24 April 2006
Syllabus
History 320-02 Topics in History: The Civil War
Professor: Dr. Frances Jones-Sneed Ph.D
Office: 72 Porter Street
Office Hours: Tu & Th 11:00am-12noon We 1:00pm-2:00pm
Or by appointment
Phone: 413-662-5541
Email: jonessneed@yahoo.com
Course Description:
The American Civil War was one of the most important events in United States history; some have even referred to it as the Second American Revolution. This course will discuss the development of Southern and Northern society, how their differences led to the worst war in American history, the course and impact of the war, and the different attempts to reestablish the country after the fighting. This course examines the causes, character, and consequences of that great American tragedy, the Civil War. We will consider the failure of antebellum political mechanisms, the growth of sectionalism, justifications for and against secession, the methods and implications of war, competing constitutional systems during the conflict, efforts to eradicate Southern separatism and the lingering cultural implications of the nation’s fratricidal dispute.
Goals and Objectives:
Course Requirements:
Discussion and dissection of assigned readings will serve as the center for class meetings, so preparation, attendance, and participation in discussion is mandatory. Although there will be occasional presentations or lectures, we will usually conduct the class much like a seminar, wherein discussion and dialogue rather than monologue and lecturing characterize the class. Student participation in discussion is REQUIRED and will figure as 10 percent of each student’s final grade. Independent thinking is highly encouraged as long as it is informed thinking – that is, thinking informed by credible sources (your readings, for instance) – but especially as long as diplomacy, respect, and tact govern its sharing and expression. Because the emphasis in this class is on collaborative learning and discussion, attendance is mandatory and will count as a significant portion of the class participation grade.
Each student will be required to do two class presentations that include a 3-5 page summary of the day’s reading assignment, keep a daily journal (1-2 pages) in reaction to the readings, do film summaries and their connection to primary and secondary sources, and a final project to be approved by the instructor.
Required Texts:
Donald, David Herbert , Baker Jean Harvey, and Holt Michael F. The Civil War and Reconstruction. 1st ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001.
Gienapp, William E. The Civil War and Reconstruction: A Documentary Collection. 1st ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001.
Toplin, Robert Brent, ed. Ken Burn's The Civil War: Historians Respond. 1sy ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Schedule of Readings
1/19 Introduction to the Course
1/24 Donald, Chapters 1-3
1/26 Donald, Chapters 4-5
Gienapp, pp. 1-70
1/31 Donald, Chapters 6-7
Gienapp, pp. 71-82
2/2 Donald, Chapters 8-9
Gienapp, pp. 83-114
2/7 Donald, Chapters 10-11
Gienapp, pp. 115-130
2/9 Donald, Chapters 12-13
Gienapp, pp. 131-146
2/14 Donald, Chapters 14-15
Gienapp, pp. 147-164
2/16 Test # 1: Take Home (Please E-mail)
2/21 Donald, Chapters 16-17
Gienapp, pp. 165-178
2/23 Donald, Chapters 18-19
Gienapp, pp. 179-218
2/28 Donald, Chapters 20-21
Gienapp, pp. 219-248
3/2 Donald, Chapters 22-23
Gienapp, pp. 293-316
3/7 Donald, Chapters 24-25
Gienapp, pp. 377-418
SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK
3/21 Test # 2: Take Home (Please E-mail)
3/23 Toplin, Chapter 1, Burns’ Civil War
3/28 Toplin, Chapter 2
3/30 Toplin, Chapter 3
4/4 Toplin, Chapter 4
4/6 Toplin, Chapter 5
4/11 Toplin, Chapter 6
4/13 Toplin, Chapter 7
4/18 Toplin, Chapter 8 & Test # 3: Take Home (Please E-mail) "You came into class with a predisposition on the Civil War. What will you take away from the books, movie, and class discussions to show your growth in the topic...both educationally and personally?" Also, 250-500 word letter to Mr. Ken Burns in response to seeing The Civil War and reading Historians Respond
4/20 CLASS CANCELLED
4/25 Toplin, Chapter 9
4/27 Final Projects: Tracy, Ivy, Emily, Andy.
