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Description
This one-semester lecture course examines major topics in American history
from the settlement of the North American continent to the present.
Significant themes include the relationship between slavery and freedom;
changes in the meaning of equality and natural rights over time; the
role of the United States in world economy and politics; and immigration
and the growth of multi-cultural society. Students will study a variety
of primary and secondary sources, both in print and on the web, and
will do several online exercises and short writing assignments.
Requirements
Class participation and quizzes – 15%
On-line exercises – 35%
3-page paper – 20%
Final exam (identifications and essays) – 30%
Quizzes and exams must be taken at class-time on the assigned day.
Only students with a written doctor’s excuse will be allowed to
take a makeup exam. No makeup quizzes will be given. Students’
lowest two quiz grades will be dropped.
We will have six online assignments over the course of the semester.
Instead of a regular class, you will be asked to study materials online
and answer questions about these materials in writing. Your response
will be due the following Monday. You can work at home or in a GMU lab.
Two lab assistants, James Hallbuk and Jeremy Boggs, will hold office
hours in Innovation Hall Rm. 336 on Fri. 12:30-2:30. They will
help you if you have any questions or technical difficulties.
The first of the online assignments will ask you to write a 3-page
paper that will count for 20% of your final grade.
Texts
Tindall and Shi, America: A Narrative History (T&S)
Each week you will be asked to read selected primary documents online
(see online version of the syllabus).
Week 1
Aug. 25 Introduction
Aug. 27 Contact and Eearly Settlement. Read
T&S, pp. 9-28
Aug. 28 Colonial America. Read T&S, pp. 29-102
Week 2
Sept. 1 No Class - Labor Day.
Sept. 3 The Age of Empire and the Atlantic Slave Trade. Read T&S, pp. 105-127. 129-158. View the first 8 images at the Images of African-American Slavery and Freedom site
Sept. 5 Online 3-page paper assignment: “Runaway
from Freedom.” Read instructions carefully. The 3-page paper
and excel spreadsheet are due Monday, Sept. 8.
Week 3
Sept. 8 Revolution. Read T&S, pp. 193-205. Read the Declaration
of Independence, T&S pp. A3-A7
Sept. 10 The Constitution. Read T&S, pp. 207-31. Read the Constution, T&S, pp. A16-A26.
Sept. 12 In-class quiz on readings for this week.
Week 4
Sept. 15 Federalism, Republicanism, and Sectionalism. Read T&S,
pp. 233-246, 252-256, 267-276, 295-311. Read the Bill of Rights, T&S,
pp. A26-A28.
Sept. 17 Jacksonian Democracy. Read T&S, pp. 329-360, “Our
Hearts are Sickened”: Letter from Chief John Ross of the Cherokee,
Georgia, 1836
Sept. 19 In-class quiz on this week’s readings.
Week 5
Sept. 22 Industry and Immigration, Read T&S, pp. 362-395.
Sept. 24 Religion and Reform. Read T&S, pp. 397-428, pp. 431-453
Sept. 26 On-line exercise: “Simutopia.”
Read instructions carefully. The Simutopia printout and 1-2 paragraph
description are due Monday, Sept. 29.
Week 6
Sept. 29 Slavery. Read T&S, pp. 473-496
Oct. 1 The Crisis of the Union. Read T&S, pp. 507-537. Read Slave
Narratives.
Oct. 3 In-class quiz on this week’s readings.
Week 7
Oct. 6 Civil War. Read T&S, pp. 545-590 (you can skip details of
battles).
Oct. 8 Civil War continued. View Civil
War Photographs.
Oct. 10 On-line exercise: “Women
and Equality.” Read instructions carefully. Written answers
to questions are due on Monday, Oct 13.
Week 8
Oct. 13 Columbus Day.
Oct. 15 Reconstruction. Read T&S, pp. 593-630.
Oct. 17 In-class quiz on this week’s readings.
Week 9
Oct. 20 Jim Crow and the Western Frontier. Read T&S, pp. 641-672.
Oct. 22 Business, Labor, and Immigration. Read T&S, pp. 675-750.
View early
variety stage films.
Oct. 24 Online exercise: “Narrative
Film.” Printout of the film strip and 2-paragraph explanation
are due Monday, Oct. 27.
Week 10
Oct. 27 Agrarian Revolt. Read T&S, pp. 752-785.
Oct 29 Imperialism, the Progressive Era, and World War I. Read T&S,
pp. 795-892. In-class video: excerpts from Birth of a Nation.
Oct. 31 In-class quiz on this week’s readings.
Week 11
Nov. 3 The 1920s and Consumer Culture. Read T&S, pp. 894-945. Music:
"Yes, Sir That's My Baby";
"Weather Bird Rag"
Nov. 5 The Great Depression and the New Deal. Read T&S, pp. 947-988.
In-class video: excerpts from Modern Times.
Nov. 7 Online exercise: “Understanding
Advertising.” Read instructions carefully. Two historical
ads and 1-paragraph analysis of each are due Monday, Nov. 10.
Week 12
Nov. 10 World War II. Read T&S, pp. 988-1052.
Nov. 12 Cold War. Read T&S, pp. 1063-1122. In-class video: excerpts
from The Atomic Cafe
Nov. 14 In-class quiz on this week’s readings.
Week 13
Nov. 17 Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s. Read T&S, pp. 1124-1153.
Nov. 19 Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Read T&S, pp. 1155-1181.
In-class video: selections from Rock & Roll, vol. 1.
Nov. 21 Vietnam and the 1970s. Read T&S, pp. 1181-1228.
Week 14
Nov. 24 Online exercise: “Woodstock
Nation, 1967-1972”--answer questions posed here. To listen
to the songs, go to the
old version. You will need the list
of 20 popular movies of 1970s to answer the questions. Answers to
questions, citing the music and movie sources you have considered, are
due Monday, Dec. 1.
Nov. 26 No Class - Thanksgiving Break.
Nov. 28 No Class - Thanksgiving Break.
Week 15
Dec. 1 Conservative Reaction. Read T&S, pp. 1231-1266. In-class
video: selections from Roger and Me
Dec. 3 America and the New World Order. Read T&S, 1268-1307.
Dec. 5 Review for Final Exam.
Take-Home Final Exam Is Due on Monday,
December 15.
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