Wednesday 1:00-3:40

Sadler Hall 422

This course provides a historiographical overview of the period 1760-1850, with each class meeting exploring a different topic. The dates may seem arbitrary but they begin with the results of the Seven Years’ War (or events leading to the American War for Independence) and culminate with Manifest Destiny and the growth of the United States. Since this is a research course, we will engage the important historiographical subjects of the period and try to understand what topics have engaged scholars and for what reason. By the time we finish this course, we will have read some of the important books and articles that have formed the basis of our understanding of this era.

Daily expectations include: 1) reading a series of articles for discussion; 2) reading and discussing required books (each student will also submit a one-page review for each book); and 3) class participation. This class will provide the bibliographical and historiographical materials needed to prepare for qualifying exams.

So DO NOT COME TO CLASS UNPREPARED---it is a waste of time.

Each student will be required to write one research essay on a topic to be arranged between student and professor. The remaining portion of the grade will be determined by class preparation and participation.

ESSAY 70%

PARTICIPATION 30%

Final Grades are determined as such: A=100-90; B=89-80; C=79-70; F=69.

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