Course Overview
This course is a survey of American history from the arrival of Europeans in the New World through the Civil War and Reconstruction. We will explore the social, economic, and political developments in America during the Colonial, Revolutionary, antebellum and Civil War periods. Throughout the course we will attempt to view these developments from a variety of perspectives, focusing not just on politicians and statesmen in Washington, but also on the experiences of "ordinary" Americans of diverse backgrounds in all regions of the nation.
Required Readings
Mary Beth Norton, et al, A People and a Nation (volume I)
Nancy F. Cott, et al, Root of Bitterness: Documents of the Social History of American Women
Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Theda Perdue and Michael D. Green, The Cherokee Removal
Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
This course relies heavily on your participation. Every class meeting will include some discussion. To get the most out of the discussions, each of us must take responsibility for being prepared and for sustaining the discourse. This means that you must complete and think about the readings before you come to class. Always bring the book/handout that we are discussing to class with you. Each week you will write a 1 to 2 page (typed, double-spaced) response paper which will help you to prepare for discussion. I will collect these papers each week and they will count as part of your class participation grade.
N.B. Like most history courses, this one requires a considerable amount of reading and it can be easy to fall behind. Please budget your time accordingly. Readings will be heavier for some weeks and lighter for others. Try to use the lighter weeks to your advantage: e.g., read ahead on an upcoming assignment, or catch up in the text.
Assignments and Grades
Your final grade in this course will be calculated as follows:
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First paper
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20%
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Second paper
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20%
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| Oral history paper
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20%
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| Final exam
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20%
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| Participation
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20%
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Exams
You will take two examinations covering material from lectures, readings, and discussions. The final exam will not be cumulative but will cover material presented since the mid-semester exam.
Papers
You will write two short (3-5 pages) papers. These interpretive essay assignments will require you to critically examine and interpret primary source materials that we will be using in this course (e.g., the Cott, Franklin, Douglass, or Perdue books, and additional handouts). You will receive more detailed descriptions of these assignments in separate handouts.
Participation
This portion of your grade will be based on your participation in class discussions and your response papers. My assumption is that everyone will get full credit for response papers and participation. This writing will not be graded in the conventional sense. Everyone who submits their weekly response papers in an acceptable fashion will receive full credit. Excellence will be rewarded with extra credit. Only those whose work is missing, sloppy, or very poor will lose credit.
Because we meet only once each week, consistent attendance is expected. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out if any assignments or announcements were made. Assignments turned in late will be penalized. All assignments (including the weekly response papers) must be completed to pass the course.
Help and Assistance
Although I do not have an office here at UNHM, I will do everything possible to be accessible. In addition to being here an hour before class each week, I will be available after class and by appointment as well. Please call me at home (before 9:00 p.m.) If you have any questions about any aspect of this course. If I am not there, leave a message on the machine, and I will respond as soon as possible. In addition, I try to check my e-mail every day: msfoley@hopper.unh.edu.
In addition, please be aware of the numerous services offered at the UNHM Learning Center. The Learning Center is a place where ALL students may strengthen skills needed to succeed in college. At the Learning Center you will find staff interested in your progress and willing to meet with you at convenient times. Free tutoring is available in reading, writing, study skills, and some content areas. There are also free workshops, seminars, and labs for you to attend. These are positive, friendly, and informative, and will provide you with useful tips for succeeding at
UNHM. Recent Learning Center workshops have included: Time Management and Study Skills;
Notetaking and Notemaking; Reading College Textbooks; Preparing for and Taking Objective Tests; Preparing for and Taking Essay Exams. The Learning Center is located in room 203 of French Hall. Their telephone number is 668-0700, ext. 255.
