HIST 389: Topics in US. History.

HIST 389-003: Why the Midwest Matters
(Spring 2025)

03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR

Horizon Hall 1007

Section Information for Spring 2025

This course is designed to introduce students to the history of the place now commonly known as the “Midwest” (or Upper Midwest or Great Lakes region), but has known many other names, including “the Territory of the United States, North-West of the River Ohio” and “The Old Northwest.”  
  
Throughout the semester we will read about and discuss its development from the late-1700s through the middle of the nineteenth-century and beyond, focusing both on primary historical sources from the region and scholarly interpretations.  
  
Among other topics, we’ll examine Indigenous histories; settler societies; economic, social, political, commercial development; race and slavery; gender; and migration.  
  
Our overarching questions for the semester will be:  
  
Does it make any sense to think about the place as a distinct region? Why or why not? 
What are the consequences (for our conceptions of regional and national history) of thinking about this place as a politically and culturally distinct region? 

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Study of historical topics or periods of special interest. Notes: Topics announced in advance. May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.