Date |
Topics |
Readings |
Sep 13-17 |
Introduction. The Old World. |
Nash Chapter 1
Wheeler Chapter 1 |
Sep20-24 |
Invasion of the "New" World. |
Nash Chapter 2
Cronon Chapters 1-3 |
Sep 27-
Oct 1 |
Virginia and New England in the 17th Century.
First short essay due Sep 27 |
Nash Chapter 3
Cronon Chapters 4-6
Wheeler Chapter 2 |
Oct 4-8 |
Seventeenth-century society and
Colonial population. |
Nash Chapter 4
Cronon Chapters 7-8
Wheeler Chapter 3 |
Oct 11-15 |
The colonies in the 18th century.
Slavery.
Second short essay due Oct 15 |
Nash, Chapter 5, 11 |
Oct 18-22 |
Revolution. |
Nash, Chapter 6-7
Wheeler Chapter 4
Jacobs, pp. 1-79 |
Oct 25-29 |
The Constitution.
Mid-term exam October 29 |
Nash, Chapter 8
Wheeler Chapter 5
Jacobs, pp. 80-147 |
Nov 1-5 |
The Early Republic |
Nash Chapter 9
Wheeler Chapter 8
Jacobs, pp. 148-206 |
Nov 8-12 |
Industrial Revolution
Thanksgiving break |
Nash Chapter 10
Wheeler Chapter 7
All of Douglass |
Nov 15-19 |
Reform
Outline of final paper due Nov 15 |
Nash Chapter 12 |
Nov 22-24 |
Nineteenth-century politics
Draft of final paper due Nov 24 |
Nash Chapter 13
Wheeler Chapter 6 |
Nov 29-
Dec 3 |
Furniture, Sex, and Politics. |
Nash Chapter 14 |
Dec 6-10 |
War. |
Nash Chapter 15-16 Wheeler Chapters 9-10 |
Dec 13-15 |
Reconstruction-Conclusion.
Final paper due Dec 15.
Alternate final exam date: Dec 15. |
Wheeler Chapter 11 |
Dec 21 |
Official final exam date: Dec 21.
Time: 4-6 pm, same room as lecture. |
|
There will be two short essays (500 words) and a longer paper (1500
words). The short papers will be due on September 27 and October 13. A
draft of the longer paper will be due on November 24, and the final version
will be due December 15. Hand them in to your discussion leader at the
lecture on the day they are due. In addition, there will be a mid-quarter
exam on October 29, and a final exam on December 21. The exams will consist
of short answers and identifications. Grades will be based on both written
work and weekly participation in discussions; faithful attendance of discussion
sections is necessary to pass the course. The Teaching Assistants will
explain the weighting of grade components in their sections.
Assignment 1.
In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, various European powers
arrived on the shores of North America. Professor Ruggles has described
this encounter as a "brutal invasion." Other scholars have called it a
"discovery." What do you think? How would you describe the encounter between
Native Americans and Europeans? Support your argument with evidence from
the primary documents on the American
People website, the textbook, and Professor Ruggles’s lectures.
Limit your discussion to 500 words.
DUE IN LECTURE ON SEP 27.
Assignment 2.
Due in lecture on October 13, 1999 500 words
Historical interpretations of ecological change accompanying the European
settlement of North America have varied widely. Rush saw the
impact of humans on the environment as a positive, civilizing force.
Thoreau saw European settlement as the beginning of the misuse and depletion
of a natural paradise. More recently, Cronon has called for a new
historical analysis which looks simultaneously at social and ecological
change. What do you think?
Each of the following scenarios includes two human groups in a specified
environment. Select one scenario (a, b or c) and write an essay describing
cultural and ecological change during the English settlement of North America.
a) Residents of England and English settlers in New England.
b) English settlers and Native Americans in New England.
c) English settlers in New England and Virginia.
The following questions should help you organize the essay:
1. What was the relationship of each group with the land and environment
at the beginning of English settlement? Consider how the land/climate
shaped the choices presented to each group. How did the culture of
each group shape their perception/expectations of the land? Use examples
from the economic, social or political structures of the human societies.
2. How did the environment change as a result of English settlement?
Give as many specific examples as you can from the available evidence.
3. In what ways did the environmental change described in #2 result
in social or cultural change for your groups? Use examples here,
too.
Cronon will provide information for New England. Reading
assignments in Nash and Wheeler along with notes from lecture and recitation
will provide the information you need for the other areas. You may
find other useful material on internet links at the textbook website (http://longman.awl.com/nash).