although students will be required to develop better note-taking skills to satisfy the requirements for the course. PowerPoint will be used very infrequently and, when it is, the emphasis will be on photographic images and maps—not on repeating what is said in the lectures or duplicating student notes. Consequently, relentless attendance will be required in order to succeed in this class. Along with exams and quizzes, a short research paper, based on primary sources, will be required.
Because class attention will be necessary for successful completion of the course, all students are asked to turn off cell phones and pagers during lectures.
REQUIRED BOOKS: Copies of all books (and the State Constitution) are on reserve in Coe Library.
Phil Roberts, editor. Readings in Wyoming History. (5th edition, published in 2007), available entirely on the web. The fifth edition contains a number of essays not included in earlier editions. There is a strong possibility that the book will not be ready in time for use in this class. Consequently, students will be expected to read the articles on the webpage, essentially exact duplication of the printed materials..
Geoffrey O’Gara. What You See in Clear Water: Indians, Whites, and A Battle Over Water in the American West. (New York: Random House, 2000).
Robert Righter. Crucible for Conservation: The Struggle for Grand Teton National Park. (Moose: Grand Teton Natural History Assoc., 1982, 2000)
Elinore Pruitt Stewart. Letters of a Woman Homesteader. (Lincoln: Bison Books, 1989). Other editions also OK.
The Wyoming Constitution. (Available for purchase, but also on reserve at Coe Library circulation and on the web).
The United States Constitution. (Also on reserve at Coe Library circulation and on the web at various sites).
Phil Roberts, ed. Wyoming Blue Book. (Cheyenne: Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Department, 2008). The book is presently in production and may not be available in time for the semester. The assignments for this work will be listed in the syllabus as "A New History of Wyoming," published as chapters in the Blue Book, but also available online on my website.
RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED:
Annals of Wyoming: The Wyoming History Journal. The quarterly journal of the Wyoming State Historical Society contains important articles about Wyoming and Western history. The journal is sent to all society members. Membership is open to all. Students may join for just $15 annually. For additional information about membership, ask your professor or consult his website.
T. A. Larson. History of Wyoming. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2d rev. ed., 1990). Dr. Larson was the foremost authority on Wyoming history. A copy of this book is on reserve in Coe Library.
Mike Mackey. Remembering Heart Mountain: Essays on Japanese American Internment in Wyoming. (Powell: Western History Publications, 1998). ISBN 0-9661556-1-0
Phil Roberts, David L. Roberts, and Steven L. Roberts. Wyoming Almanac. (Laramie: Skyline West Press, 2008).
Helena Huntington Smith. War on Powder River: The History of an Insurrection. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1966). A reliable and lively account of the Johnson County Invasion.
Samuel Western. Pushed Off the Mountain, Sold Down the River: Wyoming’s Search for Its Soul. (Moose: Homestead Pub., 2002).
“Made in Wyoming: Our Legacy of Success,” joint publication/web pages of the Casper Star-Tribune and Casper Journal, available on the web at: http://www.madeinwyoming.net/
EXAMS: Midterm exam, 100 points (25%); the final exam, 100 points (25%); Constitution exam, 100 points (25%); research exercises, AHC research paper, 80 points (20%); four unannounced quizzes, 20 points, (5%)..
Absolutely no make-up quizzes will be given. Make-up exams will be given ONLY IF the student informs the professor or TA before the exam is to be administered with a valid reason for missing the scheduled time.
AMERICAN HERITAGE CENTER RESEARCH EXERCISE
When the American Heritage Center assignments are made, students are expected to attend on the date they are assigned. Unless PRIOR approval of the instructor is given, missing the date will result in losing all credit for the AHC assignment. American Heritage Center visits will be scheduled, beginning in early October. Each student will be assigned one of these days to go during the regularly scheduled class period. The names/dates will be noted on the webpage for this class.
Extra Credit: Up to 20 additional “extra-credit” points may be earned by attending history-related lectures outside regularly scheduled classes. These opportunities will be announced in advance and will require proof of attendance at the event and a brief statement about the lecture program.
GRADING PROCEDURE: The final grade will be calculated on the total "points" earned during the semester, tentatively based on the following scale: A: 360-400 points B: 320-359 points C: 280-319 points D: 240-279 points F: 239 or fewer
PLAGIARISM AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Students are expected to know and understand the university’s policies on plagiarism and academic dishonesty. The university rules will be strictly enforced in this class.
Outlines of lectures will be posted to the web. These are intended to supplement, but not replace student notes. Except for the one time during which each student will be at the AHC, all students will be expected to attend and take notes, using the outlines and WyoCast for general guidance on the main ideas presented and for review.
For access to Wyocast, click on the below listed link and go to "Wyoming History" and click again.
http://wyocast.uwyo.edu/uwmediasite/catalog/
OUTLINE OF TOPICS, MEETINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS (subject to minor change)
Tue., Aug. 26: Introduction.
Thurs., Aug. 28: Organizing Concepts in Wyoming History
Reading: Readings in Wyoming History, "Introduction,"
Tue., Sept. 2: “TRAILS”: Wyoming as a Trail to Somewhere Else
New History of Wyoming,, Chapter 1 Original Residents, Explorers and the Fur Trade
Thurs., Sept. 4: “TRAILS”: Oregon/California/Mormon Trails.
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 3: Trails Across Wyoming
Tue., Sept. 9: “ WALL STREET”:: Wyoming and the Fur Trade.
