History 105 Cavanaugh Hall, Room 215

Steve Cox Thursdays, 5:45 – 8:25

History 105 is the introductory course to U.S. History from settlement through the Civil War. We will focus on broad themes that relate to the country's social, economic and political development, and we will examine the many challenges, assumptions and ideas emanating from this diverse and unique North American culture.

READINGS

Mary Beth Norton A People and A Nation, Vol. 1

R. David Edmunds Tecumseh

Solomon Northup Twelve Years a Slave

GRADES

Final grades will be based on the following breakdown:

First Exam 25% Second Exam 25%

Final Exam 30% Paper on Northup 20%

The three exams will be essay and short answer, based on both the text (Norton) and lectures. I will supply study guides prior to each exam. While I do not make specific weekly assignments in Norton, I am assuming you will have read the appropriate chapters prior to the exams.

READING SCHEDULE AND LECTURE TOPICS

Aug. 23 Exploration and early settlement

Aug. 30 Early settlement; "micro-history"

Sept. 6 Empire

Sept. 13 Government and religion

Sept. 20 Enlightenment and revolution

Sept. 27 FIRST EXAM (Norton, chs. 2-6 and lecture notes)

Oct. 4 Constitution; 1790s

Oct. 11 TECUMSEH DUE 1790s-early 1800s and the challenges to the republic

Oct. 18 Farm, Factory & Cities; the Rise of Jackson

Oct. 25 Jackson and Beyond

Nov. 1 South and Slavery; Reform

Nov. 8 SECOND EXAM (Norton, chs. 10 -13 and lecture notes)

Nov. 15 PAPER ON NORTHUP DUE South and Slavery

Nov. 22 Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 29 Territorial expansion and the 1850s

Dec. 6 1850s & The Coming of War

Dec. 13 FINAL EXAM