HIST 399 Outline 2007/08 Fall

COURSE NUMBER:

HIST 399

COURSE TITLE:

Special Topics in History - 2007/08 Fall - History of the United States to 1865

NAME OF INSTRUCTOR:

Dr Will Van Arragon

CREDIT WEIGHT AND WEEKLY TIME DISTRIBUTION:

credits 3(hrs lect 3 - hrs sem 0 - hrs lab 0)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A course on a topic of figure of special interest to a member of the history faculty and offered on a non-recurring basis.

Prerequisites: HIST 202 or 203

2007/08 Fall
This class is intended to offer a introductory survey of the history of the United States from the era of European settlement in the Americas to the Civil War. Our challenge is to mix a general perspective on the American story with in-depth attention to issues and events that have been and remain particularly formative for American society. Topics will include: European and African migrations; contact and conflict with Native peoples; development of religious and political institutions; the American Revolution; slavery and sectionalism; westward expansion and the coming of the Civil War. Throughout the semester we will spend a considerable amount of time examining primary sources. We shall also be attentive to historiography, how scholars have interpreted these topics and how historical interpretations have changed over time.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Hoffman and Gjerde, eds., Major Problems in American History, Vol. 1 to 1877 (2nd edition, 2007)
Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty!: An American History (Seagull Edition) Volume 1 to 1865 (2005)

MARK DISTRIBUTION IN PERCENT:

Discussion Seminars	20%
Historiographical Essay (5-7 pages)	25%
Primary-Source Essay (5-7 pages)	25%
Final Examination	30%

	100%

COURSE OUTLINE:

Course Introduction
Peopling: Americas
Peopling: Europe
Peopling: Africa
Discussion Seminar
Colonies: Virginia
Colonies: New England
The Middle Colonies
Religion in the 18th Century
Discussion Seminar
Race and Slavery
French and Indian War
Revolutionary Crises
American Revolution
Making the Constitution
Making the Constitution II
Revolution of 1800
Discussion Seminar
Manifest Destiny
Indian Removal
Westward Expansion
Market Revolution
Slavery in the South
Discussion Seminar
The Second Great Awakening
Reforming Society
Utopias
Abolitionism
Feminism
Apologists for Slavery
Political Compromises
Discussion Seminar
1850s
Civil War
Civil War II
Emancipation
End of the Civil War

Required texts, assignments, and grade distributions may vary from one offering of this course to the next. Please consult the course instructor for up to date details.