Themes in American History

History 1000 Themes in American History

Spring 2003 Registration Code 2023; Section EG13 Mondays and Wednesday, 9:05 – 10:20 a.m.

David Potash 135 East 22nd Street, Room 812 (Box D-710) 212-802-2825; 212-802-2824 fax [email protected] Office Hours: By appointment; I am on campus five days a week.

Description and Objectives Spanning approximately 200 years, from the formation of the United States until the 1970s, this introductory course in American history focuses upon the formation and sources of American nationalism. Our primary concern is political history, but we will necessary spend a great deal of time examining issues of race and the rise of the US as a world power. We will also explore the United States’ dedication to democracy and democratic values. The questions we ask will demand attention to social, economic and cultural concerns.

History is not the memorization and recitation of dates and facts. Instead, history calls for the gathering and assessment of information and the creation and testing of arguments. The assignments and activities in this course are designed accordingly – there is little here that will help with Trivia Pursuit. The course’s objective is to expose students to a range of historical material, primary and secondary sources, and to help them to make cogent arguments about that material – doing history.

Requirements Active participation is required in the classroom and attendance is essential. Classroom discussions will be enhanced with occasional in-class assignments, and some assignments will be on Blackboard. I encourage you to meet with me once in a one-on-one setting during the semester, and I it would be best if that meeting happens earlier in the term.

Four absences will result in a grade of WU.

Assignments are due at the beginning of each class meeting. Assignments may be emailed to me. A full grade will be deducted for each day an assignment is late; after four days, no credit will be given for late assignments.

Be considerate to your colleagues. Before entering class, turn off all cell phones and beepers. If you are late or have to leave early, choose a seat that will not disrupt discussion. The doors to the classroom lock automatically, and I will not admit students after 9:20.

History 1000 - Spring 2003 1 In addition to providing material in a typed or electronic format, you must familiarize yourself with Blackboard and the web. URLs (web addresses) for pertinent sites will be provided and the vast majority of the class information will be available electronically. Furthermore, some assignments may be completed online. An extraordinary rich variety of historical information can be accessed through the internet. If you need an email account, obtain one by following the instructions on the Baruch College home page. Almost all of the course material will be available through Blackboard, Baruch’s online course delivery system. We will review Blackboard, which is available from the college’s home page.

Learning history does not offer much in the way of shortcuts. Most historical knowledge is obtained through reading and reading takes time. A good rule of thumb is that you will need at least 2-3 hours of study for each hour spent in the classroom. The pace of the course demands that you keep up with the readings and other assignments. If you have difficulty maintaining the schedule, meeting deadlines, or any other problems relating to the course, contact me immediately. I am on campus 5 days a week and am always available through email.

Grading Your grade for the course will consist of the following:

 Participation: attendance, active contributions to discussions and classroom exercises (in person and on the web), as well as one substantive discussion/exchange with me (10%)  Mid-term Exam: essay/short answer (10%)  Final Exam: essay/short answer (10%)  4 Quizzes: multiple choice (20%)  5 Writing Assignments (50%)

Required Texts Purchase the following textbooks, all of which are available in the Baruch Bookstore: Eric Foner, The Story of American Freedom (NY: Norton, 1998) Gary Gerstle, American Crucible (Princeton, 2002)

Other required readings and handouts will be posted via Blackboard on the web.

Recommended Texts Students unfamiliar with US history are strongly encouraged to consider purchasing a survey textbook. Many are good; but I recommend: Berkin, Carol et. al., Making America (Houghton Mifflin)

Also, there is a wealth of information and strategies available in the following handbook: Berkin, Carol and Anderson, Betty S., The History Handbook (Houghton Mifflin)

History 1000 - Spring 2003 2 Schedule of Classes (Subject to Revision)

1 – Monday Introduction Introductory Quiz January 27 American values and colonial America 2 – Wednesday Revolution and the creation of the US Study Guide 1 January 29 Read: AF 1-28 (Birth of American Freedom) (HIS 1000 assessment) Declaration of Independence Smith on reserve 3 – Monday Read: AF 29-46 (To Call it Freedom) February 3 Read US Constitution & the Federalist papers (#10 in particular) 4 – Wednesday Constitution & Federalist Papers Draft Writing Assignment 1 February 5 5 – Monday Read: AF 47-68 (Empire of Liberty) Study Guide 2 February 10 AF 69-94 (Boundaries of Freedom in the Young Republic) 6 – Wednesday Read Frederick Douglass – selection Quiz February 19 available via Blackboard 7 – Monday Civil War Study Guide 3 February 24 Read: Handout – Mississippi Black Codes 8 – Wednesday Civil War & Reconstruction Writing Assignment 2 February 26 MS Black Codes 9 – Monday Reconstruction: March 3 Read: AF 95-113 (A Birth of New Freedom) 10 – Wednesday Gilded Age Study Guide 4 March 5 Read: AF 114-137 (Liberty of Contract and its Discontents) 11 – Monday Read: Chinese Exclusion Act Quiz March 10 12 – Wednesday Progressive Era Study Guide 5 March 12 Read: AF 138-161 (Progressive Freedom) 13 – Monday Problem of Progressivism March 17 Read AC (Chapters 1 & 2) 14 – Wednesday Review for Midterm Exam Writing Assignment 3 March 19 15 – Monday Midterm Exam March 24 16 – Wednesday WWI and 1920s Study Guide 7 March 26 Read: AF 162-193 (The Birth of Civil Liberties) 17 – Monday Read AC (Chapter 3) March 31 18 – Wednesday 1920s continued Writing Assignment 4 April 2 19 – Monday New Deal Study Guide 8

History 1000 - Spring 2003 3 April 7 Read: AF 194-218 (The New Deal and the Redefinition of Freedom) 20 – Wednesday Read: AC (Chapter 4) April 9 21 – Monday WWII Study Guide 9 April 14 Read: AF 219-249 (Fighting for Freedom) Quiz 22 – Tuesday WWII Writing Assignment 5 April 15 Read: AC (Chapter 5) 23 – Monday Cold War Study Guide 10 April 28 Read: AF 250-273 (Cold War Freedom) 24 – Wednesday Read: AC (Chapter 6) April 30 25 – Monday Voting Rights Act, Civil Rights Act Study Guide 11 May 5 Read: AF 274-306 (Sixties Freedom) 26 – Wednesday Read AC (Chapter 7) Quiz May 7 27 – Monday Vietnam Study Guide 12 May 12 Read AC (Chapter 8) 28 – Wednesday 1970s-1980s Writing Assignment 6 May 14 Read: AF 307-332 (Conservative Freedom) Read: AC (Chapter 9) Review for Final Week Final Examination May 17th

History 1000 - Spring 2003 4