History 3352
The American Civil War
Professor Donald S. Frazier, Ph.D.
Office: 410 Appleton, Buffalo Gap, Texas
Phone: 793-3861 office/ 668-6222 cell
Class Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., from October 20 through December
13.
BOOKS: Available from the Texas History Store at Buffalo Gap Historic Village
McWhiney, Grady. The Civil War: A Concise Account by a Noted Southern Historian
Waugh, John C. 20 Good Reasons to Study the Civil War.
CLASSROOM: The Ann and Lee Rode Gallery at the Buffalo Gap Historic Village in Buffalo
Gap, Texas, 79508.
Enter at the South Gate before 6 p.m. Only water in closed containers is allowed. We will have
two breaks during the course of class. Snacks and soft drinks may be consumed on the grounds
during the course of these breaks. There is no smoking on the grounds of the Buffalo Gap
Historic Village.
DIRECTIONS FROM McMURRY UNIVERSITY:
From campus, turn left onto Sayles Boulevard and head south in the direction of the Mall of
Abilene. This road becomes Buffalo Gap Road (FM 89) just a few blocks south of campus.
Continue on for about a dozen miles. When you arrive in town, turn right on North Street (you
will see several signs directing you to the Buffalo Gap Historic Village) and proceed one and one
half blocks. Parking is on the margins of the road.
The South Gate will be our access point.
McM
Buffalo Gap Road
North
Street
BGHV
My
office
MAP
Statement of Purpose:
Students should anticipate learning and demonstrating their enhanced
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Knowledge of core factual data including major Mexican history trends, figures,
concepts, and events;
Ability to conduct research and collect data on major Mexican history trends, figures,
concepts, and events, then analyze, draw conclusions, and make interpretations from this
research;
Reading/writing/editing/composition skills;
Effective public presentation skills;
Personal discipline and study habit skills.
Grading sources:
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Content Mastery (multiple choice tests, PowerPoint demonstrations, Fora) 60%
Research and Interpretation Mastery (PowerPoint, Fora)
Demonstration of written communication skills (Fora)
Public Presentation (PowerPoint)
10%
10%
10%
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Intellectual discipline and study skills (attending class, preparing assignments)
10%
Grading Weights:
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Multiple Choice Exams
Classroom Presentations
For a (plural of Forum)
Regimental History
30%
30%
30%
10%
A NOTE ON ATTENDENCE and COMMITTMENT
This is a mini-term class. Each class period is the equivalent of an entire week in the long
semester. I understand missing one class period; two under unusual circumstances. If you miss
three, I must drop you from the class. The nature of this class is about the interaction of the
students with the professor and fellow students.
There are many, many online class options (University of Phoenix comes to mind). You are
paying for access to an expert in this field and to a learning community all engaged in a specific
study with articulated outcomes. There is no online equivalent to that.
Therefore, if you cannot commit to the meeting requirements of this class, don’t take it. This is
critical for planning purposes and for the educational atmosphere and ambience of the class. If
you have decided that this opportunity is really beyond your level of maturity or commitment, no
hard feelings, just don’t burden this class, its professor, or its attendees with your vacillation.
Social activities and work are not excused reasons for non-attendance.
Do the right thing. Don’t take the class if you aren’t serious about mastering the subject and
participating fully.
In return for your commitment, the professor of this course will affirm to present engaging,
thoughtful, and provocative classroom activities designed to help you achieve mastery of the
subject.
Classroom supplies:
Bring a laptop computer (or equivalent smart phone, tablet, etc.) to class. You will need these to
prepare presentations, look up information on the provided WiFi network, access online exams,
or collaborate with fellow students.
BOOKS and ASSIGNED READINGS:
There are two very brief books assigned to this class that are designed to provide maps and
strategic overview for student edification. The philosophy of teaching in this class is heavily
focused on the students’ ability to take their own intellectual curiosity in directions of their own
choosing under the careful guidance and tutelage of the professor. Therefore, be prepared to use
free resources like the library, websites, study guides, and the like to harvest information from
which to draw your interpretations and conclusions. This unbridled access to content
information should be reflected in superior and thoughtful postings in the assigned discussion
forums and presentations.
ASSIGNMENTS:
PowerPoint Presentations
In today’s world, the ability to make a cogent and engaging presentation to peers, potential
customers, or designated constituencies is a fact of life. The lingua franca of this exchange of
ideas and information is PowerPoint or similar presentation software. As such, students will be
assigned topics for which they will prepare a brief media presentation of no longer than 10
minutes. Every presentation should end with a panel that lists the sources used to prepare the
presentation.
Civil War Unit Histories:
Doing original research involving a variety of sources, students will prepare a unit history/dossier of a regiment,
ship, battery, or battalion from the American Civil War.
