History 210
Westminster College, Fall 2012
MWF, 10:30 – 11:30 am, PH 207
Dr. Timothy Cuff
PH 320, x6152
cufft@westminster.edu
PENNSYLVANIA HISTORY
Purpose: This class is intended to provide students with the opportunity to gain an introductory understanding
of the social, political, and economic developments which have characterized Pennsylvania from its colonial
roots through the de-industrialization of the 1970s and 1980s and the individuals who helped shape these
events. It will also provide an introductory understanding of the geography of the Commonwealth.
Goals:
1) Students will gain an introductory understanding of the social, political, and economic developments which
have characterized Pennsylvania from its beginnings through the de-industrialization of the 1970s and 1980s.
Students will gain an understanding of and appreciation for the individuals whose actions influenced these
processes.
2) Students will gain an appreciation for the inter-relatedness of political, social, and economic developments in
the past. Students will also gain insight into the importance of environmental, demographic and technological
influences in enabling/constraining individual and/or societal actions.
3) Students will gain an appreciation for the importance of evaluating historical actions (or contemporary ones)
based upon the implicit or explicit assumptions (world view) which undergird an actor's decisions.
4) Students will gain an appreciation of the nature of historical scholarship and of the relevance of historical
understanding in contemporary life. In particular, they will see that scholarly understanding of the past is not
static. Rather, it changes over time and such variations influence the political and economic policies put into
place in any era.
Outcomes:
Following completion of History 210:
1) Students will understand and be able to describe the rationale for colonial settlement and the social and
political philosophy which animated the settlement and organization of the colony.
2) Students will understand and be able to trace the geographic growth of Pennsylvania from its earliest
colonial definition to the current geographic definition of the state including the nature of county
genealogy.
3) Students will understand and be able to locate and describe the physical features, climate regions,
natural resource deposits, and major urban areas of the state.
4) Students will understand and be able to describe the differences, at a conceptual level, between the
various state constitutions under which Pennsylvania has operated.
5) Students will understand and be able to describe, at an introductory level, the course of economic
development, urbanization, and demographic change in Pennsylvania over its history and how this
evolution has affected politics at the local and state level.
6) Students will understand and be able to describe the role of noteworthy Pennsylvanians in key events in
Pennsylvania and U.S. national history including, but not limited to, the Revolutionary War, the Market
Revolution, the Civil War, industrialization and unionization, World Wars I and II, the New Deal
programs, and de-industrialization.
7) Students will understand and be able to describe the differences between primary and secondary sources
in historical study.
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Primary Course Texts
Required:
Pennsylvania: History of the Commonwealth, Miller and Pencak
The Face of Decline: The Pennsylvania Anthracite Region in the Twentieth Century, Dublin and Licht
Out of this Furnace, Bell
Sweet Land of Liberty: The Ordeal of the American Revolution
in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, Fox
Optional:
Pennsylvania and the Federal Constitution, Crist
The Iron Industry in Pennsylvania, Eggert
Additional readings may be assigned and placed on reserve in McGill Library or via the R:drive.
Assignments:
Quizzes – 2 (each 5% of grade, 10% of grade total). Questions will be drawn from term/concepts lists
(including map identification items) distributed to students throughout the term.
Examinations – Midterm (22.5% of final grade) and Final (27.5% of final grade) Combination of
objective and essay questions. Questions will be drawn from term/concepts lists (including map
identification items) distributed to students throughout the term.
Assignment X –. A full description of the assignment will be available on the R:drive by October 1.
(12.5% of final grade). This assignment will be discussed in class and students in the class will
have input in the assignment definition.
Book Review -- A three to four page book review of one of several optional texts. 12.5% of final
grade. A full description of the assignment and list of books to review will be available on the
R:drive by October 1.
Class participation will account for 15% of the final grade. The level of class participation will be
evaluated based on the extent of classroom discussion involvement, apparent preparation for
class, and a series of small out-of-class or in-class assignments. A student who attends all
classes and says nothing in class the entire term will receive 80% of the possible participation
points. Students missing more than 3 classes for any combination of reasons should anticipate a
reduction in their final grade.
