History 345L: The Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877
Spring 2010 George Forgie
Unique #39585 forgie@mail.utexas.edu
M & W 3:30-5:00 Garrison 3.212 (475-7231)
JGB 2.218 T 4:00-5:30, TH 3:00-4:30
OVERVIEW. This course investigates the political, military, constitutional, diplomatic, and social aspects the American Civil War and its aftermath. It seeks to provide students with an understanding of the background and purposes of the war, the strengths and strategies of the combatants, and the reasons why the war took the course that it did. The destruction of slavery is a central focus of the course. The last third of the course takes up the history of Reconstruction, concentrating on how the various plans of the victors affected and were affected by the lives and aspirations of the vanquished and the freed slaves.
BOOKS: The following paperbacks should be purchased:
James McPherson and James K. Hogue, Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction (4th edition)
Allen C. Guelzo, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America
Gary W. Gallagher, The Confederate War
Michael Shaara, The Killer Angels
Albion Tourgée, A Fool's Errand: A Novel of the South during Reconstruction
CLASSES: Each class will consist of a lecture of 50-60 minutes, followed by discussion among those students who wish to stay. You may record the classes if you wish, but no laptop computers may be used or open during the lecture.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:
Wednesday, January 20
Introduction
Monday, January 25
The Background of Disunion and War
Wednesday, January 27
The Outbreak of War
Monday, February 1
Outlooks and Strategies
Wednesday, February 3
First Engagements
Monday, February 8
Early 1862 (I)
Wednesday, February 10
Early 1862 (II)
Monday, February 15
The Peninsula Campaign
Wednesday, February 17
The Antietam Campaign
Monday, February 22
Emancipation (I)
Wednesday, February 24
Emancipation (II)
Monday, March 1
First Midterm Examination
Wednesday, March 3
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg
Monday, March 8
The Vicksburg Campaign
Wednesday, March 10
Late 1863: Lincoln at Gettysburg
Monday, March 22
Military Campaigns of 1864
Wednesday, March 24
The U.S. Election of 1864
Monday, March 29
The crumbling Confederacy
Wednesday, March 31
End of the Civil War
Monday, April 5
Why the North Won, Why the South Lost
Wednesday, April 7
Second Midterm Examination
Monday, April 12
Reconstruction: Introduction
Wednesday, April 14
Reconstruction, 1864-1865
Monday, April 19
1866: The Fourteenth Amendment
Wednesday, April 21
Reconstruction in 1867-1868: Impeachment
Monday, April 26
Land for the Freed People?
Wednesday, April 28
Reconstruction Politics in the South
Monday, May 3
Redemption to 1874
Wednesday, May 5
The End of Reconstruction
EXAMINATIONS AND GRADING: In addition to the final examination (which will be comprehensive) on Friday, May 14, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., there will be two midterm exams--on Monday, March 2, and Wednesday, April 8, at the class period. Each of the midterms will count 25% of the course grade. The final examination will count 50% of the course grade. The exams will consist of short-answer and essay questions on the material from the classes and readings (including any handouts that may come your way from the instructor). Enrollment in this course constitutes a commitment on your part to be present at all of these examinations. Exams will not be given ahead of schedule, nor will any make-ups be given, for any reason.
COURSE Grading Scale:
93-100% A
90-92% A-
87-89% B+
83-86% B
80-82% B-
77-79% C+
73-76% C
70-72% C-
67-69% D+
63-66% D
60-62% D-
Below 60% F
READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignment for the first exam, Monday, March 1:
(1) McPherson and Hogue, Ordeal by Fire, pp. 139-334, A1-A16
(2) Guelzo, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation (all)
Assignment for the second exam, Wednesday, April 7:
(1) McPherson and Hogue, Ordeal by Fire, pp. 334-526, A16-A20
(2) Gallagher, Confederate War (all)
(3) Shaara, Killer Angels (all)
Assignment for the final exam, Friday, May 14:
(1) ALL OF THE ABOVE, plus
(2) McPherson and Hogue, Ordeal by Fire, pp. 533-671, A20-A21
(3) Tourgée, Fool's Errand (all)
Teaching Assistant:
John Vurpillat
john.vurpillat@mail.utexas.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:30-3:30, outside JGB 2.218
Services for Students with Disabilities:
Students with disabilities should arrange for appropriate
accommodations with the office of Services for Students with Disabilities, 471-6259
