History 4030

History 4030: Departmental Proseminar:

“Boom and Bust”: A Comparative History

Thursday, 5:35-8:05 p.m

156 History Building

Email: philr@uwyo.edu Office Hours: Mon., Wed., 10-Noon, and by appointment. NOT AVAILABLE ON TUESDAYS (Research Day)

Throughout history, many places experienced sudden population growth. A few eventually became cities while others remained locked in "boom and bust" cycles. For a variety of reasons, many of these “boom-towns” disappeared almost as suddenly as they had risen. In this course, students will be introduced to comparative approaches that may be used as ways to gain greater understanding of the issues of “boom and bust”—how "boom-bust" conditions affected individuals, the broader society and culture, future development, public policies, and civic activism. Economic factors will be examined by studying typical boom-town industries, such as mineral development and commerce. We will also examine the ways in which such factors as warfare and government decision-making have influenced “boom-and-bust” communities over time. Some attention will be paid to how booms and busts have changed local environments. While the instructor’s area of expertise is the American West, this course will not be entirely restricted to that region. Through the comparative approach, we will analyze booms and busts throughout the world through time, testing the strengths and weaknesses of comparative study while gaining greater insight into the boom-and-bust issues.

The course is taught as a seminar. Its success hinges on students reading, discussing what they have read, doing research and writing. As such, relentless attendance and active participation is necessary in order to complete the course successfully.

During the course of the semester, students will be doing extensive writing. Most assignments will be to write short papers, but two will be more lengthy. For all papers, including the final research paper, the footnote or bibliographic style will be according to the Chicago Manual of Style. For all papers, the University Policy on Plagiarism will be enforced.

1. Short Response Papers: You will be asked to utilize a variety of research sources to answer six questions involving the history of “boom/bust.” Specifics as to individual assignments are listed below on the Schedule of Assignments. Each short paper will be worth 5 percent of the grade for a total of 30 percent.

2. Curriculum Vitae: The curriculum vitae (c.v.), academic language for a “resume,” will list your education, accomplishments, interests, and experience. The c.v. may be used for future job applications or for scholarships/grants periodically offered by the department/university. DUE DATE: Feb. 22. 5%

3. Paper Proposal : The proposal will outline your paper topic, its significance and sources, both primary and secondary. It will serve as a direction to your later research and writing for the major paper. Length: 2-4 pages. DUE DATE: March 8. 5%

4. Comparative Review. 6-8 page book review on two of the book segments/articles of your choice from the reading list. A good comparative review is challenging because you must be able to state the thesis of each book/article and the respective sources in both, then you must provide a summary of the arguments, conclusions and, finally, a critique. In essence, this constitutes more than two reviews because you must be able to relate the two works, the authors’ arguments and conclusions, in your own coherent argument. DUE DATE: March 29. 10%

5. Research Paper: Combined draft and final will be worth 40 percent of the course grade. Your task is to write a well thought out and persuasively argued paper, grounded in both theory and historiography. You may choose any topic that relates to the main theme of this course—booms and busts. Primary and secondary sources are mandatory. Encyclopedia articles or textbooks are not acceptable sources for this paper. Reputable internet sources may be used, but only sparingly and, if used, the web addresses must be cited in your footnotes. Papers require footnotes and a bibliography and should be in 11-point type, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins. You will need to use your time wisely and take into account potential problems because there are two deadlines—one for the draft and the other for the final paper. Your grade for this portion is based on the totality of the work. You will not get separate grades for each. Draft deadline: April 19. Final paper deadline: May 3.

6. Class participation/discussant for articles: 10 percent. It is said that “90% of life is showing up,” but in this class, while we will follow the sentiment, “participation” will be worth 10 percent. All students will read all articles, except where otherwise directed, and for each reading each week, one student will be designated to lead the class discussion. Each student will be responsible for leading discussion on two articles/book sections.

Jan. 11: Introduction, Distribution of the Syllabus, Directions as to Class Procedures for the Semester

Writing Assignment 1: You have been asked to research the origins of the “transcontinental railroad towns” across Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, northern California. What steps will you follow in researching this topic? Be as detailed as you can about the use of data bases, archival sources, and the range of sources available to you. Length: 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 11-pt. type, regular margins. Due: Jan. 18.

