Spring 2012
HIST 151-1
U.S. History to 1877
T/Th 7:30-8:45
BRNG 2280
Course Description
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction
to the major political, economic, social, and cultural
developments in the United States from the initial contact of
Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans through
Reconstruction. The principal themes of the class will be the
effect of contact among peoples of three different continents, the
creation of an "American" people, and the evolving definitions
of freedom and equality. Throughout the semester, we will
explore America's history from a variety of different
perspectives thus broadening (and challenging) our interpretation
of who was an American, looking for patterns of change and
continuity over time.
As an introductory course, it is designed to develop students’
skills in historical analysis – reading and interpreting primary
resources, evaluating historical scholarship, and applying
insights from history to your daily lives.
About the Texts
All assigned books are available for
purchase at the bookstore. You
might, however, prefer to purchase
the ebook version of Tindall and
Shi (considerably cheaper than the
book). It can be found at:
http://books.wwnorton.com/nortoneb
ooks/BuyChoice.aspx?SiteId=americ
a8v1_brief_ebook
Required Texts
Tindall and Shi, America: A Narrative History, 8th Edition, Brief,
Vol. 1
Breen & Innes, “Myne Owne Ground”
Calloway, The Scratch of a Pen: 1763 and the Transformation of
North America
Kyle, Nat Turner
The other books are also available
more cheaply or used on
Amazon.com, half.com, and
bookfinder.com (among others).
Feel free to search for used books
online, but be careful to purchase the
correct edition.
McPherson, What They Fought For
Dr. Caroline E. Janney
Office: University 23
Office Hours: T 12:00-2:00
(or by appointment)
Teaching Assistant: Jeff Perry
Office: Recitation 401
Office Hours: T / Th 9:00 -10:00
(or by appointment)
cjanney@purdue.edu
perry30@purdue.edu
ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
Spring 2012
HIST 151-1
Grading:
Quizzes:
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3:
20%
25%
25%
30%
Attendance:
I will not take attendance.
You are responsible for all of
the material covered in
lectures, and therefore you
will find it extremely
difficult to pass this course
without regular attendance.
Any changes to the syllabus
will also be announced in
class. Students are
individually responsible for
everything that transpires in
class; absence is not a valid
excuse. There are no class
notes available. Please be
courteous and respectful. If
you must leave early, sit
where you will not disturb
the professor or other
students. Turn off all cell
phones. If any cell phone
rings during class, the entire
class will be subject to a pop
quiz.
Disclaimer:
In the event of a major
campus emergency, the
above requirements,
deadlines and grading
policies are subject to
changes that may be required
by a revised semester
calendar. Any such changes
in this course will be posted
once the course resumes on
Blackboard or can be
obtained by contacting the
professor via email.
Paxton Boys, 1763
Quizzes:
There will be 5 unannounced in-class quizzes covering
materials in America: A Narrative History and lectures.
At least one of these quizzes will be a map quiz based on
maps in the textbook. The top four quiz grades will be
counted toward your final grade (each is worth 5%).
These quizzes are designed to keep you on top of your
readings and attendance. Some will be open book (not
the map quizzes), so you are encouraged to bring your
textbook and take good notes. There are no make-up
quizzes, regardless of circumstances.
Exams:
There will be 3 exams in this course. They will
consist of some combination of short answer,
multiple choice, identification, and essays. One of the
essays on each exam will be drawn from the monographs
assigned for that portion of the course. There are no
make-up exams except for those who have written
documentation of medical issues, special needs, or family
tragedy.
Cheating / Plagiarism:
Plagiarism refers to the reproduction of another's words
or ideas without proper attribution. University
Regulations contains further information on dishonesty.
Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are
serious offenses, and will be treated as such in this class.
You are expected to produce your own work and to
accurately cite all necessary materials. Cheating,
plagiarism, and other dishonest practices will be
punished as harshly as Purdue University policies allow.
Any instances of academic dishonesty will result in a
grade of F for the course and notification of the Dean of
Students Office.
Schedule of Lectures and Assignments
Spring 2012
HIST 151-1
Week 1:
Readings:
America: A Narrative History (hereafter America)
Tues. Jan 10
Thurs. Jan 12
pp. 5-23
Introduction
The Importance of Columbus Day
Week 2:
Readings:
America
Tues. Jan 17
Thurs. Jan 19
pp. 26-41, 58-63, 70-77
Encounter: Death and Cannibalism
The Puritan Vision: New England Colonies
Week 3:
Readings:
America
Tues. Jan 24
Thurs. Jan 26
pp. 41-44, 64-70, 102-103
Breen & Innes, Myne Own Ground
The Early South: Settlement and Slavery
Discuss Breen & Innes, Myne Own Ground in class
Week 4:
Readings:
America
Tues. Jan 31
Thurs. Feb. 2
pp. 45-55, 77-82
The Middle Colonies
Surviving the Middle Passage
Week 5:
Readings:
America
Tues. Feb. 7
Thurs. Feb. 9
pp. 82-91, 94-102, 103-06
Refinement, Enlightenment, Awakening
EXAM 1
Week 6:
Readings:
America
pp. 106-13
Calloway, The Scratch of a Pen
Tues. Feb. 14 Discuss Calloway, The Scratch of a Pen in class
Thurs. Feb. 16 Imperial Crisis
Week 7:
Readings:
“HISTORY CANNOT GIVE US A
PROGRAM FOR THE FUTURE, BUT IT
CAN GIVE US A FULLER
UNDERSTANDING OF OURSELVES,
AND OF OUR COMMON HUMANITY, SO
THAT WE CAN BETTER FACE THE
FUTURE.”
ROBERT PENN WARREN
America
pp. 116-41, 149-97
Tues. Feb. 21 A Revolutionary Society
Thurs. Feb. 23 A More Perfect Union?
Schedule of Lectures and Assignments
Spring 2012
HIST 151-1
Week 8:
Readings:
America
pp. 200-29
Tues. Feb. 28 NO CLASS
Thurs. Mar. 1 Banks and Whiskey
Week 9:
Readings:
America
Tues. Mar. 6
Thurs. Mar. 8
pp. 232-81, 330-45
Jefferson and the 2nd War for Independence
Boom & Bust
SPRING BREAK MARCH 13-16
Week 10:
Tues. Mar. 20 NO CLASS
Thurs. Mar. 22
EXAM 2
Week 11:
Readings:
America
pp. 281-87, 290-312, 354-77
Tues. Mar. 27 Rise of Jackson
Thurs. Mar. 29 Disaffection: Religion and Reform
Week 12:
Readings:
Tues. April 3
Thurs. April 5
Week 13:
Readings:
IMPORTANT DATES
America
pp. 415-37
Nat Turner
The “Old South” and the Peculiar Institution
Discuss Nat Turner in class
America
pp. 380-407, 440-68
Tues. April 10 Manifest Destiny and the Mexican War
Thurs. April 12 The Sectional Crisis of the 1850s
Week 14:
Reading:
America
pp. 468-73, 476-93
Tues. April 17 The Election of 1860
Thurs. April 19 And the War Came
Week 15:
Readings:
America
pp. 493-551
McPherson, What They Fought For
Tues. April 24 Discuss What They Fought For in class
Thurs. April 26 What Did This War Mean?
Exam 1:
Exam 2:
Exam 3:
Feb. 9
March 22
Exam Week
In-Class Discussions
Myne Own Ground
Scratch of a Pen
Nat Turner
What They Fought
Jan. 26
Feb. 14
April 5
April 24