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The United States to 1877 Virginia Scharff History 161, Section 004 Professor Scharff Office Hours: Tuesday, I 1-12 and 1:30-2:30, or by appointment Course Description: This class covers the history of what would become the United States, from the eve of European colonization to the end of Reconstruction. We will address the social, political, intellectual, and cultural dimensions of the nation's history. Students will be expected to attend class regularly, complete all reading assignments before class on the day due, participate in occasional class discussions, take three examinations, and write one short paper. Required Readings: All books are available in the UNM bookstore.
Examinations: Examinations will include essay and ID questions. Students will be expected to provide blue books, available in the UNM Bookstore.
Make-ups for the midterms will be available only in cases of documented emergencies. There wall be no make-up for the final. Papers: Students will be required to write one short paper, due October 24, in class. Papers will be marked down one full letter grade for every day late thereafter. In writing the paper, students will be expected to conform to standard rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and to demonstrate a grasp of how to write a thoughtful and coherent essay. Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments: All assignments are in Norton et al., A People and a Nation, except where the syllabus specifically notes readings in Nissenson, Tree of Life, or Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Week 1: Reading: Chapter 1 August 22: Introduction August 24: The New World, Spain and England Week 2: Reading: Chapter 2 August 29: New England August 31: Mercantilism Week 3: Reading: Chapter 3 September 5: The Age of Reason September 7: The Age of Enthusiasm Week 4: Reading: Chapter 4 September 12: Road to Revolution September 14: Road to Revolution Week 5: Reading: Chapters 5 and 6, pp. A-28-A-29 September 19:. Independence NOTE: BRING BOOKS TO CLASS TO DISCUSS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE September 21: Women, Indians and the Revolution: no new reading assignment Week 6: Reading: Chapter 7 September 26: FIRST MIDTERM EXAM: BRING BLUE BOOKS September 28: Confederation and Constitution Week 7: Reading: Chapter 8 and 9, pp. A-29 to A-37 October 3: The Constitution BRING BOOKS TO CLASS October 5: The New Republic: Begin reading Nissenson, Tree of Life Week 8: Reading: Chapter 9 October 10 The New Nation October 12 FALL BREAK; NO CLASS Week 9: Reading: Chapters 10 and 13 October 17: The North PAPER TOPIC TO BE ASSIGNED October 19: Slavery and the South Week 10: Reading: Chapter 12; Discuss Nissenson, Tree of Life October 24: The West October 26: American Society and Culture; Discuss Nissenson, Tree of Life PAPER DUE Week 11: Reading: Chapter 11 October 31: The Age of Jackson November 2: SECOND MIDTERM EXAM: BRING BLUE BOOKS Begin reading Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Week 12: Reading: Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass November 7: Slavery, Freedom, and Abolitionism BRING BOOK FOR CLASS DISCUSSION November 9: Manifest Destiny and the Mexican War Week 13: Reading: Chapter 14 November 14: Dilemmas of the 1850s November 16: Crisis of the 1850s and Election of 1860 Week 14: Reading: Chapter 15 November 21: Civil War November 23: THANKSGIVING BREAK; NO CLASS Week 15: Reading: review Chapter 15 November 28: Civil War and Emancipation November 30: Northern Drive to Victory and the War in the West Week 16: Reading: Chapter 16. December 5: Reconstruction December 7: The End of Reconstruction December 12: Final Exam, 3-5 p.m. |
