The University of Southern Mississippi
Department of History
History 201
Fall 2010
11:00–12:15PM T, Th.
Colonization to Civil War:
Major Themes in American History, 1600-1865
―Anyone who is going to make anything out of history will, sooner or later, have to do most of the work
himself. He will have to read, and consider, and reconsider, and then read some more.‖
Geoffrey Barraclough (1908-1984)
Dr. Kyle F. Zelner
Office: 462 LAB Office Phone: 601-266-6196 Email: kyle.zelner@usm.edu
Web Site: http://ocean.otr.usm.edu/~w535683/Index.html
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 10–10:45am; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4–5pm, and by appointment
Statement of Purpose
This course will investigate the major themes and events in the history of the region that
eventually became the United States. We will examine and explore the people who lived and worked
in this expanse from the time just preceding its "discovery" by seafaring Europeans to the
establishment of colonies, the war for independence from England, the beginnings of a new
government, and the long sectional conflict that culminated in a great civil war. This long period
(over 350 years) is one of the most important and exciting times in American history. While many
may wonder what use it is to study such an old (and some would say irrelevant) period, we should
remember that many of the most basic institutions and cultural practices we observe today were
formulated during this notable age. This course will also provide you the skills and background to
embark on further study of American history.
Course Goals
•To explore the development of American political, economic, cultural, and social institutions.
•To examine and recognize the major impact that socially and ethnically diverse groups had on
the formation of the American nation.
•To develop the students’ intellectual skills to analyze and interpret history. This development
will enable the student to excel in a number of areas including reading comprehension,
persuasive writing, and critical thinking.
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
1
Mechanics of the Course
For the majority of class time, the instructor will lecture on the course material. Lectures
WILL NOT NECESSARILY come from or follow the textbook’s track—your reading of texts and
lectures are independent and you will have to blend them in order to understand our topic. Audiovisual materials may be used during certain classes to stimulate understanding and discussion. The
schedule of topics and the reading assigned to complement the lectures follows below. It is
important that you have the reading done before class each week to be able to follow the lectures
more precisely and it is IMPERATIVE that you have the reading done by Thursdays since those
classes will feature some aspect of group discussion. Active and thoughtful participation in the
discussions is a requirement of the course. Read the class schedule below and listen for class
announcements for changes in this general format.
Required Readings
Norton, Mary Beth, et. al. A People and a Nation. Vol. 1 to 1877, 8th Cengage
Advantage edition. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2009.
Rampolla, Mary Lynn. A Pocket Guide to Writing in History. 6th ed. Boston:
Bedford, 2010.
Various primary documents. Each week, in addition to the readings from the
textbook, you will read a primary document on the web (the links for each week
are listed in the class schedule below).
Assignments and Grading
The first assignment is the careful reading of this syllabus.
Attentive and informed reading of all class texts, including the weekly
primary document, is necessary for the satisfactory completion of the
course.
The omission of any class requirement will result in
automatic failure for the course—IN OTHER WORDS; YOU MUST
TURN IN EVERY MAJOR ASSIGNMENT TO PASS THE COURSE.
There will be two papers in this class. Details on the paper topics will be handed out well in
advance of the due date to ensure students start working on papers early. History papers MUST be
argumentative (have a strong thesis), conform to all rules of grammar and spelling, and document
their sources. Students are strongly encouraged to read and apply the lessons in the required text A
Pocket Guide to Writing in History by Mary Rampolla in order to ensure success on papers. More
information on papers (mechanics, etc.) is listed below in ―Course Policies.‖
The first paper for the class will be based on your reading of a biography of a historical figure
from the period 1600-1865 (the figure must be associated with America history). Librarians at the
Information Services desk of Cook Library can help you find a biography. Students must get their
book choice approved by the instructor before they write the paper (see the approval sheet on the
assignment for details)—the deadline for approval is Tuesday, August 31st. This assigned paper will
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
2
be worth 15% of your final grade, be 4-5 pages in length, and will be due Tuesday, September 21st at
the beginning of class.
The second paper will be based on your reading of a historical monograph (a history book
with one main topic that makes a historical argument about that event/person/controversy/issue).
Students will choose a book from a list of approved monographs (or get the instructor’s permission
to read a book not on the list) and will write a 4-5 page paper answering a series of questions about
the book, based on a worksheet supplied by the instructor. Students must inform the instructor of
their book choice (and have possession of the book) by Thursday, October 7th. The paper will be
due on Tuesday, November 16th and be worth 15% of the final grade.
