Required Readings
Thomas Bell, Out of This Furnace
James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time
Tim O'Brien, If I Die In a Combat Zone
Paul Boyer, et al, The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People
(Vol. II, from 1865) Concise Edition
James J. Lorence, Enduring Voices: Document Sets
All of these books are available for purchase at the Durham Book Exchange and one copy of each will be placed on reserve in the Dimond Library.
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 that we are discussing to class with you.
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:
First paper
Mid-semester exam
Second paper
Final exam
Participation
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20%
20%
20%
20%
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 papers. The first, 3-5 pages (typed, double-spaced), will be an interpretive essay of one of the books used in the course (i.e., Bell, Baldwin, or O'Brien). I would like to have approximately the same number of students writing on each book; therefore, in the early part of the semester, you will be asked to submit your preferences for the book you would like to write about and I will do my best to accommodate everyone's wishes. These papers will be due on the day of the planned discussion. The second paper, 5-7 pages (typed, double-spaced), will be based on oral history interviews that you will conduct with a relative or friend. This paper will be due no later than December 13, 1999. More detailed descriptions of these two assignments are attached.
Late Papers
Assignments turned in late will be penalized a full letter grade for every day past due. Exceptions to this policy will be granted only in extreme cases.
Participation
This portion of your grade will be based on your attendance and participation in class discussions. Although the class is large, considerable participation in discussions is expected. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out if any assignments or announcements were made.
Help and Assistance
I will do everything possible to be accessible. My office hours are listed at the top of this syllabus and I am available by appointment as well. Please contact 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.
If you think you could use some assistance with your writing, check out the University Writing Center at Hamilton Smith Hall (862-3272). There you will find trained writing consultants who can help with all aspects of writing for a history course (though they are not an editing or proofreading service). The Center is an excellent resource; please take advantage of it.