Each dossier will consist of the following:
PAGE ONE:
A. Name of the Unit
B. IMAGE OF SOMETHING PERTAINING TO THE UNIT (flag, men who served, etc.)
C. Brief synopsis of the unit, one paragraph or so:
(Example: The 1st Texas Camel Lancers was a mounted unit of circus performers raised in the vicinity of Rusk,
Texas. Organized in September 1862, Colonel Marvin Brokeback commanded the unit and led it to the mountains
of Kentucky. Here the unit performed admirably in a variety of functions, mostly involved in scouting the rear of
enemy formations and looking for vulnerabilities that could be tactically and strategically exploited. By the war's
end, the unit had mostly served with the Army of Tennessee, had lost few men in combat, and returned to Texas.
They surrendered on June 7, 1867, clearly unaware of their surroundings.
PAGE TWO:
A. A resume or timeline form of a unit history and chronology
B. A map showing where they fought
PAGE THREE:
A.
A one page assessment of their strengths, weaknesses, and participation in the war.
(Example: One of the most bizarre of Civil War Units, the 1st Texas Camel Lancers were atypical in their tactics
and approaches . . . . The baptism of fire came for the 1st Texas Camel Lancers at the Battle of Big Cobb Creek.
There, Colonel Brokeback, in a gallant gesture, . . . . By the end of the war, the 1st Texas Camel Lancers had
proven that the idea of mounted pig stickers on desert creature was an idea that . . . .
Online Examinations
This class will be facilitated with its own MOODLE site. Students will take their exams on this
site. They will be timed. Collaboration on these exams is acceptable. Life is often about
teamwork and resourcefulness. So it is in this class. However, remember this exam is timed,
and every participant will be taking a unique exam.
Online Forums
On Moodle, students will be tasked with participating in discussion for a where they will wrestle
with particular questions posed by the professor. The forum assigned with an opening and
closing date. These forums will not be reopened for any reason. If you did not take advantage of
the opportunity during the time allotted, it will have a negative impact on your grade.
INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR
DATE
October 20
In Class
Introduction to Class
Causes of the War
“Chapter 1: A
MORE PERFECT
UNION”
Outside of Class
Prepare Brief PowerPoint
Presentations (timed to 5-10
minutes) :
SECTIONAL CRISES
World Wide
Web
(Photos,
illustrations,
and
information);
Library
Jefferson Davis
Episode One (1.5
hours)
October 25
(Tuesday)
Resources
20 Good
Reasons to
Study the
Civil War
Student Power
Point Presentations
(1.5 hours)
Bad Blood
(1.5 Hours)
October 27
“Chapter 2: New
Nations”
Prepare Brief PowerPoint
Presentations (timed to 5-10
minutes):
“Chapter 3: “The
American Profession
of Arms”
STRATEGY, WEAPONS,
TACTICS
World Wide
Web
(Photos,
illustrations,
and
information);
Library
“Chapter 4:
Organizing Armies”
November 1
(Tuesday)
Jefferson Davis:
Episode Two (1.5
Hours)
Civil War Regimental Project
Launches
McWhiney,
The Civil War
Researching the Civil
War
November 3
“Chapter 5: The
Rush to the Colors”
World Wide
Web
(Photos,
illustrations,
and
information);
Library
Student Power Point
Presentations (1.5
hours)
November 8
(Tuesday)
Ride with the Devil
(2.5 Hours)
Prepare Brief PowerPoint
Presentations (timed to 5-10
minutes):
BATTLES AND LEADERS
November 10
“Chapter 6: A Winter
of Waiting”
Student Power
Point Presentations
(1.5 hours)
November 15
(Tuesday)
November 17
Pharaoh’s Army (1.5
Hours)
Prepare Brief PowerPoint
Presentations (timed to 5-10
minutes):
“Chapter 7: Serious
Killing”
BATTLES AND LEADERS
Skirmish Drill
COURT HOUSE
Student Power
Point Presentations
(1.5 hours)
November 22
(Tuesday)
“Chapter 8: Rebel
Parry, Rebel Thrust”
November 29
(Tuesday)
“Chapter 9: The Will
to Fight”
Prepare Brief PowerPoint
Presentations (timed to 5-10
minutes):
BATTLES AND LEADERS
“Chapter 10: American
Communities at War”
Student Power
Point Presentations
(1.5 hours)
December 1
Glory (2 hours)
December 6
“Chapter 11: The Year
(Tuesday)
of Decision, 1863”
“Chapter 12: War is
Killing, War is Hell”
Chapter 13: Breaking
the South
December 8
December 13
(Tuesday)
Shenandoah (2 hours)
“Chapter 14: Lessons
of War”
Jefferson Davis
Episode 3 (1.5 Hours)
Unit Histories are Due