HIST 233 - Alternative Lifestyles: 19th Century American Utopias

(R only)

An examination of various searches for utopian order through communitarian experiment in 19th century United States. Major emphasis on religious and secular communitarian experiments of the period, for example, Brook Farm, Oneida, and Amana. The class will create a constitution for its own model community to conform to the ideals, circumstances, and realities of those experiments. Assessment Level(s): ENGL 101/ENGL 011. Three hours lecture/discussion each week.

3 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Explain why the nineteenth century gave rise to so many far-reaching and diverse attempts to perfect individuals and society.
Describe the goals and actions of the various utopian movements of the nineteenth century.
Delineate the connections between utopian movements and issues such as race, religion, class, gender, and ethnicity in American society.
Identify and critically evaluate the various ways scholars have interpreted the origins, development, and demise of these movements.

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