Jan. 18: The Nature of Boom-and-Bust Cycles/Economies: An Overview with Examples

Writing Assignment 2: What constitutes a “boom town” or “instant city”? Answer the question with reference to recognized reference sources and secondary materials. You may use any variety of sources, including such works as the Readers’ Encyclopedia of the American West, Oxford History of the American West, journal article definitions, reputable webpages. Be sure to cite properly to all quoted materials. 2-4 pages, double-spaced, 11-pt. type, regular margins. Due: Jan. 25.

Barth, Gunther. Instant Cities: Urbanization and the Rise of San Francisco and Denver. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1975), pp. xxi-38.

Lees, Lynn Holton, and Paul M. Hohenberg, “Urban Decline and Regional Economies: Brabant, Castille, and Lombardy, 1550-1750,” Comparative Studies in Society and History 31 (July 1989), pp. 439-461.

Robbins, William G., “In Pursuit of Historical Explanation: Capitalism as a Conceptual Tool for Knowing the American West,” Western Historical Quarterly (30), Autumn, 1999), pp. 277-293.

Saltiel. History and Business Directory of Cheyenne. (Cheyenne: L. B. Joseph, Printer, 1868).

Barth, Gunther. Instant Cities. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1975), pp. 128-154.

Hietter, Paul T., “How Wild Was Arizona? An Examination of Pima County’s Criminal Court, 1882-1909,” Western Legal History 12 (Summer/Fall 1999), pp. 183-209. DISCUSSION LEADER: Nicole

Stanley, John Joseph, “Vigilance Movements in Early California,” in Gordon M. Bakken, Law in the Western United States. (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2000), pp. 55-71; and Stanley, “Rough Rider Justice in the Dakota Badlands,” Law in the Western United States, pp. 95-100. DISCUSSION LEADER: Kristine

Olien, Roger M., and Diana Davids Olien. Oil Booms: Social Changes in Five Texas Towns. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1982), “Crime and Vice,” pp. 127-142. DISCUSSION LEADER: Clay

Writing Assignment 3: Choose one town that began as a “boom town” and, eventually, turned into a ghost town. Describe how it began. Why was the site chosen for a town? Who were the principal town founders? Why did the town become a ghost town? Length: 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 11-pt. type, regular margins. Due: Feb. 15.

Dilsaver, Larry M., “After the Gold Rush,” Geographical Review 75 (January 1985), 1-18. DISCUSSION LEADER: Sean

Paul, Rodman W., The Far West and Great Plains in Transition, 1859-1900, (New York: Harper and Row, 1988), chaps. 2-4. DISCUSSION LEADER: Robin

Reps, John W., Cities of the American West: A History of Frontier Urban Planning. (Princeton: Princeton Univ. Press, 1979), pp. 456-523.

West, Elliott. Contested Plains: Indians, Goldseekers, and the Rush to Colorado. (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1998). Chaps. 8, 9. DISCUSSION LEADER: Kendall

Writing Assignment 4: Examine at least five consecutive issues of a newspaper published in a “boomtown” during the boom period. What kinds of news items are featured? What products and services are advertised? Based on the content of the papers you read, what was the likely role of the editor in the community? Length: 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 11-pt. type, regular margins. Due: March 1.

Abbott, Carl, “Building the Atomic Cities,” in Bruce Hevly and John Findlay (eds.) The Atomic West. (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1998), pp. 90-115. DISCUSSION LEADER: Jason

Russo, David J. American Towns: An Interpretive History. (Chicago: Ivan Dee, 2001), pp. 119-132

In addition to the above readings, each student will be asked to read a chapter on a town in History of the Union Pacific Coal Mines. (Omaha: Colonial Press, 1940), and be prepared to discuss it in class, utilizing the common readings to draw comparisons and contrasts.

Feb. 22: American Heritage Center visit. NOTE: This is the ONE time that the class will be meeting from 3-5 p.m., in order to accommodate the hours of the American Heritage Center. Meet AT THE AHC.

