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 |