There will be three examinations during the course, two midterm exams (Tuesday, September
28th and Tuesday, November 2nd) and a final exam (Thursday, Dec. 9th, 10:45AM–1:15PM).
Examinations will be a mixture of identification (ID) questions, primary source questions (based on
weekly primary source documents), and essay questions (based on the lectures and class readings).
The midterm exams will each count as 20% of your final grade, while the final exam, which will have
a cumulative element, will be worth 30%.
Grading Breakdown:
Biography Paper
15%
150 points
Monograph Paper
Midterm Exam #1
Midterm Exam #2
Final Exam
Total
15%
20%
20%
30%
100%
150 points
200 points
200 points
300 points
1000 points
Class Grading Scale:
A=1000-900 points
B=899-800 points
C=799-700 points
D=699-600 points
F=below 600 points
**As strict as this scale seems, improvement in grades over the semester MAY be taken into account
when assigning the final grade. This is a learning process and if you can demonstrate that you have
improved your skills by posting better grades at the end of the course, you will be rewarded. This is
also dependent on a student’s attendance in class–those with perfect or near-perfect attendance will
be given all due consideration for bonus points in such a scenario.
A Note about Office Hours
I will hold office hours (see page 1) for any interested
students at posted times and will be happy to arrange a
different time for you to come in and see me if those times do
not fit into your schedule. If for some reason I cannot keep
my office hours, I will try to announce it in class and I will
post it on my office door. This is time I have set aside for you
to come in and talk about your questions or comments about
the class, history, writing, the university, or whatever
(including ―Mad Men‖). It is a great time to come in and
discuss paper topics or questions. If you're interested in majoring in history or thinking of someday
going to grad school, come in and chat. It is unfortunate that more students don't take advantage of
faculty office hours--we're not just available in the classroom.
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
3
Course Policies:
1. Class Climate: This course is designed to give you a chance to explore an
area of academic interest through lectures, reading, writing, and regular
classroom discussion. In order for discussions to be productive, all students
need to feel comfortable participating. We will create and maintain an
atmosphere of mutual respect in which everyone’s ideas can be heard.
2. Attendance: Attendance at ALL classes is MANDATORY. Attendance
will be taken at most class meetings and unexcused absences will hurt your final grade. Excessive
unexcused absences (i.e. more than three) will result in the loss of a letter grade or even failure for the
course. Absences are excused in the event of a true emergency (sleeping in or feeling ―under the
weather‖ do not qualify) or with the prior approval of the instructor. In all cases, I require written
documentation from the appropriate authorities (dean’s office, athletic coaches, doctors, etc.). Note:
If you stop attending class, but do not withdraw from the course on SOAR, the instructor reserves
the right to issue a failing grade (F) for the course.
3. USM Email: All students should check their USM email regularly—you can set it to forward to
your main email account (yahoo, hotmail, etc.) if you desire, just be sure to check it in some fashion.
Students who do not set up their accounts or respond to USM email may lose participation points
and suffer a lower grade.
4. Pagers and Cell Phones: All pagers and cell phones must be turned off and put away when in
class. I will confiscate any cell phone I see out once class has begun. Any exceptions to this policy
(for emergency issues only) must be cleared with the instructor in advance.
5. Laptops: Laptops are not allowed in this class except in the case of documented medical need
(provided by the Office of Disability Accommodation). If you insist on using a laptop to take class
notes, you must get the prior permission of the instructor AND you will be required to immediately
email the notes you take for each class to the instructor, within 30 minutes of the class’s conclusion.
Students unable to produce class notes in a timely manner will forfeit the ability to use a laptop in
class and may incur a grade penalty.
6. Support and Documentation on Papers: Support your paper arguments with specific textual
references—in other words, you must use footnotes for all papers. Follow Chicago Manual of Style
format and documentation. For help and examples, see the style manual required for the class:
Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History.
Note: I do not accept the use of ―Ibid‖ in citations—instead I prefer the short author/title
system. See pg. 103 of Rampolla (6th ed.) for more details.
7. Wikipedia: Wikipedia and other open source sites of ―information‖ are not reliable and are not
appropriate for use as a source in a formal history paper. Students in this course needing a general
information source are encouraged to use a standard, reputable encyclopedia—for example, the
Encyclopedia Britannica (online or hard copy).
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
4
8. Manuscript Preparation: All papers should be computer-generated (12pt ―normal‖ font) and
should be double-spaced with one-inch margins. Papers should always be handed in with the pages
numbered and stapled together. Proofread carefully. Clearly place your name, the course and
instructor, a description of the paper, and date of each assignment in the upper right hand corner of
the first page. Papers which do not conform to ALL of these rules WILL suffer a grade
penalty.