New History of Wyoming, Chapter 2: The Fur Trade
Thurs., Sept. 11: “TRAILS”: The Bozeman Trail and the Coming of Rails
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 4: Coming of Rails,
Tue., Sept. 16: “WASHINGTON”: Establishing the Territory
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 5: Establishing the Territory and Granting Women Equal Rights
Thurs., Sept. 18: “WOMEN’S RIGHTS”: Women Suffrage and the Origins of the "Equality State"
Readings in Wyoming History, Near Repeal of Women's Suffrage,
“School Bells and Winchesters”.
(The WyoCast for this lecture is not available due to technical problems).
Tue., Sept. 23: “WASHINGTON”: Homesteading and Land Grants: Getting Free Land
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 6: Public Lands
Stewart, Letters of a Woman Homesteader (entire book).
Thurs., Sept. 25: “WALL STREET”: Wyoming's Third Boom and Bust: Cattle Ranching, 1867-87
Readings in Wyoming History, “Cowboys Form a Health Coop”
Tue., Sept. 30: “WALL STREET, WASHINGTON”: Johnson County War.
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 8, including “The War, The Invasion”
Group 1 goes to the American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
DISTRIBUTION OF REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR EXAM #1.
Thurs., Oct. 2: “WALL STREET”; “DIVERSITY”: Coal, Locomotives and the Rock Springs Massacre
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 7: Minerals in Territorial Wyoming; Chapter 13.
Readings in Wyoming History, The Wyoming Experience: Chinese in Wyoming;
“My One Hobby,”
Group 2 goes to the American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
Tue., Oct. 7: “WASHINGTON”: Statehood and the End of the 19th Century: End of the Frontier?
Readings in Wyoming History, “The Contest for the Capital,”
Thurs., Oct. 9: Midterm Exam The exam will be essay in style. Please bring an examination "blue-book" to class. No electronic devices are allowed today and students are reminded to keep cell phones turned off during the exam.
Tue., Oct. 14: “WATER”: Water, Irrigation and Reclamation.
Reading: New History of Wyoming, Chap. 13, Water and Irrigation
Geoffrey O’Gara. What You See in Clear Water: Indians, Whites, and A Battle Over Water in the American West.(entire book)
Thurs., Oct. 16: The Wyoming Constitution.
Reading: Wyoming Constitution;
Readings in Wyoming History, “Overview of the Wyoming Constitution,”
Tue., Oct. 21: The United States Constitution. Reading: U. S. Constitution.
Thurs., Oct. 23: Constitution Exam.
Tue., Oct. 28: NOTE CHANGES FOR THE NEXT THREE CLASS PERIODS.
Small group discussion of O'Gara book.
Group 3 goes to the American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
Thurs., Oct. 30: “WALL STREET”: The 1920s: The Beginning of Wyoming’s “Great Depression”
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 9: History of Wyoming Oil ; Chap. 14: The 1920s in Wyoming,
Readings in Wyoming History, “Give Them What They Want,”
Group 4 goes to the American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
Tue., Nov. 4: “WASHINGTON”: The 1930s : Depression and New Deal.
New History of Wyoming, Chapter 15: Depression and New Deal,
Thurs., Nov. 6: “WILDERNESS”: National Parks and Issues of Wilderness.
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 11: Conservation and National Parks,
Readings in Wyoming History, “ Progressivism Comes to Yellowstone;
“Commodification of Wildlife,”
“Harvard Cook in the Wyoming Badlands”
Robert Righter. Crucible for Conservation: The Struggle for Grand Teton National Park. (entire book)
Group 5 goes to the American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
Tue., Nov. 11: “THE WORLD”: World War II in Wyoming; “SECTIONALISM”
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 12: Into the 20th Century,
Readings in Wyoming History, "Evolution of Roads,"
Readings in Wyoming History, "The 100-Octane Fuel Plant,"
“O’Mahoney and Japanese Relocation.”
Group 6 goes to the American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
Thurs., Nov. 13: “THE WORLD”: The Aftermath of World War II: Wyoming Transformed?
New History of Wyoming, Chapter 17: The 1950s.
Readings in Wyoming History, "The Textbook Controversy at the University of Wyoming";
“Visions Beyond an Arrow of Fire,”
"Quest for Public Television."
Group 7 goes to American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
Tue., Nov. 18: “WALL STREET”; “DIVERSITY”: The Severance Tax, Civil Rights, and the “Black 14”
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 18: The 1960s,
Readings in Wyoming History, “The Emerging Civil Rights Movement,”
“The Black 14: Williams v. Eaton.”
“Mrs. Barriers” and the Crusade to Make Wyoming Public Buildings Accessible
Group 8 goes to the American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
Thurs., Nov. 20: “WALL STREET”: Boom and Bust in the Post-war Years: Social Dislocations.
New History of Wyoming, Chaps. 19 &20
Readings in Wyoming History,“Project Wagon Wheel: A Nuclear Plowshare for Wyoming," “Home on the Range No More”
Group 9 goes to the American Heritage Center
(Students in this group will be responsible for today's lecture via Wyo Webcast).
Tue., Nov. 25: “SELF-IMAGE”: Equality State? Cowboy State?
New History of Wyoming, Chap. 10: Wyoming’s Self-Image
Readings in Wyoming History, "Reflecting Community"
DRAWING FOR DOOR PRIZES!!
Thurs., Nov. 27: NO CLASS. THANKSGIVING BREAK.
Tue., Dec. 2: "WALL STREET": Bust, 1982-2001; Boom, 2002-Present
Readings in Wyoming History, “The Virginian Meets Matt Shepard”
Thurs., Dec. 4: The 21st Century Boom and the Quest for Economic Diversification
“Stump the Professor” review exercise (time permitting).
FINAL EXAM: Final Exam officially scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10:15-12:15 a.m., CR 129.
BRING A BLUE EXAM BOOKLET AND A PEN OR PENCIL. No notes, books, electronic devices, etc., allowed.