History 1000
Themes in American History
Spring 2003
Registration Code 2023; Section EG13
Mondays and Wednesday, 9:05 – 10:20 a.m.
David Potash
135 East 22nd Street, Room 812 (Box D-710)
212-802-2825; 212-802-2824 fax
David_Potash@baruch.cuny.edu
Office Hours: By appointment; I am on campus five days a week.
Description and Objectives
Spanning approximately 200 years, from the formation of the United States until the 1970s, this
introductory course in American history focuses upon the formation and sources of American
nationalism. Our primary concern is political history, but we will necessary spend a great deal of
time examining issues of race and the rise of the US as a world power. We will also explore the
United States’ dedication to democracy and democratic values. The questions we ask will
demand attention to social, economic and cultural concerns.
History is not the memorization and recitation of dates and facts. Instead, history calls for the
gathering and assessment of information and the creation and testing of arguments. The
assignments and activities in this course are designed accordingly – there is little here that will
help with Trivia Pursuit. The course’s objective is to expose students to a range of historical
material, primary and secondary sources, and to help them to make cogent arguments about that
material – doing history.
Requirements
Active participation is required in the classroom and attendance is essential. Classroom
discussions will be enhanced with occasional in-class assignments, and some assignments will be
on Blackboard. I encourage you to meet with me once in a one-on-one setting during the
semester, and I it would be best if that meeting happens earlier in the term.
Four absences will result in a grade of WU.
Assignments are due at the beginning of each class meeting. Assignments may be emailed to
me. A full grade will be deducted for each day an assignment is late; after four days, no credit
will be given for late assignments.
Be considerate to your colleagues. Before entering class, turn off all cell phones and beepers. If
you are late or have to leave early, choose a seat that will not disrupt discussion. The doors to
the classroom lock automatically, and I will not admit students after 9:20.
History 1000 - Spring 2003
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In addition to providing material in a typed or electronic format, you must familiarize yourself
with Blackboard and the web. URLs (web addresses) for pertinent sites will be provided and the
vast majority of the class information will be available electronically. Furthermore, some
assignments may be completed online. An extraordinary rich variety of historical information
can be accessed through the internet. If you need an email account, obtain one by following the
instructions on the Baruch College home page. Almost all of the course material will be
available through Blackboard, Baruch’s online course delivery system. We will review
Blackboard, which is available from the college’s home page.
Learning history does not offer much in the way of shortcuts. Most historical knowledge is
obtained through reading and reading takes time. A good rule of thumb is that you will need at
least 2-3 hours of study for each hour spent in the classroom. The pace of the course demands
that you keep up with the readings and other assignments. If you have difficulty maintaining the
schedule, meeting deadlines, or any other problems relating to the course, contact me
immediately. I am on campus 5 days a week and am always available through email.
Grading
Your grade for the course will consist of the following:
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Participation: attendance, active contributions to discussions and classroom exercises (in
person and on the web), as well as one substantive discussion/exchange with me (10%)
Mid-term Exam: essay/short answer (10%)
Final Exam: essay/short answer (10%)
4 Quizzes: multiple choice (20%)
5 Writing Assignments (50%)
Required Texts
Purchase the following textbooks, all of which are available in the Baruch Bookstore:
Eric Foner, The Story of American Freedom (NY: Norton, 1998)
Gary Gerstle, American Crucible (Princeton, 2002)
Other required readings and handouts will be posted via Blackboard on the web.
Recommended Texts
Students unfamiliar with US history are strongly encouraged to consider purchasing a
survey textbook. Many are good; but I recommend:
Berkin, Carol et. al., Making America (Houghton Mifflin)
Also, there is a wealth of information and strategies available in the following handbook:
Berkin, Carol and Anderson, Betty S., The History Handbook (Houghton Mifflin)
History 1000 - Spring 2003
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Schedule of Classes
(Subject to Revision)
1 – Monday
January 27
2 – Wednesday
January 29
3 – Monday
February 3
4 – Wednesday
February 5
5 – Monday
February 10
6 – Wednesday
February 19
7 – Monday
February 24
8 – Wednesday
February 26
9 – Monday
March 3
10 – Wednesday
March 5
11 – Monday
March 10
12 – Wednesday
March 12
13 – Monday
March 17
14 – Wednesday
March 19
15 – Monday
March 24
16 – Wednesday
March 26
17 – Monday
March 31
18 – Wednesday
April 2
Introduction
American values and colonial America
Revolution and the creation of the US
Read: AF 1-28 (Birth of American Freedom)
Declaration of Independence
Smith on reserve
Read: AF 29-46 (To Call it Freedom)
Read US Constitution & the Federalist
papers (#10 in particular)
Constitution & Federalist Papers
Introductory Quiz
Read: AF 47-68 (Empire of Liberty)
AF 69-94 (Boundaries of Freedom in the
Young Republic)
Read Frederick Douglass – selection
available via Blackboard
Civil War
Read: Handout – Mississippi Black Codes
Civil War & Reconstruction
Study Guide 2
Reconstruction:
Read: AF 95-113 (A Birth of New Freedom)
Gilded Age
Read: AF 114-137 (Liberty of Contract and
its Discontents)
Read: Chinese Exclusion Act
Progressive Era
Read: AF 138-161 (Progressive Freedom)
Problem of Progressivism
Read AC (Chapters 1 & 2)
Review for Midterm Exam
Study Guide 1
(HIS 1000 assessment)
Draft Writing Assignment 1
Quiz
Study Guide 3
Writing Assignment 2
MS Black Codes
Study Guide 4
Quiz
Study Guide 5
Writing Assignment 3
Midterm Exam
WWI and 1920s
Read: AF 162-193 (The Birth of Civil
Liberties)
Read AC (Chapter 3)
Study Guide 7
1920s continued
Writing Assignment 4
History 1000 - Spring 2003
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19 – Monday
April 7
20 – Wednesday
April 9
21 – Monday
April 14
22 – Tuesday
April 15
23 – Monday
April 28
24 – Wednesday
April 30
25 – Monday
May 5
26 – Wednesday
May 7
27 – Monday
May 12
28 – Wednesday
May 14
Week
May 17th
New Deal
Read: AF 194-218 (The New Deal and the
Redefinition of Freedom)
Read: AC (Chapter 4)
Study Guide 8
WWII
Read: AF 219-249 (Fighting for Freedom)
WWII
Read: AC (Chapter 5)
Cold War
Read: AF 250-273 (Cold War Freedom)
Read: AC (Chapter 6)
Study Guide 9
Quiz
Writing Assignment 5
Voting Rights Act, Civil Rights Act
Read: AF 274-306 (Sixties Freedom)
Read AC (Chapter 7)
Study Guide 11
Vietnam
Read AC (Chapter 8)
1970s-1980s
Read: AF 307-332 (Conservative Freedom)
Read: AC (Chapter 9)
Review for Final
Final Examination
Study Guide 12
History 1000 - Spring 2003
Study Guide 10
Quiz
Writing Assignment 6
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