History 4730

United States, 1845-1898

Southern Utah University

 

Spring 2007

 

3 Credits

Dr. Earl Mulderink

Office Hours: 10-11:30,

1:30-2:30

TR, 2:30-3:50

mulderink@suu.edu

Centrum 225

 

435/865-8323

 

                                                                                                                                                           

Course Description

 

This upper-level course examines United States history through a fifty-year period punctuated by a brutal civil war and eras known as “Reconstruction” and the “Gilded Age.”  Aimed at history majors and minors, this course encourages students to hone their skills of historical interpretation while providing a clear chronology of events and their significance.  Equally important, this course emphasizes the many ways in which the study of history demands imagination and critical thinking.  History is, above all, the interpretation of past human interactions and their consequences.  Please note that class attendance is expected and that your active participation is encouraged.  You are responsible for reading much of the course material on your own, for class lectures and discussions will touch upon some -- but not all -- of what you are required to read.  Do your best to keep up with the course requirements and expectations.  Good luck!

 

Required Reading Assignments

 

Two books have been chosen as required reading for this course, and both are available at the SUU Bookstore.  These highly-regarded books provide a detailed chronological overview of the period between 1845 and 1898.  All readings are required, and you should strive to read each class assignment prior to the relevant class session.  Please plan to purchase a copy of the following:

  • James M. McPherson, Ordeal by Fire, The Civil War and Reconstruction, Third edition (McGraw-Hill, 2001). 
  • Sean Dennis Cashman, America in the Gilded Age, From the Death of Lincoln to the Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, Third edition (NYU Press, 1993).

 

Grading and Examinations (25% Each)

 

This course will emphasize reading, writing, and reporting in a variety of formats.  Students are expected to hand in all work by the deadlines and to follow specific guidelines for each assignment.  Your class attendance is expected, and active participation is encouraged.  Your grade will be computed as follows:

            ·          First Examination                                                                    25%

            ·          Second Examination                                                               25%

            ·          Critical Book Review OR Two Movie Reviews                    25%

            ·          Participation and Other Individual and Group Work                         25%

 

The grading scale is based on the following:  A, 93-100; A-, 90-92; B+, 87-89; B, 83-86; B-, 80-82; C+, 77-79; C, 73-76; C-, 70-72; D+, 67-69; D, 63-66; D-, 60-62; F, 0-59.

 

There will be two examinations in this course.  The first examination will cover the first half of History 4730 with a focus on the events leading to Civil War and the war itself (i.e., 1845-1865).  The second examination is scheduled for the final exam period and will cover the second half of the course (i.e., 1865-1898).  Each exam will have the same format consisting of short ID’s (you will select five of ten ID’s to write about) and a long essay question.  About a week before each exam you will receive essay questions based on all class materials (including lectures, discussions, readings, movies, and handouts), and you should prepare written outlines or answers for these questions.  The instructor will select the one essay question to be answered in this closed-book exam.  Each exam is worth 25% of your final grade.  Note:  The exam format may be changed to a take-home format, but only after discussion with all students.

 

Your written reports and all other work submitted for this course should be typed and follow the standard rules of grammar, punctuation, and English usage.  For all written assignments, try to write in your own words, but if you wish to quote from course materials, simply place all quoted material in quotation marks and add a page reference in parentheses at the end of that sentence.  Try to avoid block quotes of excessive length – and do not plagiarize!  Certainly, feel free to be imaginative in exploring the questions asked in this course, and ask questions if you are unclear about assignments or expectations.  You are expected to submit original and independent work by all deadlines.  Late papers will be penalized at least one full letter grade (10 points).

 

Individual and Group Work (25%)

 

As an individual, or as a member of a small group, you may be asked to do additional work or to report findings to the instructor and to other students in the course.  Certainly, small groups may be an appropriate forum to review for each of the examinations.  Taken all together, your individual and group work is an important part of the course and will count toward 25% of your final grade in History 4730.  We have a relatively small class and an informal atmosphere will work best.  Please try to be cooperative, diligent, and purposeful in your group work.  Although some students do not relish interactive and active learning, I believe that group discussion develops your critical thinking and communication skills and helps you to learn history.

