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(Photo by Joe O'Connell, 5 February 2005)

POLI 100K: RAILROADS AND AMERICAN POLITICS

Spring Quarter AY2007-2008
Department of Political Science
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA, 92093-0521

 Classroom: CENTR 105
Time: 1:00 - 1:50PM MWF


 Instructor: Keith T. Poole

Office: Room 368 Social Sciences Building
Office Hours: Thursday, 2:00 - 4:00 or by appointment
E-Mail: KPoole@ucsd.edu
WebSite: Voteview Home Page

Grader: Jaime Settle
Office Hours: 1:00 - 3:00PM Tuesday, SSB 323
E-Mail: jsettle@ucsd.edu

The following texts will be used in this course:

Requirements

Grades will be determined by two examinations -- one mid-quarter exam and a final exam. The exams will consist of short answer questions. The midterm will be worth 1/3 and the final 2/3 of the course grade.

The midterm will be on Friday, 2 May 2008, from 1:00 - 1:50PM (The exam will be 1 hour)

The final is scheduled for Thursday, 12 June 2008, from 11:30AM - 1:30PM (The exam will be 2 hours during this block).

All exams are closed-book closed-note -- no computers, PDAs, or cell phones allowed.

Course Outline
  1. Introduction: Why are Railroads Important?

    Assignment:


  2. American Politics, Economics, and Business prior to the Railroads: 1800 - 1830

    Assignment:


  3. Railroads as Big Business

    Assignment:


  4. Andrew Carnegie and the Standard Railway of the World

    Assignment:

    5. Study Questions for Midterm

  5. The Evolution of Railroad Technology

    Assignment:

  6. The Nature of Railroad Competition

    Assignment:

  7. Railroads and the Development of Agriculture

    Assignment:

  8. Railroads and Industrialization

    Assignment:

  9. Railroads and the Rise of the New York Stock Exchange

    Assignment:

  10. Railroads and Government Regulation: 1887-1920

    Assignment:

    11. Study Questions for Final (8 of 9 will be on the final)

  11. Railroads Triumphant: 1980 - 2001

    Assignment:

  12. Railroads and the Future of the American Transportation System