Early American History Course: HI 251 by Prof. Judy Kertész - Prof. Kertesz, Lecture notes of World History

Download Early American History Course: HI 251 by Prof. Judy Kertész - Prof. Kertesz and more Lecture notes World History in PDF only on Docsity! Kertész HI 251 1 HI 251: Early American History Spring Semester 2015 Withers 232 Prof. Judy Kertész Office Hours: Th 4:30 - 6:30pm Office: Withers Hall 369 Lecture: Tu/Th 3 - 4:15pm This course provides an introduction to the study of American history from the continent’s “beginnings” through the U.S. Civil War. Rather than attempt to address all the significant historical developments that took place across four centuries, we will focus on key themes which figure centrally in debates over the development of an “American consciousness” and the meaning of the “American experience.” The themes for this course are the “peopling” of North America, the development of settler colonialism, slavery, freedom and unfreedom, racial and sectional division, and westward expansion. By sacrificing "coverage" for in-depth analysis, we will pay particular attention to how people made history and the ways in which they narrate history. Just as critically, we will also focus on how historians do history and construct interpretations from various kinds of evidence, as well as why historians sometimes disagree about how to read and evaluate existing sources. Historical interpretation is always "contested terrain;” there is no singular “truth.” Yet history is never simply a matter of opinion where all points of view are equally valid. Historical interpretation involves creative investigation, argumentation based on the evidence, critical thinking, and logical analysis. Over the course of the semester, students will be expected to develop and to explain their own interpretations of the major issues in the study of early American history. Requirements As students in this course, you are expected to read for knowledge and write with the goal of exploring ideas. Instead of receiving a given grade, you are expected to earn it. Meeting the standard requirements for this course (attending lectures, completing all reading assignments, and handing in all written assignments) will earn you a letter grade of C. That is the default grade for this course. Solely working hard will not earn you a higher grade. Rather, your grade will be a reflection of the quality of your discussion participation and written work that in turn is evidence of the critical analytic skills necessary for doing and thinking history. Attendance Lecture meets twice per week, and discussion section once per week. Attendance is mandatory. Participation in discussion is expected. Because participation is contingent on attendance, it is not possible to make up participation. More information is found among the university’s attendance policies at http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/academic_affairs/pols_regs/REG205.00.4.php. More than three (3) unexcused absences will result in a failing grade. Persistent late arrivals and holding private conversations during class are strongly discouraged—they show disdain for your classmates and contribute to a chaotic environment. You will be asked to leave at the discretion of the professor/TA which will count as an unexcused absence. According to University policies, examples of emergency absences that may be excused include: Kertész HI 251 2 x Illness or injury when certified by an attending physician. Physicians on the Student Health Service staff do not provide written excuses. Because of student confidentiality, information can only be released directly by the Counseling Center or Student Health Services in case of crisis or with the student’s written authorization. x Death or serious illnesses in the family when documented appropriately. An attempt to verify deaths or serious illness will be made by the Student Organization Resource Center (12012 Talley Student Center, 515-3323) at the request of the instructor. Technology x The use of cell phones and texting is expressly forbidden. You will be asked to leave class/discussion for such an infraction which will then count as an unexcused absence. x Unfortunately, in past years, laptop use has proven too disruptive in a classroom setting. As a result, the use of laptops will NOT be permitted in the classroom. EXAMS Both the mid-term and final for this course are take-home exams in the form of an essay. You will be given a minimum of one week to respond to the exam prompt. Please keep in mind the following: x Both the mid-term and the final essay prompt will be posted on the moodle course server. x In order to pass this course, you must submit both the mid-term and the final when they are due. x Late exams are inadmissible. Academic Dishonesty If a student is found guilty of cheating or plagiarism―either copying the words of others or using the ideas of others without proper citation―that student will receive a grade of F for the course. NO EXCEPTIONS. It is the understanding and expectation of the professor that the student’s signature on any test or assignment means that the student neither gave nor received unauthorized aid. Visit: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/student_services/student_discipline/POL11.35.1.php for more information. Students with Disabilities If you need academic accommodations for a disability, please see me during the first week of class. Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with verifiable disabilities. In order to take advantage of available accommodations, students must register with Disability Services at http://www.ncsu.edu/provost/offices/affirm_action/dss. Class Participation Students are required to participate in class discussions on the readings and lectures. Students should be prepared to respond to the readings on the day that they are assigned. Attendance alone is not sufficient for full participation credit. Readings Students are responsible for reading and understanding the content of ALL assigned readings. No exceptions. The assigned TEXTS for this course are as follows: 1. SECONDARY SOURCE readings are listed in the syllabus for this course and are available for downloading on the moodle server: http://moodle.wolfware.ncsu.edu/.. 2. IN ADDITION, downloadable (other) required secondary and or PRIMARY SOURCE readings and assignments are posted to the moodle server: http://moodle.wolfware.ncsu.edu/.. 3. Questions accompany your assigned primary source readings. I strongly suggest that you regularly respond to these questions as per your posted assignments. 4. In some instances, HANDOUTS have been posted to the moodle server. Handouts are required readings and are intended to help contextualize the various themes under consideration throughout the semester. NOTE: 1. Each week you should consider the questions that accompany your primary source readings. You are strongly encouraged to answer (in writing) those questions that accompany sources called, “DOCUMENTS.” 2. You should evaluate your responses to questions based on the following criteria: a. How well you support and organize your historical arguments. b. The nature and quality of your argument(s) c. The evidence that you submit in order to support your argument(s) Writing As college students, you are expected to write proficiently, meaning your writing should reflect coherence, logic, and an attempt at thoughtful prose. A student who cannot express his or her ideas with the skill normally expected of literate adults will not pass this course, no matter how well the student performs other course requirements. If you want to improve your writing, talk to the professor. Kertész HI 251 5 Week 11: * * * MID - TERM DUE * * * March 17 - 19 T/Th The Interest of Nations x Michael Zuckerman, “The Power of Blackness,” in Almost Chosen People: Oblique Biographies in the American Grain (Oxford University Press, 1993): 175-218. x Document 8-3, pp. 154-59 x Document 8-4, pp. 159-64 x Document 9-1, pp. 169-72 Week 12: Abolishing Slavery Mar 24 - 26 T x Orlando Patterson, “Slavery,” Annual Review of Sociology 3, (1977), pp. 407-449. Week 13 Mar 31 x Document 9-3, pp. 177-81 x Document 9-4, pp. 181-86 x Document 11-1, pp. 211-14 x Document 11-3, pp. 218-23 Apr 2 * * * SPRING HOLIDAY * * * Week 14: Emancipation and War Apr 7-9- Tu/Th Union/Disunion/Freedom/Unfreedom x Document 13-1, pp. 251-55 x Document 13-3, pp. 259-63 x Document 13-4, pp. 263-67 x Document 14-4, pp. 280-83 x Document 16-3, pp. 321-26 Week 15: The NY Draft Riots and the Crucible of War Apr 14-16 Tu/Th Week 16: Apr 21 – 23 May 7 Thursday (4:15 pm Withers 369) * * * FINAL EXAM DUE* * * Kertész HI 251 6