*Sample heading for papers:
Student Name
History 201—Dr. Zelner
Paper One
September 21, 2010
9. Copies of Papers: It is your responsibility to keep a copy of each paper that you submit. In the
unlikely event that I misplace the paper, you should be able to produce your copy that same day.
10. Delivery of Papers: Students are required to hand in TWO COPIES of each paper: one hard
printed copy, which must be handed in at the place and time indicated on the course schedule and
one electronic copy, which must be submitted to http://www.turnitin.com under the correct class
and assignment.
Turnitin.com Class Information for History 201—Sec.02 Fall 2010 Dr. Zelner:
Class ID Number: 3383519
Class Password (case sensitive): history
You will need this information to log-on and create an account on the Turnitin web site, which is
required of all students in the class by Thursday, August 26th. If you need help, surf over to:
http://www.lib.usm.edu/services/fs/instructional_services/turnitin.html
11. Late Papers and Missed Exams: Papers submitted late will suffer a grade penalty of one full
letter grade for every 24 hours they are late. (Example: a B- paper turned between 1 to 24 hours late
would become a C-). Papers more than four days late (96 hours) will not be accepted (Note: all
class assignments must be turned in and accepted to pass the course). Extensions of a paper due
date will be granted only in the event of a documented medical, athletic, academic, or personal
emergency and only in advance of the paper due date.
If you are unable to take an exam, be sure to discuss it with me in advance. If you are ill on
the day of an exam, be sure to call and leave your phone number so I can reach you. Documentation
(such as a doctor’s letter stating the student was too ill to take the exam) must be produced before a
student may take a ―make-up‖ exam. The instructor reserves the right to construct make-up exams
in an all-essay format.
Decisions on the validity of the documentation are within the sole purview of the instructor.
If you have any questions about this policy or the instructor’s policy on receiving an Incomplete (I)
grade for the course, please see the instructor during office hours.
12. Academic Dishonesty: Scholastic dishonesty will not be condoned under any circumstance.
See the current Undergraduate Bulletin for a good definition of such behavior. Cheating on an exam or
demonstrated plagiarism on a paper will automatically lead to a grade of ―F‖ for the course and can
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
5
result in dismissal from the university. The instructor reserves the right to use electronic resources,
such as Turnitin.com, to detect plagiarism. If you have questions or concerns about this policy—
please see the instructor during office hours.
13. Students with Disabilities: If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office for
Disability Accommodations (ODA) for information on appropriate policies and procedures.
Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health
disorders.
Students may contact ODA if they are not certain whether a medical condition/disability qualifies.
Address:
University of Southern Mississippi
Office for Disability Accommodations
118 College Dr. #8586
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Voice Telephone: (601) 266-5024 or (228) 214-3232
Fax: (601) 266-6035
Individuals with hearing impairments may contact ODA using the Mississippi Relay Service at
1-800-582-2233 (TTY) or by e-mailing Suzy Hebert at Suzanne.Hebert@usm.edu
14. Improving Writing: While I am always available to discuss your ideas and look over drafts
(well) before paper due dates, I also encourage you to use the following resource:
The Writing Center, Cook Library Room 112, (601) 266-4821,
http://www.usm.edu/writingcenter
―The Writing Center is a free service that allows students at USM to work one-on-one with
experienced writers on any aspect of their assignments, usually:
▪ Grasping the assignment and what it requires
▪ Understanding how their own writing is working and isn’t working
▪ Learning strategies for writing tasks (how to brainstorm, organize, etc.)
▪ Practicing the art of revision in both re-seeing and rewriting‖
There is also an on-line History Writing Lab with helpful handouts on the History
Department’s Website at: http://www.usm.edu/history/HWL-guides.php
15. Syllabus: This syllabus is a mutual contract between the professor and student and the student
and professor. It will not be altered lightly, however if circumstances make it necessary, the changes
will be made as far in advance as is possible and in writing.
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
6
Course Schedule
WEEK 1—COURSE INTRODUCTION
Reading Assignment: Rampolla, skim whole book.
