Syllabus
United States History to 1877 (43.111)
Syllabus
Prof. Shehong Chen
Spring 2016
Email: shehong_chen@uml.edu
Office: Dugan 106-H
Office Phone: 978-934-4282
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11-12:20; Or by appointment
United States History to 1877 (43.111)
This course covers the period from the convergence of the three worlds--America, Africa, and Europe--in the 15th century and to the post-Civil War Reconstruction. The course’s main learning objectives include the abilities to interpret the process of change and continuity, to assess and use historical documents, to understand and evaluate various historical interpretations, and to analyze interactions of social, cultural, religious, economic, technological, and political developments.
The following two books are required texts and are available for purchase in the University Bookstore.
1, Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty! An American History, Brief 4th Edition, Vol. One: To 1877 (W.W. Norton, 2014)
2, Eric Foner, ed. Voices of Freedom: A Documentary History, 4th Edition, Vol. One (W.W. Norton, 2014)
Course Requirements
- Students are required to take three of the four periodic quizzes, five of the six reading quizzes, a midterm exam, and a final exam. Attendance and participation are strongly encouraged and given 30 points for the entire semester.
- There are four periodic quizzes and six reading quizzes. Since the quizzes are designed to help students keep up with the pace of the class, there is no makeup opportunity. Each periodic quiz has a maximum of 20 points and each reading quiz has a maximum of 10 points. To give room for emergencies, only three of the four periodic quizzes, a total of 60 points, and five of the six reading quizzes, a total of 50 points, will be counted for in the course grade.
- The date for the midterm exam is clearly marked on the syllabus while the final exam is on a university-designated day, which will be announced later. Makeup exams are considered only in cases of an emergency that is supported by a document. The midterm and final each earns a maximum of 100 points.
Note: This course does not offer extra credits.
Grades
A total of 340 points are assigned as follows:
60 points for the three periodic quizzes (20 points for each)
50 points for the five reading quizzes (10 points for each)
100 points for the midterm
100 points for the final
30 points for attendance
Week 1 (Jan. 19 and 21)
Course Introduction and Convergence of the Three Worlds.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 1.
Week 2 (Jan. 26 and 28)
English America, 1607-1660.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 2.
First reading quiz on Thursday, on V of F ch. 2 (10 points).
Week 3 (Feb. 2 and 4)
English America, 1660-1750
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 3.
First periodic quiz on Thursday, on materials of weeks 1 through 3 (20 points).
Week 4 (Feb. 9 and 11)
Slavery, Freedom, and Struggle of British Empire, to 1763.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 4.
Second reading quiz on Thursday, on V of F ch. 4 (10 points).
Week 5 (Feb. 18)
The class does not meet on Tuesday, because it is Monday schedule.
British Empire and American Liberty/Freedom, 1763-1783.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 5.
Week 6 (Feb. 23 and 25)
The Revolution Within.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 6.
Second periodic quiz on Thursday, on materials of weeks 4 through 6 (20 points).
Week 7 (March 1 and 3)
Liberty/Freedom and Power of Government, 1783-1791.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 7.
Third reading quiz on Thursday, on V of F ch. 7 (10 points).
Week 8 (March 8 and 10)
Securing the Republic, 1791-1815.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 8.
Midterm exam on Thursday on materials of weeks 1 through 8.
Spring Break (March 14 through 18)
Week 9 (March 22 and 24)
The Market Revolution, 1800-1840.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 9.
Fourth reading quiz on Thursday, on V of F ch. 9 (10 points).
Week 10 (March 29 and 31)
Democracy and slavery in America.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, chs. 10 and 11.
Third periodic quiz on Thursday, on materials of weeks 9 and 10 (20 points).
Week 11 (April 5 and 7)
The Anti-slavery Movement and Other Reforms, 1820-1840.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 12.
Fifth reading quiz on Thursday, on V of F ch. 12 (10 points).
Week 12 (April 12 and 14)
Westward Expansion and Road to the Civil War, 1840-1861.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 13.
Sixth reading quiz on Thursday, on V of F ch. 13 (10 points).
Week 13 (April 19 and 21)
The Civil War, 1861-1865.
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 14.
Fourth periodic quiz on Thursday, on materials of weeks 11 through 13 (20 points).
Week 14 (April 26 and 28)
The Reconstruction, 1865-1877
Readings: Give Me Liberty! and Voices of Freedom, ch. 15.