HI 360 Witches, Cranks and Assassins: Political Hysteria and Conspiracy Theory in United States History
Examines the tradition of political paranoia and social hysteria in American history and the causes and consequences of paranoia. Explores the growing acceptance of conspiratorial thought in American society. Topics include, but are not limited to: the Salem Witch Trials, conspiracy and the ideological origins of the American Revolution, the Slave Power conspiracy, the Lincoln and JFK assassinations, the Pearl Harbor raid, Communism and the Red Scare, right-wing political hysteria, including Populism, the John Birch Society, and the “Truthers,” and left-wing hysteria, including 9/11 conspiracy theories.
Offered
As needed
Notes
HI 133 United States History I: 1776-1877 or HI 134 United States History II: 1877-1991 is suggested prior to taking this course.