 

(One) Critical Book Review OR Two Movie Reviews (25%)

 

Working on your own, you have the choice of writing one critical book review or two movie reviews that will count toward 25% of your final grade in History 4730.  Regardless of which option you choose, the assignments are due by the end of the semester and will be submitted through Turitin.com, a plagiarism detection web site.  Again, these are written individual assignments that are to be done independently by each student.  More information about turnitin.com will be forthcoming.

 

Option I – Critical Book Review

 

Your four- to six-page book review should focus on a significant, scholarly work that falls within the scope of this course, from the mid-1840s to the late-1890s.  You have much freedom in selecting a work of nonfiction that interests you, subject to your instructor’s approval and advice.  You are encouraged to find books that have been published recently, and you will not be allowed to submit book reviews that have been prepared for other classes.  Your paper will not be accepted if the book has not been approved by your instructor. 

 

Please note that this is a critical book review, more of an informed appraisal than a summary or report.  Do not simply summarize the book.  Instead, your critical book review should address the following points:

  • Who is or was the author, and what training or experience qualifies the author to write this particular book?
  • What is the range of the work, topically and chronologically?
  • How is the book organized and what are its contents?
  • What are the main themes, arguments, or points presented in the book?
  • What historical materials (primary and secondary sources) are used by the author, and are these unusual or previously unused sources of evidence?
  • What does this work contribute to the field of history?
  • Do you like or dislike the book, and would you recommend it to others?

 

As you can see, this written paper assignment asks you to evaluate and analyze your chosen book.  Try to read it as would a scholar and historian – be critical, but be fair and objective.

 

Option II – Two Movie Reviews

 

For this written assignment, you are to watch, review, and write about two movies that touch upon material in this class.  You may choose to review one documentary movie (e.g., one episode from The Civil War, by Ken Burns) and one feature movie (e.g., The Red Badge of Courage), or you may review two documentary movies.  Taken together, your two reviews will count toward 25% of your final grade.  Please do not submit a review that you have written for another class.  You are encouraged to complete these assignments at your earliest opportunity, but no later than the end of the semester.  Ask you instructor for assistance, particularly if you want to know more about the documentary movies available in the SUU Library’s Media Collection.

 

Your movie review — typed, double-spaced, and not more than three (3) pages in length — should explain and analyze the following issues in that movie:

·                      Title of movie?

·                      Theme(s) of documentary?

·                      Major source(s) and evidence in movie?

·                      Any unusual idea(s), material(s), and argument(s)?

·                      Broader themes of U.S. history raised or ignored in movie?

·                      “Thumbs up” or “thumbs down” conclusions?

 

You are encouraged to follow the outline above in preparing a written essay for your movie review.  (Do not submit a paper written in outline form, but compose a coherent essay that draws upon a detailed outline.)  The goal of this exercise is for you to watch these carefully-chosen historical documentaries and feature films with a critical eye, and to then express your observations in a coherent and brief review that addresses all the points listed above.

 

Other Course Matters

 

Plan to arrive for class in a timely manner and depart only at appropriate times.  Attendance is expected for all class sessions, and if you plan to be absent, particularly in the case of serious illness, please try to inform your instructor in advance.  All examinations will be offered only as scheduled, and makeup exams may be provided only at the discretion of the instructor.  Any requests for makeup examinations must be made prior to the scheduled exam -- no exceptions.   Finally, please see statements and disclaimers below.  Plagiarism -- using the work or words of another individual without proper attribution -- is a serious academic offense.  Plagiarism can involve your use of other student's work or words, and "borrowing" from either print or electronic sources, such as the Internet and World Wide Web.  Cheating in any form will not be tolerated.

 

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.  You are expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook (published by Student Services) regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy, for information about procedures and about what constitutes acceptable on-campus behavior.

