GOALS

This course has two goals. First, I’d like you to learn the dates, facts, concepts, events, and processes that shaped American history through the Civil War. As a student of American history and a citizen of the United States you need to understand the significance of ideas like Calvinism, events like Shay’s Rebellion, and movements like Abolitionism. We will devote a great deal of time and energy to hunting down, harpooning, and devouring the white whales of American history. When you leave this class you will have met and conquered such leviathans as colonization, slavery, industrialization, sectionalism, and revolution. You will be able to demonstrate your command of these main ideas during two short answer quizzes. Alas, swallowing hunks of history, however delectable, is not enough. As college students, you must do something with this information. Therefore, the second goal of this class is the mastery of a skill: the composition of a persuasively argued essay. We will go through the steps of writing a good essay (finding a thesis, gathering evidence, and harnessing that evidence to prove your thesis). You will have the chance to demonstrate your flair for essay writing in three exams (two midterms, and one final). Your grade will be based on the effort and improvement you show in the three exams, two quizzes, as well as regular class attendance.

ATTENDANCE, INCOMPLETES, AND PLAGIARISM

Showing up will greatly improve your chances of learning something in this course. I will keep attendance, if you miss more than four classes, I will take five points off your final grade for each additional unexcused absence. WARNING! You will be in dire intellectual trouble long before you miss your fourth class. This course is not a television show! If you miss a couple episodes, all the borrowed notes in the world may not catch you up. I expect you to demonstrate signs of intelligent life during each and every class period.

University policy it that grades of “incomplete” should be assigned only to students who have successfully completed most of the course work and who have been prevented by significant and unanticipated circumstances from finishing all requirements. “Incompletes” are a pain for you, and more importantly, for me. I will be reluctant to give them out.

Plagiarism, cheating on the exams, and other forms of intellectual skullduggery will not be tolerated. If I catch you, you will fail the exam and I will report you to the university for further disciplinary action. Consult the IUPUI Campus Bulletin, 2000-2002, p. 36.

READING

John Mack Faragher, et al, Out of Many: A History of the American People, Volume One.

Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, Salem Possessed: The Social Origins of Witchcraft.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Classic Slave Narratives.

EXAMS

There will be three exams and two quizzes: the quizzes will be worth 10% of your grade and will consist of 10 short answer questions. The exams will include 2 midterms worth 25% of your final grade each and a cumulative final worth 30% of your final grade. The exams will consist of short answer ID’s and longer essays. The remaining 10% of your grade will consist of class participation. This grade will be based on contributing your voice to our discussion of the readings, asking questions in class, and/or coming to talk to me during office hours.

COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS

August

22 Introduction to course.

27 Pre-Columbian and early encounters. (Reading: Faragher Chpt. 1)

29 Beginnings: France, Spain, and England in the Americas. (Reading: Faragher Chpt. 2)

September

3 Labor Day (No Class)

5 Dreams: Natives and Newcomers (Reading: Faragher Chpt. 3)

10 Realities: Powhattan and Peqout Wars.

12 Who will work? Under what terms? (Reading: Faragher Chpt. 4)

17 Who will work? Under what terms? First Quiz

19 End of the Seventeenth century (Reading: Salem Possessed, first half)

24 Class discussion on Salem Possessed (Reading: Salem Possessed, second half)

26 Incorporation into Empire

October

1 Slavery (Read “The Life of Olaudah Equiano” in Classic Slave Narratives)

3 Class Discussion on “The Life of Olaudah Equiano.”

8 First Exam

10 Urban life in the 18^th century (Reading: Faragher Chpt. 5)

15 Imperial Conflicts

17 French and Indian war (Reading: Faragher Chpt. 6)

22 Road to Bunker Hill

24 The Revolution (Reading: Faragher Chpt. 7)

29 Viewing of The Patriot

30 Viewing of The Patriot

November

4 The Constitution (Readings: Faragher Chpt. 8)

7 Expansion (Readings: Faragher Chpt. 9)

12 Freedom in the 19^th Century (Readings: Faragher Chpt 10)

14 Second Exam

19 Class Discussion on Frederick Douglas (Reading: “…Frederick Douglass” in CSN)

21 Industrialization (Readings: Faragher Chpt. 12 & 13)

26 Expansion (Readings: Faragher Chpt. 14)

28 Rise of the Middle Class; Second Quiz

December

3 Road to the Civil War (Faragher Chpt. 11)

5 Road to the Civil War (Faragher Chpt. 15)

10 The War and Wrap up

14 Final