HIST 3224 - The 1980s in the U.S.: The Age of Reagan and Madonna

Examines a pivotal decade, which has helped to shape the politics and culture of contemporary America. The focus will be on the presidency of Ronald Reagan and the growth of conservatism as well as liberal criticism of Reagan”s social, economic, and international policies. Special attention will be given to the decade’s “culture wars” as well as the ways that new technology and cable networks such as CNN and MTV created new celebrities such as Madonna and helped blur the lines between entertainment and politics. The course also examines the end of the Cold War and its effects on the U.S. world role.

Requisites: Soph or Jr or Sr
Credit Hours: 3
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:

To expand students’ familiarity with different ways of assessing the history of the 1980s.
To expand students’ knowledge of U.S. politics, culture, and society in the 1980s.
To expand students’ knowledge of the presidency of Ronald Reagan and the differing perspectives on his presidency.
To expand students’ knowledge of the ways that Madonna and other popular culture figures impacted the 1980s.
To improve students skills at assessing primary historical sources.
To improve students’ skills at critically reading history texts.
To improve students’ skills at historical writing.

Ohio University

Ohio University

HIST 3224 - The 1980s in the U.S.: The Age of Reagan and Madonna