HIST 80603-718

DEVELOPING THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT, 1789-1850

Dr. Gene Allen Smith

Wednesday 1:00-3:40

Reed Hall 135

 

This course is a research/writing seminar with an intensive introduction to the historiography of the period 1789-1850.  Each scheduled class meeting will cover a different topic.  Daily expectations include:  reading a series of articles for discussion; reading and discussing required books (each student will also submit a one-page [500 word] review for each book); and class participation.  This class will also provide the basic bibliographical materials one will need to complete qualifying exams, so DO NOT COME TO CLASS UNPREPARED--it is a waste of time.

 

Each student will be required to write ONE original research paper on a topic to be arranged between the student and professor; the student should strive to write a publishable paper, as it will be the overwhelming majority of the student's grade for the semester.  The remaining portion of the grade will be based on class preparation and participation.

 

          Classroom preparation and participation                    30%

          Final Paper                                                                         70%

 

Final Grades are determined as such: 

A=100-90; B=89-80; C=79-70; F=69.

 

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WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE

 

JAN 12                  INTRODUCTION TO THE ERA

                              Article #1

 

JAN 19                  THE FEDERALIST ERA, 1789-1800

                              Bibliography         Article #1    Article #2

 

JAN 26                  JEFFERSONIANS IN POWER, 1800-1812

                              Bibliography         Article #1    Article #2

 

JAN 28                  (Friday) Tour of Harlan Crow Library in Dallas

                              12:30-2:30 P.M.

 

FEB 2                     THE WAR OF 1812

                              Bibliography         Article #1    Article #2    Article #3

 

FEB 9                    ERA OF GOOD FEELINGS

                              Bibliography         Article #1     Article #2

 

FEB 16                  JACKSON AND A GROWING NATION

                              Bibliography         Article #1    Article #2

 

MAR 2                  GENERAL MEETING TO DISCUSS PROJECTS

 

APR 6                   GENERAL MEETING TO DISCUSS PROJECTS

 

APR 25                 PAPER DUE

 

MAY 4                  PAPER PRESENTATIONS

 

I expect students to meet with me periodically to discuss any problems or concerns.