COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course surveys the major works of American history since the 1890s, ranging from various interpretations of the colonial era to work done on the late 20th century.  Students will engage the critical debates within the historical profession and will become familiar with the significant trends and leading historians in the field over the one hundred years.  Special emphasis will be placed on the role contemporary events played in shaping the work of historians.  Hence, the course examines the changing landscape of history from the progressive era to the multicultural, pluralist environment of the modern U.S.  Major themes will include conflict vs. consensus, the role of race, gender, class, and religion in the nation's history, and American exceptionalism. 

• Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History (Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004) ISBN: 0312403577
• Peter Novick, That Noble Dream: The 'Objectivity Question' and the American Historical Profession (Cambridge University Press, 1988) ISBN: 0521357454 
• Richard Hofstadter, The Age of Reform (Vintage, 1955) ISBN: 0394700953 
• Bernard Bailyn, The Peopling of British North America: An Introduction (Vintage, 1988) ISBN: 0394757793 
• John Demos, The Unredeemed Captive: A Family Story from Early America (Vintage, 1994) ISBN: 0679759611 
• Steven Hahn, A Nation under Our Feet: Black Political Struggles in the 

Rural South from Slavery to the Great Migration (Harvard University Press, 2004) ISBN: 067401765X
• Alice Kessler-Harris, In Pursuit of Equity: Women, Men, and the Quest for 

Economic Citizenship in 20th-Century America (Oxford University Press, 2001) ISBN: 0195158024
• Photocopied handouts

Students will be evaluated on how well they identify and explain the significance interpretations, terms, and individuals of the American historical profession and on the basis of their reading, writing, and thinking skills.  Students are expected to read all assignments and come prepared to discuss these in class.  Always be prepared; I may call upon you at any time. Always look at the web page discussion questions for the week: http://www.enc.edu/history/am_historiog_qs.html.  Those who fail to keep up with the reading will do poorly in this course. Participation and attendance is mandatory and will figure into the overall grade.  (Obviously, if you do not attend or read the assignments, you cannot participate.) 

Unannounced pop quizzes will be given occasionally at the beginning of class.  These quizzes will cover the most recent reading assignments and in-class material.  Those who arrive late or fail to attend class will not be allowed to retake quizzes or tests, unless, of course, a written medical excuse can be provided. 

In addition to a satisfactory evaluation of this work based on content, you are expected to demonstrate competence in English composition and grammar.  (We will spend part of the course covering writing.)  Students will complete several writing assignments.  You must complete short sets of questions for 10 of the class periods.  (Questions sets will be posted at: http://www.enc.edu/history/am_historiog_qs.html.)  These will be graded on a scale of 1 to 10.  Your answers to each of the sets of questions should be typed, 1.5-2 pages, double-spaced, and cogent.  Short sets will not be accepted late.  Each student will also help lead the discussion for two of the classes, presenting the material and offering a brief summary of the key issues from the reading.  Additionally, students will complete two book review essays (4 pages).  (A guide to writing these reviews will be placed on the web as well.)  Finally, students will write one major research paper.  This will be an 8-10 page paper reviewing some aspect of American historical literature.  I will offer guidance and suggestions on topics.  Students will complete a bibliography of at least 8 items and an abstract of 1.5 pages for the final paper.  Students will also present their research at the end of the course.  Late book reviews and research papers will lose 5 percentage points for each day they are overdue.  No writing assignments will be accepted via e-mail. 

Finally, a note on academic honesty.  Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Be advised: ANY instance of cheating on tests, essays, or other assignments will result in immediate failure of the course. For more on this fascinating topic, please refer to the ENC history dept. guidelines concerning academic honesty: http://www.enc.edu/history/stephens.plagiarism.html.  Those who are guilty will be caught.  Incriminating evidence is only a Google™ search away. 

Short Response Papers  -------------------------------- 20% 
Final Research Paper ----------------------------------- 20%
Participation --------------------------------------------- 15%
2 Book Review Essays  --------------------------------- 10% 
2 In-Class Presentations of the Week’s Reading --------- 10%
Pop Quizzes  -------------------------------------------- 10% 
Attendance ---------------------------------------------- 10% 
Bibliography for final paper------------------------------- 2.5%
Abstract for final paper----------------------------------- 2.5%

Failure to complete any of the assignments will obviously result in a significant lowering of your total grade.  If this all seems too daunting, remember that the last day to register for a class is Thurs., Feb. 2nd, and the last day to drop/add a class is Thurs., Feb. 9th.

SCHEDULE OF READINGS AND DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(All readings are to be completed on the day they are listed.)