Syllabus Schedule
Catalog Description:
A general survey of United States history from the discovery of America through the Civil War era. Satisfies one-half the legislative requirement of six semester hours in American history.
This course will introduce and expose you to those forces of human events that lead to the creation of the United States and contributed to the ongoing process of United States History. Acknowledging the importance of knowing critical dates and events, we nonetheless will seek to explore the many tangents and interpretations that look beyond mere definitions and explain the meaning and relevance of the past. This course is not an attempt to rehash the "traditional" themes that have so dominated contemporary history courses. Rather, we will delve into the parts played by all people, including minorities and women.
While studying the history of this country you should come to realize that in truth you are delving into the essential basics of one element of a greater whole. Human history has been, and remains, a continual chain of events, each having an effect on the other. The United States did not suddenly appear 200 years ago out of some mystic void. The thirteen colonies that banded together and declared their independence in 1776 could have found the roots of their actions, and indeed their character, at the dawn of civilization.
Certainly we will not attempt to study the whole history of man or even Western Civilization. We will, however diverge from the central theme of "United States" history in order to more fully understand and appreciate the diversity and plurality that this country represents.
The text, Give Me Liberty: Seagull Ed (V1) by Eric Foner and Flyover History by Myers are required for the course.
You will be expected to complete your reading assignments. If called upon in class to orally contribute something from your readings you will respond...