Course Form (revised 7-2008)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
History
Course Title
The U.S. in the 1950s
Course #
HSTA 323
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces) U.S. in the 1950s
Summarize the change(s) proposed
Change existing course number
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Michael Mayer
Phone/ email :
2088
Program Chair/Director:
Richard Drake
Other affected programs:
None
Dean:
Date
5/12/09
Comer
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus
into section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title,
credits, repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.)

HSTA 323, The U.S. in the 1950s, 3, alternate years, Examines the political, social, cultural,
intellectual developments of America in the 1950s. Particular emphasis is placed on cultural
history.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
Previously offered under topics course (History 359)
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
no
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined
by the Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered
for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
From:
To:
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
YES
NO
Prerequisites
None
1. Current course information at it appears in
catalog (http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program &
course number
4. Graduate increment if level of course is changed
to UG. Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Is there a fee associated with the
course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space
provided.
5. Other programs affected by the change
6. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or
attach and send digital copy with form.
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document
list course number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy,
summary of proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221,
camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
SYLLABUS
HISTORY 359
AMERICA IN THE 1950S
SPRING 2009
PROFESSOR MICHAEL MAYER
Office: 253 Liberal Arts
Phone: 2088
Office hours: Mon., 3:00-4:00
Wed., Fri., 11:00-12:00
and by appointment
Required Texts
J. Ronald Oakley, God's Country
Daniel Horowitz, American Social Classes in the 1950s
John Howard Griffin, Black Like Me
Will Herberg, Protestant-Catholic-Jew
William F. Buckley, God and Man at Yale
Henry Kissinger, Nuclear Weapons and Foreign Policy
(faculty pack)
Betty Friedan, The Feminine Mystique
Mickey Spillane, The Mike Hammer Collection, Volume 1
Grace Metalious, Peyton Place
*****
This class is intended to provide students with an overview of the America in the
1950s. More particularly, it intends to provide a context for understanding the social and
cultural developments of that time, many of which were central in forming the society in
which we live. Students will be expected to master the basic events and issues of the
1950s in America, to draw conclusions about those events and issues, and to present their
findings in clear, grammatical English.
Requirements:
Essay (50%): Discuss the conflict between the individual and society, as
manifested in the fifteen years after World War II.
Papers are due in the History office on Friday, March 27, at 4:00 PM.
Unexcused late papers will be penalized.
Make sure that your essay answers the question. Be sure to buttress your
thesis and supporting arguments with evidence and specific examples. Use
the textbook, other assigned reading, and class notes for information. You
need not go beyond the reading assigned on the syllabus and class notes
for information. This is not a research paper. If, however, you do consult
other sources, be sure to cite them. Formal footnotes are not necessary but
all derivative information should be attributed.
Plagiarism, or any other form or academic dishonesty, will not be punished
by failure on the exam; it will mean automatic failure for the course.
Limit your answer to seven (7) double-spaced, typed pages.
Final exam (50%): Take home exam.
Due in the History office on Monday, May 12, at 5:00 PM..
CLASS SCHEDULE
January 26
Organization
January 28
Oakley, chapter 1
5
January 30
Oakley, chapter 2
February 2
Oakley, chapter 3
February 4
Oakley, chapter 4
February 6
Oakley, chapter 5
February 9
Oakely, chapter 6
February 11
Oakley, chapter 7
February 13
Horowitz, pp. 31-190
February 16
NO CLASS
February 18
Oakley, chapter 8
February 20
Oakley, chapter 9
February 23
Oakley, chapter 10
February 25
Buckley (entire)
February 27
Buckley
March 2
Oakley, chapter 11
6
March 4
Oakley, chapter 12
March 6
Kissinger
March 9
Oakley, chapter 13
March 11
Oakley, chapter 14
March 13
Spillane
March 16
Oakely, chapter 15
March 18
Oakley, chapter 16
March 20
Friedan, pp. 9-102
March 23
Friedan, pp. 103-232
March 25
Friedan, pp. 232-378
March 27
Midterm due (no class)
April 6
Oakley, chapter 17
April 8
Herberg, pp. 1-98
April 10
Herberg pp. 99-210
7
April 13
Herberg, pp. 211-272
April 15
Oakley, chapter 18
8
April 17
Griffin
April 20
Oakley, chapter 19
April 22
Oakley, chapter 20
April 24
Oakley, chapter 21
April 27
Oakley, chapter 22
April 29
Oakley, chapter 23
May 1
Oakley, chapter 24
May 4
no class meeting
May 6
no class meeting
May 8
Metalious
9