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

C. Green Eli Whitney and the Birth of American Technology

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

Jan. 10 Exploration and early settlement

Jan. 17 "Micro-history;” peoples of colonial America

Jan. 24 No Class

Jan. 31 Government and Empire

Feb. 7 Enlightenment and revolution

Feb. 14 FIRST EXAM (Norton, chs. 2-6 and lecture notes)

Feb. 21 Constitution; 1790s

Feb. 28 ELI WHITNEY DUE 1790s-early 1800s and the challenges to the republic

Mar. 7 Farm, Factory & Cities; the Rise of Jackson

Mar. 14 SPRING BREAK No Class

Mar. 21 Jackson; South and Slavery

Mar. 28 SECOND EXAM (Norton, chs. 10 -13 and lecture notes)

Apr. 4 PAPER ON NORTHUP DUE South and Slavery

Apr. 11 Reform and War

Apr. 18 Territorial expansion and the 1850s

Apr. 25 The Coming of War and Reconstruction

May 2 FINAL EXAM (Norton, ch. 15 and class notes)