Thursday, Aug. 19— Course Introduction
WEEK 2— AMERICA AND ENGLAND BEFORE AND AT CONTACT
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 1 and Chap. 2; Document: Thomas Harriot, “Algonquian Peoples of
the Atlantic Coast” (1588) http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/170/174794/02_algon.HTM
Tuesday, Aug. 24—Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Aug. 26— Lecture and General Discussion
*Students must register with Turnitin.com by this date
WEEK 3—COLONIAL CASE STUDY #1—THE CHESAPEAKE
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 3; Document: Richard Frethorne, “Letter to his Father and Mother”
(1623); http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/jamestown-browse?id=J1012
Tuesday, Aug. 31—Last day to drop and receive 100% refund
Tuesday, Aug. 31—Lecture and General Discussion
**Students must have biography selection approved by instructor by this date.
Thursday, Sept. 2— Lecture and General Discussion
WEEK 4--COLONIAL CASE STUDY #2—PURITAN NEW ENGLAND
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 4; Document: Sir William Phips, “Two Letters on the Witchcraft at
Salem” (1692), http://etext.virginia.edu/etcbin/toccernew2?id=BoySal3.sgm&images=images/modeng&data=/texts/english/modeng/oldsalem&tag=public&pa
rt=163&division=div2
Tuesday, Sept.7—Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Sept. 9— Lecture and General Discussion
WEEK 5—THE ROAD TO REVOLUTION
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 5; Document: “The Declaration of Independence” (1776),
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/declare.asp
Tuesday, Sept. 14—Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Sept. 16— Lecture and General Discussion
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
7
WEEK 6—THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 6; Document: Frederika Charlotte Louise, Baroness von Riedesel,
“The Defeat and Surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga” (1777),
http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=872
Tuesday, Sept. 21—Lecture and General Discussion
**PAPER #1 (BIOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT) DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS.
Thursday, Sept. 23— Lecture and General Discussion
WEEK 7—A NEW NATION
Tuesday, Sept. 28—*MID-TERM EXAM #1
Wednesday, Sept. 29—Last day to drop full-semester classes without academic penalty
Thursday, Sept. 30—Lecture and General Discussion
WEEK 8—THE FEDERALISTS
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chaps. 7 and 8; Document: “Constitution of the United States of America”
(1787), http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html
Tuesday, Oct. 5—Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Oct. 7— Lecture and General Discussion
**Students must inform instructor of monograph choice (from approved list) or
get permission of instructor for books not on the list for Paper #2 by this date.
WEEK 9— JEFFERSONIANISM TRIUMPHANT
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 9 and 11 (out of sequence); Document: Thomas Jefferson, “First
Inaugural Address” (March 4, 1801) http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=444
Tuesday, Oct. 12—Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Oct. 14—Fall Break—No Class! “Go do something historical!”
WEEK 10— JACKSONIAN SOCIETY & THE AGE OF REFORM
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 12 (out of sequence); Document: “The Declaration of Sentiments,”
(1848), http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/senecafalls.html
Tuesday, Oct. 19— Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Oct. 21— Lecture and General Discussion
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
8
WEEK 11— THE COTTON KINGDOM & RISE OF ANTEBELLUM SLAVERY
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 10 (out of sequence); Document: Mary Reynolds, “Slave Narrative”
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/wpa/reynold1.html
Tuesday, Oct. 26—Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Oct. 28— Lecture and General Discussion
WEEK 12—SECTIONAL CRISIS I
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 13; Document: William Lloyd Garrison, “Letter to the Public”
(1831), http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=576
Tuesday, Nov. 2 —*MIDTERM EXAM #2
Thursday, Nov. 4— Lecture and General Discussion
WEEK 13— SECTIONAL CRISIS II
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 14; Document: George Fitzhugh, "Negro Slavery" from Sociology
for the South, or the Failure of Free Society. (1854), http://www.yale.edu/glc/archive/1057.htm
Tuesday, Nov. 9— Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Nov. 11— Lecture and General Discussion
WEEK 14—THE CIVIL WAR I
Reading Assignment: Norton: Chap. 15; Document: Jefferson Davis, “Speech to the State Legislature of
Mississippi,” (December 26, 1862), http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=1469
Tuesday, Nov. 16—Lecture and General Discussion
**PAPER #2 (MONOGRAPH ASSIGNMENT) DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS.
Thursday, Nov. 18— Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Nov. 18—Last day to process any add/drops or withdrawals
WEEK 15— THE CIVIL WAR II
Reading Assignment: Document: General William T. Sherman, “Letter to James M. Calhoun, et al. of
Atlanta,” (September 12, 1864), http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=1725
Tuesday, Nov. 23—Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Nov. 25—Thanksgiving—No Class!!
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
9
WEEK 16—OVERVIEW AND REVIEW
Tuesday, Nov. 30—Lecture and General Discussion
Thursday, Dec. 2—Review Session for the Final Exam
Thursday, Dec. 2— LAST DAY OF CLASSES
Final Exam: Thursday, Dec. 9th,
10:45AM–1:15PM
Dr. Zelner, HIS 201, Fall 2010
10