HISTORY 101: U.S. HISTORY TO THE CIVIL WAR
UW-Marathon County
Spring 2003
Brett Barker, Ph.D.
TR 1:00-2:15 Room 194
Contact Information:
Office: 330 Office Hours: TR 11:00-12:00 and by appointment
E-mail: bbarker@uwc.edu Telephone: 261-6250
Course Objectives:
This course examines American history from the European “discovery” of America through the end of Reconstruction. Its aim is to help students gain a basic understanding of the major themes and developments in politics, society, economy and culture in America during the first three centuries of European settlement. By the end of the semester students should have gained specific knowledge and skills that will prove useful in their college career.
Knowledge: a demonstrated understanding of the following:
--the diversity and complexity of native cultures at the time of contact with Europeans
--the founding of European colonies in North America, and the variety present among them
--the development of the English mainland colonies and their growing rift with Great Britain
--the introduction of slavery and its importance in U.S. history
--the causes, course, and consequences of the Revolution for the U.S. and its residents
--the economic and political development of the United States 1776-1877
--the causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War
--the changes in everyday life and work for ordinary Americans between 1607 and 1877
--the interaction between social groups and its importance for U.S. history
Skills: success in this course will also require demonstration of the following:
--the ability to read and listen with critical perception
--the ability to analyze and synthesize course materials
--the ability to distinguish between knowledge, values, beliefs, and opinions
--the ability to construct and support hypotheses and arguments orally and in writing
Attendance:
You must attend class. Past experience indicates that students who attend irregularly almost always do poorly in the course.
Texts (required):
Boyer et al, The Enduring Vision, vol. 1, 4th edition
Lorence, Enduring Voices, vol. 1, 4th edition
(the above books are sold as a set)
Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, A Midwife’s Tale
David Blight, ed., Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Lectures, Readings, and Assignment Schedule:
Jan. 20 Boyer, Chs. 1-2 Introduction
The Meeting of Two Old Worlds
Jan. 27 Boyer, Ch. 3 The Colonies: Founding
The Colonies: A Spectrum of Settlement
Feb. 3 Boyer, Ch. 4 The Colonies: Economy and Society
The Colonies: War and Growth
Feb. 10 Boyer, Ch. 5 The Colonies: Resistance to British Rule, 1763-1773
Ulrich, 3-101 The Colonies: The Road to Independence, 1773-1776
Feb. 17 Boyer, Ch. 6 The American Revolution
Ulrich, 102-234 Forging a New Nation
Feb. 24 Boyer, Ch. 7 The New Nation
Ulrich, 235-352 The Transappalachian West
Mar. 3 Boyer, Ch. 8 The Age of Jefferson
March 6: To Be Announced
Mar. 10 Boyer, Ch. 9 The War of 1812 and American Nationalism
MIDTERM: MARCH 13
Mar. 24 Boyer, Ch. 10 “Era of Good Feelings” and the Missouri Compromise
Revival, Reform, and Society
Mar. 31 Boyer, Ch. 11 Jacksonian Politics and the Second Party System
The Search for an American Culture
Apr. 7 Boyer, Ch. 12 The Experience of Slavery
Frederick Douglass Slavery and the United States
Apr. 11 Boyer, Ch. 13 Migration and Immigration
The War with Mexico and Its Legacy
Apr. 18 Boyer, Ch. 14 The Sectional Crisis, 1850-1857
Toward Secession and Civil War, 1857-1861
Apr. 25 Boyer, Ch. 15 The War for the Union, 1861-1862
May 5 Boyer, Ch. 16 Reconstruction: Presidential and Congressional
Reconstruction: Redemption
Grading: Course grades will be based on the following:
20% Class Participation: Not only must you attend class, but you are also expected to participate in discussions. In order to do this, you should read all of the weekly assignments before class on Tuesday. This course requires a significant amount of reading, and to be successful you must keep up with the schedule. In evaluating your participation grade I will consider your attendance, the quantity and quality of your contributions, and your willingness to listen and interact with other students while integrating your comments into the flow of discussion.
20% Preparatory Writing Assignments: These assignments will be given out in class on Thursdays—they will usually be due the following Tuesday. Most will require a short written analysis of readings and other course materials. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the assignment and complete it on time. In addition, there may be in-class quizzes on the reading. This depends entirely on student participation in section. If students are reading the assignments, and discussing them in section, there will be no quizzes. If and when reading and participation decline, students should expect quizzes.
30% Midterm: The midterm will be given in class on March 13, and will cover the lectures and readings up to that date. The exam will have two sections: an essay and short identifications—you will have some choice in each section. A review sheet will be available at least one week before the exam.
30% Final: The final will consist of two sections. The first will resemble a second midterm, with essays and identifications covering course materials since the midterm. You will take it in class during the scheduled final exam period. There will be a review sheet for this section, and you will have choices in both the essay and identifications you answer. The second portion of the final will consist of a take-home comprehensive essay. This essay will be handed out in class no later than May 7, and will be due when you come to take the in-class portion of the final.
Three Important Notes About Assignments:
Changes to the Syllabus:
I have tried to make this syllabus as accurate, complete, and helpful as possible. I do not anticipate changing any elements of this course, but I reserve the right to do so. Any changes will be announced in class with as much advance notice as possible.