Spring 2004
HIS 315K • United States, 1492-1865
| Unique | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 35545 |
TTh |
8:00 AM-9:30 AM |
WCH 1.120 |
CAREY |
Course Description
This is a general survey of American history from early European expansion through the end of the American Civil War. Because the class covers almost 400 years of history in North America, we have to focus our attention on certain subjects, and of course leave other things out. The course is divided into three major periods: imperial Europe and colonial America, the market revolution, and the crisis over slavery. Although these eras may be familiar to most of you, I hope that our perspective on them will be new (those who arent familiar with the basic narrative from high school history are encouraged to come see their teaching assistant or me during office hours). We will compare these periods by investigating similar themes in each. We will look at American history from the ground up, focusing on how every-day Americans lived, worked, and made their own history. We will also investigate how larger issues such as the development of capitalism and how the growth of state power impacted American history. Designed to accommodate 100 or more students. Survey of United States history from the colonial period through the Civil War. Partially fulfills legislative requirement for American history.
Grading Policy
In-Class Exam 10/7/03 30% 4-5 Page Paper 11/13/03 40% In-Class Exam 12/4/03 30%
Texts
William Cronon (1983). CHANGES IN THE LAND: INDIANS, COLONISTS, AND THE ECOLOGY OF NEW ENGLAND. Frederick Douglass (1845; reprint 1993). NARRATIVE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS, AN AMERICAN SLAVE. Elizabeth A. Fenn (2001). POX AMERICANA: THE GREAT SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC OF 1775-82. Eric Foner (1970; reprint 1995). FREE SOIL, FREE LABOR, FREE MEN: THE IDEOLOGY OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR. Carol Sheriff (1996). THE ARTIFICIAL RIVER: THE ERIE CANAL AND THE PARADOX OF PROGRESS, 1817-1862. Paul Johnson and Sean Wilentz (1994). THE KINGDOM OF MATHIAS: A STORY OF SEX AND SALVATION IN 19TH CENTURY AMERICA. Davidson, James West, et al. (2001). NATION OF NATIONS: A NARRATIVE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC. VOLUME I: TO 1865. Selected readings available online.