Detailed descriptions and requirements for each of the above will be made available to students well in advance
of the due dates noted in the daily schedule. These descriptions will also be available on the "R: drive."
Explanations of how these assignments will be evaluated, in most instances, will also be available on the “R:
drive.”
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day noted. Do not miss class trying to finish an
assignment. It will already be too late. Assignments handed in more than 5 minutes after the beginning of
class will be considered late.
Reading--The assigned reading for a particular date should be completed prior to attending that day's class.
Your ability to comprehend lectures and benefit from discussions will be enhanced by having completed the
assigned reading. Students are responsible for being able to address (i.e. provide an answer/comment/question
History 210
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based on a thoughtful reading of the material) topics in every reading. Inability to address material will be the
basis for reduction in the participation grade.
Make-up Examinations—Make-up quizzes/exams will only be given in the event of 1) doctor excuse verified
illness or 2) authorized and verified college-related activities. A make-up examination for the final examination
will be given only due to illness verified by a doctor's excuse.
Incomplete Grades--Incomplete grades will be awarded only when students contact Dr. Cuff in advance of
assigned due dates and explain the reasons for their failure to complete the assigned work on time. Failure to do
so will result in a lowered grade for the assignment. Unless all course requirements are fulfilled (or other
arrangements are made) by the end of the term you will receive an "F" for the course.
Extra Credit-- No "extra credit" will be given.
Anticipate an average of 2-3 hours' worth of work outside of class for every hour spent in class for this (and
any) college course. You should expect 6-9 hours of outside work per week for this class. [Note: Therefore,
students registered for 15 credit hours should expect 30-45 hours worth of work outside of class each
week.]
Academic Integrity
“Central to the purpose and pursuit of any academic community is academic integrity. All members of the
Westminster community, including students, faculty, staff, and administrators, are expected to maintain the
highest standards of honesty and integrity, in keeping with the philosophy and mission of the College.”
[Westminster College Undergraduate Catalog, 2012-2013, p. 73-78.] In other words, as you learned in
kindergarten, do your own work, keep your eyes on your own paper, and treat others as you’d like to be treated.
As per the portion of the College’s academic integrity policy cited above, (and described in full in the College
catalog), violations of the expectation of academic integrity will be dealt with seriously. Any work deemed to
be plagiarized will, at minimum, result in a grade of a zero for the assignment and potentially failure in the
course. Similar consequences will flow from other violations of the expectation of complete academic integrity.
Additionally, students should be aware that across the College and in this class, Internet based software
operated by Turn-it-in.Com will be in use this term and for the foreseeable future. This software has been made
available both to enable students to verify that their writing is plagiarism free and by faculty to check student
work for originality. While Dr. Cuff will not necessarily use Turn-it-in.com for all assignments, be aware that
any and all assignments are eligible for such review.
Needs for Special Accommodation
Students with special needs of a physical or academic nature should speak with Dr. Cuff so that
accommodations, consistent with college policy, can be instituted.
Office Hours -- I will be available for student consultation (or friendly visits) on Monday, and Wednesday from
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.; and Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; and other times by appointment.
Please feel free to contact me by email with questions or concerns at other times. Periodically, I will send
assignment clarifications, notices, and/or items of interest to each member of the class by email. Be sure
to check your email several times each week for such items.
