History 156: United States to 1865

Instructor: William Mood

Email: wmood@faculty.ed.umuc.edu

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Purpose

This course traces the historical development of the United States from colonial times to the Civil War. It explores a wide range of subject areas, so you are certain to find a field that interests you. For example, topics will include: the ideology of revolution, the development of manufacturing techniques, the changing role of the family, the concept of equality in a democratic society and the role of the military. Most importantly, HIST 156 teaches you how to analyze the salient events that have shaped our national character and institutions over time. In the end, however, this course is really about people. It is about their lives, their ideas, and their struggles.

What is the purpose of this course?

Textbook

Boyer, Paul S., Clifford E. Clark, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, Neal Salisbury, Harvard Sitkoff, and Nancy Woloch. The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People. Vol. 1, 6th ed. Boston, Mass: Houghton Mifflin, 2008.

Do you have the correct book for this course?

Document Collections On-line:

• Amdocs: Documents for the Study of American History

• civnet.org

• Core Documents in US Democracy (GPO ACCESS)

• The Constitution of the United States. Analysis and Interpretation (Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress)

• Digital History: Primary Source Documents

• Diplomacy 1778 to the present (Avalon Project, Yale University)

• Internet History Sourcebook

• OurDocuments.gov

• Making Sense of Evidence

What are primary sources? Letters, Diaries, Newspapers, Government Documents, Photographs, Statistical Data, Legal Records ... To learn more, complete the first class assignment.

Online Audio/Video Resource

• A Biography of America

• America's History in the Making

Objectives

1. Improve your understanding of American society and politics by identifying key events and people associated with a particular historical period.

2. Develop your analytical skills and understanding of the study of history by reading primary sources.

3. Strengthen your English skills by writing a short essay.

4. Learn how to locate primary and secondary sources using internet databases and appropriate search engines.

5. Meet National History Standards.

What are your responsibilities?
 

Assignments

CLASS PROCEDURES

Regular attendance is important because participation is an essential part of this course. Missed classes mean missed assignments; therefore, you are expected to come to class and to complete reading assignments as indicated on the general outline.

NOTE: Should you miss the final exam, you must contact me before the end of term to request an incomplete (I). If you do not request an incomplete, you will automatically receive a grade of F(n) (failure for non-attendance).

OFFICE HOURS: Before class on scheduled class days.

UMUC Library Database [WilsonSelect Fulltext]

Examples of academic articles available:

Brian F. Danoff, "Lincoln, Machiavelli, and American Political Thought," Presidential Studies Quarterly v. 30 no2 (June 2000) p. 290-311.

Bruce G. Peabody, "George Washington, Presidential Term Limits, and the Problem of Reluctant Political Leadership," Presidential Studies Quarterly v. 31 no3 (Sept. 2001) p. 439-53.