5/2 Final Projects: Robert, James, Pat, Nate. ¶ 4/24/2006 12:00:00 AM
History 320-02 Topics in History: The Civil War
Professor: Dr. Frances Jones-Sneed Ph.D
Office: 72 Porter Street
Office Hours: Tu & Th 11:00am-12noon We 1:00pm-2:00pm
Or by appointment
Phone: 413-662-5541
Email: jonessneed@yahoo.com
Course Description:
The American Civil War was one of the most important events in United States history; some have even referred to it as the Second American Revolution. This course will discuss the development of Southern and Northern society, how their differences led to the worst war in American history, the course and impact of the war, and the different attempts to reestablish the country after the fighting. This course examines the causes, character, and consequences of that great American tragedy, the Civil War. We will consider the failure of antebellum political mechanisms, the growth of sectionalism, justifications for and against secession, the methods and implications of war, competing constitutional systems during the conflict, efforts to eradicate Southern separatism and the lingering cultural implications of the nation’s fratricidal dispute.
Goals and Objectives:
- To develop intellectual interests and analytical skills acquired by students in the first two years;
- To offer the opportunity to study previously unfamiliar methodological approaches, chronological periods and geographical area by offering a wide and flexible choice of option;
- To offer the opportunity to develop skills in historical computing, as well as basic IT awareness;
- To introduce complex historical debates and interpretations, to develop skills in interpreting primary sources where appropriate, and to inform the discussions with new ideas derived from lecturers’ current research;
- To encourage the development of transferable skills by fostering individual initiative, personal choice, group discussions, and, where appropriate, problem-solving.
Course Requirements:
Discussion and dissection of assigned readings will serve as the center for class meetings, so preparation, attendance, and participation in discussion is mandatory. Although there will be occasional presentations or lectures, we will usually conduct the class much like a seminar, wherein discussion and dialogue rather than monologue and lecturing characterize the class. Student participation in discussion is REQUIRED and will figure as 10 percent of each student’s final grade. Independent thinking is highly encouraged as long as it is informed thinking – that is, thinking informed by credible sources (your readings, for instance) – but especially as long as diplomacy, respect, and tact govern its sharing and expression. Because the emphasis in this class is on collaborative learning and discussion, attendance is mandatory and will count as a significant portion of the class participation grade.
Each student will be required to do two class presentations that include a 3-5 page summary of the day’s reading assignment, keep a daily journal (1-2 pages) in reaction to the readings, do film summaries and their connection to primary and secondary sources, and a final project to be approved by the instructor.
Required Texts:
Donald, David Herbert , Baker Jean Harvey, and Holt Michael F. The Civil War and Reconstruction. 1st ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001.
Gienapp, William E. The Civil War and Reconstruction: A Documentary Collection. 1st ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001.
Toplin, Robert Brent, ed. Ken Burn's The Civil War: Historians Respond. 1sy ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Schedule of Readings
1/19 Introduction to the Course
1/24 Donald, Chapters 1-3
1/26 Donald, Chapters 4-5
Gienapp, pp. 1-70
1/31 Donald, Chapters 6-7
Gienapp, pp. 71-82
2/2 Donald, Chapters 8-9
Gienapp, pp. 83-114
2/7 Donald, Chapters 10-11
Gienapp, pp. 115-130
2/9 Donald, Chapters 12-13
Gienapp, pp. 131-146
2/14 Donald, Chapters 14-15
Gienapp, pp. 147-164
2/16 Test # 1: Take Home (Please E-mail)
2/21 Donald, Chapters 16-17
Gienapp, pp. 165-178
2/23 Donald, Chapters 18-19
Gienapp, pp. 179-218
2/28 Donald, Chapters 20-21
Gienapp, pp. 219-248
3/2 Donald, Chapters 22-23
Gienapp, pp. 293-316
3/7 Donald, Chapters 24-25
Gienapp, pp. 377-418
SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK
3/21 Test # 2: Take Home (Please E-mail)
3/23 Toplin, Chapter 1, Burns’ Civil War
3/28 Toplin, Chapter 2
3/30 Toplin, Chapter 3
4/4 Toplin, Chapter 4
4/6 Toplin, Chapter 5
4/11 Toplin, Chapter 6
4/13 Toplin, Chapter 7
4/18 Toplin, Chapter 8 & Test # 3: Take Home (Please E-mail) "You came into class with a predisposition on the Civil War. What will you take away from the books, movie, and class discussions to show your growth in the topic...both educationally and personally?" Also, 250-500 word letter to Mr. Ken Burns in response to seeing The Civil War and reading Historians Respond
4/20 CLASS CANCELLED
4/25 Toplin, Chapter 9
4/27 Final Projects: Tracy, Ivy, Emily, Andy.
5/2 Final Projects: Robert, James, Pat, Nate. ¶ 4/24/2006 12:00:00 AM
