Over the course of its history the automobile rapidly developed from an expensive toy for the rich into the standard for passenger transport in most of the world. In this course students will learn about the effect of the automobile on society, especially during the 20th century. Topics discussed include advantages of the increase in mobility and convenience afforded by the automobile, the effect on pollution and the growth of the suburbs caused by the automobile. A library/internet research written project concerning some aspect of the automobile’s effect on society will be assigned and is an integral component of this course.