HIST 416B Sem: Protest, Riot & Violence in US Political History
This research seminar helps students develop the research and writing skills needed to produce the senior thesis in History 496. We explore how Americans have expressed dissent and tried to influence government policy by collective public action, both non-violent and violent, over more than two centuries of our nation's history. In the first part of the semester, we read about episodes ranging from the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s to woman suffrage and civil rights demonstrations of the 20th century. We discuss the many differences between peaceful protest and political violence, as well as the tendency of some Americans to conflate the two. In the second part of the course, students conduct research on a demonstration, riot, or protest movement of their choosing. A series of planning exercises and drafts - similar to those in History 496 - culminates in a 15-20 page term paper at the end of the semester.