 

STUDENT DISABILITY NOTICE

Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Southern Utah University Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), in Room 205C of the Sharwan Smith Center or phone (435) 865-8022.  SSD determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

 

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

 

 

When In Doubt, Ask!

 

If you have questions about your progress in History 4730 or remain unclear about course assignments or materials, please do not hesitate to ask.  You have several ways to contact me at any time.  First and most obviously, feel free to ask pertinent questions during the class periods or after classes.  Or, if you wish, you can visit during my office hours in Centrum 225, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11:30 and 1:30-2:30.  I am happy to make an appointment if those times are not convenient.  You can also call me at 435/865-8323 to talk with me or leave a message.  Finally, I encourage you to communicate through email whenever possible; my email address is:  mulderink@suu.edu.

 

Spring 2007 Schedule

History 4730

Earl Mulderink

 

 

Week 1

 

 

Read OBF, 1

 

1/9

(T)

Course Introductions

 

1/11

(R)

Stress and Strain in the Growing Nation

 

 

 

 

Week 2

 

 

Read OBF, 2-3

 

1/16

(T)

The “Peculiar Institution” of Slavery

 

1/18

(R)

Movie:  “Doing As They Can”

 

 

 

 

Week 3

 

 

Read OBF, 4-6

 

1/23

(T)

Conflict and Compromise

 

1/25

(R)

Steps Toward Disunion

 

 

 

 

Week 4

 

 

Read OBF, 7-9; readings about Dred Scott Decision

 

1/30

(T)

Politics of Sectionalism

 

2/1

(R)

Discussion:  Strange Case of Dred Scott

 

 

 

 

Week 5

 

 

Read OBF, 10-13

 

2/6

(T)

War Begins – Civil War Scorecard

 

2/8

(R)

Soldiers Blue & Grey; Movie:  Excerpt from “The Civil War”

 

 

 

 

Week 6

 

 

Read OBF, 14-17

 

2/13

(T)

Business of War

 

2/15

(R)

Turning Points

 

 

 

 

Week 7

 

 

Read OBF, 18-21

 

2/20

(T)

Gettysburg

 

2/22

(R)

Movie:  Excerpt from “The Civil War”

 

 

 

 

 

Week 8

 

 

Read OBF, 22-25

 

2/27

(T)

Emancipation and Black Soldiers

Movie:  “The 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry”

 

3/1

(R)

The Union Victorious

Midterm Examination Essay Questions Distributed

 

 

 

 

Week 9

 

 

Selected Handouts

 

3/6

(T)

Discussion:  Legacies of Civil War

 

3/8

(R)

Midterm Examination

 

 

 

 

SPRING BREAK – March 12-16

 

 

 

 

Week 10

 

 

Read OBF, 26-29; AGA, 7

 

3/20

(T)

Reconstruction Begins

 

3/22

(R)

Movie:  “Dr. Toer’s Amazing Magic Lantern Show”

 

 

 

 

Week 11

 

 

Read OBF, 30-33; AGA, 8

 

3/27

(T)

Retreat from Reconstruction

 

3/29

(R)

Politics of Reconciliation

 

 

 

 

Week 12

 

 

Read AGA, 1-3

 

4/3 

(T)

Rise of Big Business

 

4/5 

(R)

Movie:  “Lions of Capitalism”

 

 

 

 

Week 13

 

 

Read AGA, 4-6

 

4/10

(T)

Working Class in Industrializing America

 

4/12

(R)

Movie:  “The Grand Army of Starvation” or “Mr. Sears’ Catalog”

 

 

 

 

Week 14

 

 

Read AGA, 9-10

 

4/17

(T)

Politics of Protest

 

4/19

(R)

Native Americans; Movie:  TBA

Final Examination Essay Questions Distributed

 

 

 

 

Week 15

 

 

Read AGA, 11-12

 

4/24

(T)

The Expanding Giant:  Foreign Policy and War

 

4/26

(R)

Dawn of the Progressive Era; Review

 

 

Final Exam:  Friday, May 4, 3-4:50 PM