Writing Assignment 5: Through examining secondary sources on any specific boomtown, identify a prominent figure associated with the development of the town. Write a 3-5 page biographical sketch of the individual. In developing the paper, consider what his/her motives might have been in starting the town. What affect, if any, did the town’s history have on the “founder’s” later life? Length: 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 11-pt. type, regular margins. Due: March 22.

Olien, Roger M., and Diana Davids Olien. Oil Booms: Social Change in Five Texas Towns. (Lincoln: Univ. of Nebraska Press, 1982), “Population, Housing,” pp. 1-58. “Women and the Family,” pp. 87-106.

Russo, David J. American Towns: An Interpretive History. (Chicago: Ivan Dee, 2001), pp. 176-207. DISCUSSION LEADER: Rob

Smith, Duane A., Rocky Mountain Boom Town: A History of Durango. (Albuquerque: UNM Press, 1980), pp. 5-21. DISCUSSION LEADER: Tom

West, Elliott, “Heathens and Angels: Childhood in the Rocky Mountain Mining Towns,” Western Historical Quarterly (April 1983), pp. 145-164.

Bain, David Haward. Empire Express: Building the First Transcontinental Railroad. (New York: Viking, 1999), pp. 370-384. DISCUSSION LEADER: Nick

Bonner, Robert E., “Buffalo Bill Cody and Wyoming Water Politics,” Western Historical Quarterly 33 (Winter 2002), pp. 433-452. DISCUSSION LEADER: Kenny

Edwards, G. Thomas, “Town Boosterism on Oregon’s Mining Frontier,” Oregon Historical Review 106 (Spring 2005), pp. 76-97.

Paul, Rodman W., The Far West and Great Plains in Transition, 1859-1900, (New York: Harper and Row, 1988), chap. 5. DISCUSSION LEADER: Amanda

Writing Assignment 6: Conduct a brief oral history interview of an individual who had some involvement with a boomtown—either lived in one as a child, worked in one, had family who came from one. Based on the interview and any other relevant secondary/primary sources, write a 3-5 page paper on the “social” aspects of town life in the particular community. Length: 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 11-pt. type, regular margins. Due: April 12.

Mackie, Bill. The Oil Men. (Edinburgh: Berlinn, 2004), pp. 13-82. DISCUSSION LEADER: Jeff

Kathka, Dave, “The Italian Experience in Wyoming,” in Gordon O. Hendrickson (ed.), Peopling the High Plains: Wyoming’s European Heritage. (Cheyenne: Wyoming State Archives, 1977), pp. 67-94. DISCUSSION LEADER: Justin

Sellars, Nigel A., Oil, Wheat and Wobblies: The Industrial Workers of the World in Oklahoma, 1905-1930. (Norman: Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 1998), Chap. 3, “Organizing Oily Willy,” pp. 57-76.

April 5: Research Date. NO MEETING TONIGHT. SPEND THE TIME WORKING ON THE ROUGH DRAFT UNLESS A MEETING IS MADE NECESSARY BY WEATHER-RELATED CANCELLATION OF AN EARLIER CLASS.

April 12: Coping with the Bust; The Impact of Booms and Busts on the Natural Environment

Munif, Abdelrahman. Cities of Salt. (New York: Random House, 1987). DISCUSSION LEADER: Tiffany

Crampton, Frank. Deep Enough:A Working Stiff in the Western Mine Camps. (Norman: Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 1956), pp. 18-39. DISCUSSION LEADER: Stacy

Frank, Alison Fleig. Oil Empire: Visions of Prosperity in Austrian Galacia. DISCUSSION LEADER: Sarah

Egan, John, “Home on the Range No More: The Boom and Bust of Jeffrey City,” in Phil Roberts (ed.), Readings in Wyoming History. (Laramie: Skyline West, 2004), pp. 228-235. DISCUSSION LEADER: Joshua

Individual Presentations of Oral History Findings; Discussion on Writing the Research Paper

April 19: Draft of 20-page research paper due today. In essence, this is an even more important deadline than the deadline for the final paper because you will have a chance to receive comments back next week and resubmit the paper, in final form with relevant corrections/suggestions, during finals week. The grade will be assessed on the totality of the paper from both the draft and the final form. Consequently, some allowance may be made for significant improvement.

April 26: Last day of class. Critique of drafts. (Exact procedure to be described after mid-term).