HISTORY 605 AMERICAN COLONIAL HISTORY Spring 1992 Instructor: Dr. Donna Spindel Office: SH 771 Office Hrs.:MW 8:30-10; TTH 11-11:45 (and by appointment) Phone: 696-2719 ----------------------------------------------------------------- REQUIRED READING: Katz and Murrin, eds., Colonial America: Essays in Politics and Social Development Karlsen, The Devil in the Shape of a Woman Isaac, The Transformation of Virginia Wood, Black Majority COURSE OBJECTIVE: Through assigned readings and independent research, students should gain a general knowledge of America's colonial past and a specific knowledge of certain crucial areas of colonial development. This course approaches the study of early American history from the perspective of recent scholarship and current interpretive works and will emphasize how historical development of interpretive views shapes our knowledge of the past. SCHEDULE: Jan. 14 Introduction/course requirements/general background 21 The Beginnings: The South READ: Parry, "Demographic Catastrophe" Canny, "Ideology of English Colonization" 28 The Beginnings: The South READ: Axtell, "White Indians of Colonial America" Carr and Walsh, "Planter's Wife" Feb. 4 The Beginnings: New England READ: Demos, "Notes on Life in Plymouth" Greven, "Family Structure in Andover" RESEARCH PAPER: Submit paper topic 11 Puritanism READ: Karlsen, Devil in the Shape of a Woman Analysis due of above book. 18 Race in Early America READ: Jordan, "Enslavement of Africans" Menard, "Maryland Slave Population" 25 Race in Early America READ: Wood, Black Majority Analysis due of above book. Mar. 3 The Colonial World READ: Zuckerman, "Colonial Context of Democracy" Nash, "Urban Wealth and Poverty" 17 The Colonial World Summary and bibliography of research paper due. 24 The Colonial World READ: Isaac, Transformation of Virginia Analysis due of above book. 31 Religion and the Great Awakening READ: Bushman, "Great Awakening in Connecticut" Apr. 7 Colonial Economic Development 14 Towards Independence 21 Towards Independence 28 American Revolution ---------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS PARTICIPATION: Class discussion will focus on your reading and I expect that you will come to class fully prepared to discuss and evaluate the assigned articles. This is the expected and appropriate format for a small graduate level seminar. BOOK ANALYSES: These should be 2-3 pages, double-spaced, typed. The analysis is due on the day the book is scheduled for class discussion. Content: Include the major themes addressed in the book. You should consider such analytical questions as: what are the book's strengths; what are the book's flaws; what is the significance of the book?; what do other historians say about the book? (on this question you will need to consult published reviews which you must cite in your analysis). Composition: Your essays should be error free. Any more than two errors per page will result in an automatic grade reduction. Please remember that general university policies regarding plagiarism apply. Please under no circumstances are you to collaborate on these analyses. RESEARCH PAPERS: Each student will do independent research on a person, event, development, etc. in America's colonial past. The research paper should be 10-15 pages, double-spaced, typed, with footnotes at the end. The approved style for the paper is Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers. Your paper must be based on original source material (material generated during the time which you are studying), and a minimum of four such sources is required. I urge you to use the resources of the Marshall Library, but get started early in the event that you must order books on Interlibrary Loan. Submit your paper topic no later than February 4. This should be done on a single sheet of paper which contains your title, the goal of your research, and a list of sources you will use. Papers will be due on an assigned basis beginning April 14. You will need to have 3 copies of your typed paper--your own, mine, and a copy for the student reviewer (to be assigned by me). Papers should be left in an envelope on my office door no later than Friday noon before the class for which they are due. The student reviewer can pick up his or her copy there. (At any time during the writing of your paper you are welcome to bring to me a readable draft for evaluation. In fact, I encourage you to do this). PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH PAPERS: Student reviewers should prepare a 10-15 minute oral presentation of the paper, (using notes if you choose), focusing on the main points, clarity, methodology, sources, etc. Authors should also prepare a 10-15 minute presentation, summarizing their findings and emphasizing their major points. GRADING: A=90-100 B=80-89 C=70-79 D=60-69 F=59 and below 40%=Research Paper 30%=Average of book analyses 30%=Class participation ----------------------------------------------------------------- USEFUL REFERENCE MATERIALS Harvard Guide to American History Dictionary of American Biography Newspapers on Microfilm: A Union Catalogue Library of American Bibliography (microfiche)-check at Reference William and Mary Quarterly Journal of American History Journal of Southern History American Historical Review Possibilities: Consider the published papers of important figures (diaries, journals, official papers); look at the official records of a single colony; trace a development in a single newspaper.