Arkansas History
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HIST 4355
Fall 2010
Wednesday 6:00-8:40 p.m.
Arkansas Studies Institute
401 President Clinton Avenue
Room 124
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE: The purpose of this course is to trace the history of Arkansas
from prehistoric times to the present. The course will follow several themes including
exploration, settlement and cultural conflicts, sectional struggles, and the political history of the
state. Special emphasis will be given to people who influenced Arkansas history and culture.
Dr. Trey Berry
Office:
Department of Arkansas Heritage
1500 Tower Building
323 Center Street
Little Rock, AR 72201
Tel.#
(501) 416-9425
(501) 324-9157
Office Hours: MONDAY- WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
TUESDAY & THURSDAY --------------- 2:00 -- 4:00 p.m.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Exams:
There will be three major exams during the semester. These exams are all in essay form. All
exams are worth 100 points and are based only on classroom lecture information. Make-up
exams will be given the week before final exams. A student must inform the instructor before
the exam if they are going to be absent. There will be a comprehensive component to the final
exam. “Using five examples, discuss events, eras, or people who reinforced the positive
and/or negative national image of Arkansas.”
Reading Quizzes:
Twelve to fourteen reading quizzes will be given during the semester. All
reading quizzes are worth 10 points. There are no make-ups for missed
reading quizzes (unless excused by an official school activity). If a student has perfect
attendance at the end of the semester, they will be able to drop their lowest quiz score.
Research Paper:
Each student is required to complete a 6-8 page original research paper on a small Arkansas
community. These papers are to be double spaced with bibliography included. Students must use
footnotes or endnotes and at least three primary sources and four secondary sources. Wellwritten papers may be submitted the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture for
publication. More information will be given at a later date.
Important dates for the research paper requirement are:
Wednesday, September 15 - Research topic due and approved by the instructor
Wednesday, October 27 --- First Draft Due - 100 points (First Draft is not a Rough Draft)
Wednesday, November 17 - Final Draft Due - 100 points
LATE PAPERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!
Plagiarism:
Students cheating on any assigned work will be given “0” points for that assignment and may be
administratively withdrawn from the class.
Attendance: Attendance is crucial! Upon the third (3rd) absence a student will be lowered
one letter grade for the course. After this, a student’s grade will be lowered a letter
grade for each additional absence. School academic or sports trips are the only
exception to this rule.
Assigned Texts:
Bolton, S. Charles. Arkansas, 1800-1860 Remote and Restless, University of Arkansas Press,
1998.
DeBlack, Thomas. With Fire and Sword: Arkansas, 1861-1874. University of Arkansas Press,
2003.
Moneyhon, Carl. Arkansas and the New South, 1874-1929. University of Arkansas Press,
1997.
Johnson, Ben. Arkansas and Modern America, 1930-1999. University of Arkansas Press,
2000.
Berry, Trey and Kyle Day. Arkansas History: A Collegiate Reader. Fountainhead Press, 2009.
Grading Scale:
100 - 90 = A
89 - 80 = B
79 - 70 = C
69 - 60 = D
59 = “We all know!”
Special Needs:
It is the policy of UALR to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law, state
law, and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities. Any student with a
disability, who needs accommodation for seating placement, or in arrangements for
examinations, should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. The chair of the
department offering this course is also available to assist with accommodations. Students with
disabilities are also encouraged to contact the Office of Disability Support Services, which is
located in the Donaghey Student Center RM 102, Tel.# 569-3143.
Course Goals:
To assist you in:
1. Understanding history as a discipline.
2. Using research methodology used by historians.
3. Gaining an awareness of the key influences shaping Arkansas culture.
4. Having an appreciation in Arkansas’s distinctiveness in the family of states.
5. Understanding the timeline of Arkansas history.
** I have an open door policy. At any time you would like to come by and talk about the
course or just about life - please feel free to do so at your convenience.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 25 – Introduction to the Course/Native Peoples
Wednesday, September 1 – European Exploration/ Impact of “First Contact”
Wednesday, September 8 – Arkansas Post/ Louisiana Purchase/ Territorial Ark.
Wednesday, September 15 – Territorial Arkansas/William Woodruff/ Little Rock
RESEARCH TOPICS DUE
Wednesday, September 22 – Slavery/ Sectionalism/ Road to the Civil War
Wednesday, September 29 – EXAM
#1 / The Civil War in Arkansas and Nation
Wednesday, October 6 – The Civil War and Reconstruction
Wednesday, October 13 – Brooks-Baxter War/ Militia War/ Redeemers
Wednesday, October 20 - Railroads/Timber/ Environment/ Jeff Davis/Reform Govs
Wednesday, October 27 – “Political and Economic Slavery”/ Elaine Riots/
FIRST DRAFT OF RESEARCH PAPER DUE
Wednesday, November 3 – EXAM
#2 / “Roaring” 1920s?/ Flood/Great Depression
Wednesday, November 10 – Great Depression and WWII
Wednesday, November 17 – Civil Rights and Arkansas
FINAL DRAFT OF RESEARCH PAPER DUE
Wednesday, November 24 – Civil Rights/ Rockefeller
Wednesday, December 1 – Bumpers/Pryor/ Clinton/ Huckabee/
REVIEW FOR FINAL EXAM