History 210
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History 210—Weekly Syllabus Fall 2012
August 29
History 210: An Introduction
August 31
The Nature of History and the
Emergence of Social History
Reading: M/P: ix-xxi, 371-385
September 3
September 5
September 7
The Geography of Pennsylvania: An
Introduction and Learning from Primary
Source Documents
The First “Pennsylvanians”
The First “Pennsylvanians”
(continued)
Reading: M/P: 10-46
Reading: M/P: 1-10, 389-395
D/L: 1-10
September 10
September 12
September 14
Establishment and Growth of the
“Pennsylvania Colony (ies)”
Establishment and Growth of the
“Pennsylvania Colony (ies)”
Establishment and Growth of the
“Pennsylvania Colony (ies)”
Reading: M/P: 47-61
Reading: M/P: 61-100, Penn’s Charter
(R:drive)
September 17
September 19
September 21
Pennsylvania in Revolution and Political
“Revision”
Pennsylvania in Revolution and Political
“Revision”
Quiz
Reading: M/P: 101-133,
Fox: Preface, Introduction, and
Afterword
(optional:Eggert, Preface
and 1-26)
Reading: Pennsylvania Constitutions of
1776 and 1790(R:drive)
Fox: 1-35
(optional: Crist, 1-2, 5-20)
September 24
September 26
September 28
Pennsylvania in Revolution and Political
“Revision”
Pennsylvania in Revolution and
Political “Revision”
Pennsylvania in Revolution and Political
“Revision”
Pennsylvania in Revolution and
Political “Revision”
Reading: Fox: 36-72
Reading: M/P: 133-152
Fox: 73-126
Reading: Pennsylvania Constitutions of
1776 and 1790
Fox: 127-156
(optional: Crist, 21-66)
October 1
October 3
October 5
Antebellum Pennsylvania: Increases in
Democracy, State Power, Demographic and
Social Variety and Market Integration
Antebellum Pennsylvania: Increases in
Democracy, State Power, Demographic
and Social Variety and Market
Integration
Antebellum Pennsylvania: Increases
in Democracy, State Power,
Demographic and Social Variety and
Market Integration
Reading: M/P: 153-178
Reading: (optional: Eggert: 27-63)
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October 8
October 10
October 12
Antebellum Pennsylvania: Increases in
Democracy, State Power, Demographic and
Social Variety and Market Integration
Antebellum Pennsylvania: Increases in
Democracy, State Power, Demographic
and Social Variety and Market
Integration
Antebellum Pennsylvania: Increases
in Democracy, State Power,
Demographic and Social Variety and
Market Integration
Reading: M/P: 178-202
Reading: D/L: 10-34
Reading: Selections from State
Constitution of 1838
October 15
October 17
October 19
Civil War Along and Above the MasonDixon Line
Civil War Along and Above the MasonDixon Line
Mid-term Examination
October 22
October 24
October 26
Civil War Along and Above the MasonDixon Line
Civil War Along and Above the MasonDixon Line
Late Nineteenth Century
Industrialization and Urbanization
October 29
October 31
November 2
Fall Break
Late Nineteenth Century Industrialization
and Urbanization
Quiz
October 30 (Monday classes on Tuesday)
Reading: Reading: M/P: 257-270
(optional: Eggert, 64-92)
Reading:
M/P: 203-218
Reading: M/P: 218-256
SSHA Meeting
Vancouver, BC
Late Nineteenth Century Industrialization
and Urbanization Reading: Bell, 1-117
November 5
November 7
November 9
Political Machines and Progressivism in
Pennsylvania
Reading: M/P: 270-284 and
Selections from
State Constitution of 1874
Bell: 119-258
Political Machines and Progressivism in
Pennsylvania
Demographic Change and Social
Tension
Reading: D/L: 35-57
Reading: M/P: 284-292
November 12
November 14
November 16
Demographic Change and Social Tension
Depression and Labor
Depression and Labor
Reading: Bell: 259-362
Reading: D/L: 58-84
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November 19
November 21
November 23
Depression and Labor
Thanksgiving Break
No Class Meeting
Thanksgiving Break
No Class Meeting
November 28
November 30
1950s and 1960s, Steel, Coal, and RR’s:
A Long Decline
1950s and 1960s, Steel, Coal, and
RR’s: A Long Decline
Reading: M/P: 317-332
D/L: 85-113
Reading: M/P: 332-349
D/L: 114-135
December 3
December 5
December 7
Economic and Social Strife:
De-Industrialization and Renewal??
Economic and Social Strife:
De-Industrialization and Renewal??
Economic and Social Strife:
De-Industrialization and Renewal??
Reading: D/L: 136-156
Reading: M/P: 349-370
D/L: 157-170
Reading: M/P: 371-385
D/L: 171-200
Reading: M/P: 292-316
Bell: 362-413
Book Review Due, Nov 20, 4 pm
November 26
Depression and Labor
Project X Due
December 14 (Friday)
Final Exam
8:00 - 10:30 a.m.