Syllabus

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

A list of topics covered in the course is provided in the calendar.

Syllabus Archive

The following syllabi come from a variety of different terms. They illustrate the evolution of this course over time, and are intended to provide alternate views into the instruction of this course.

Spring 2011, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Spring 2010, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Spring 2009, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Spring 2007, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Spring 2006, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Spring 2005, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Fall 2002, Christopher Capozzola (PDF)

Course Requirements

Attendance and Participation

Regular attendance, completion of readings, and participation in discussions is required. This constitutes a significant component of students' performances in the subject.

Assignments

Students are expected to complete three papers of 4 to 5 pages based on the readings assigned for a specific week. Students will be divided into three groups. Additional details can be found in the assignments section.

Oral Presentations

On the first session of the week in which students have papers due they each present to the class a brief summary of their papers. During the final weeks of the term, when students are no longer obliged to write papers on the assigned readings, these presentations will continue. That is, students in group 1 should be prepared to speak about the readings in first session of Week# 12; group 2 in first session of Week# 13, and group 3 in first session of Week# 14. In some cases the format for those classes might be changed, however.

Final Paper

Preparation of a final paper, roughly 10 pages in length, on a notable historical work that was not assigned as required reading. Additional details are available in the assignments section.

There will be no final examination.

Calendar

Week # Topics Key Dates
1 Introduction; the Puritans  
2 "The First Famous American": Benjamin Franklin Group I Papers Due

Group I Oral Presentations
3 Paine's "Common Sense" and the Declaration of Independence Group II Papers Due

Group II Oral Presentations
4 The Constitutional Convention Group III Papers Due

Group III Oral Presentations
5 Exploring the West Group I Papers Due

Group I Oral Presentations
6 Slave Narratives: Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs Group II Papers Due

Group II Oral Presentations
7 "The Little Lady Who Caused This Big War" Group III Papers Due

Group III Oral Presentations
8 The Lincoln-Douglas Debates; Lincoln Group I Papers Due

Group I Oral Presentations
9 Ulysses S. Grant and the Civil War Group II Papers Due

Group II Oral Presentations
10 Discussion: Paper Topics; Writing Final Papers  
11 Making Money - and Giving it Away Group III Papers Due

Group III Oral Presentations
12 Segregation and Blacks' Dreams of Success Group I Oral Presentations
13 What a Difference the Radio Made: the Presidency, at Home Group II Oral Presentations
14 Free at Last? Group III Oral Presentations

Final Paper Due