History 4451
Colonial
Class: History 4451 section 1 Office Hours: TTh 8:30am
– 9:30am,
TTh 12:30pm – 1:45pm TTh 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Room: Pafford 208 W 9:00am – 11:00am
Office: TLC 3245 W 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Phone: (678) 839-6044 – office (and
by appointment)
(678) 839-6508 – history department
Welcome
to History 4451. This course explores the development of North American society
from the time of European contact until the Seven Years’ War. It will seek to understand the American
experience from a variety of different viewpoints: Africans (both enslaved and
free), Native Americans, and the European settlers. In addition, we will examine American society
by focusing upon a multitude of themes:
race, gender, politics, economics, religion, warfare, culture, and other
social developments. We will explore how these diverse groups interacted with
one another and gradually created a unique society that fluctuated between
accommodation and friction between them. By the end of this course, you should
be able to demonstrate knowledge of historical facts, themes, and ideas of this
era, as well as improve your ability to analyze and evaluate historical
evidence.
ASSIGNED
Richard
Middleton, Colonial
Karen
Ordahl Kupperman, Major Problems in American Colonial History, 2nd edition (discussion book)
Peter
Wood, Black Majority
Patricia
Bonomi, The Lord Cornbury Scandal
Daniel
Usner, Indians, Settlers, and Slaves in a
Frontier Exchange Economy
Laurel
Ulrich, Good Wives
William
Cronon, Changes in the Land
TESTS: There will be two tests given throughout the
semester. All exams will be written
(identifications and various essay lengths) and will be based upon the lectures
and assigned materials. A study guide will be passed out prior to each exam,
and at that time I will tell you the exact nature of each exam. You will need bluebooks for the exams, which
I will collect from you one week
before the exam date. Make-up exams are
practically non-existent and will be considered only in the most extreme
emergency, which must be documented (no documentation means no make-up). You
must contact me before the exam is over if such an emergency arises. Failure to
show up means no (0) points for that exam. You must take the exams on the day
they are listed on the course schedule (March 8 and May 5) – there are NO exceptions to this rule, so please
don’t ask.
discussion: Class participation is an important part of
your grade, so be sure to show up having read the assignments (you are REQUIRED
to read all of discussion readings). Discussions will occur either in groups or
as a class and will be based upon both the Major
Problems in Colonial America textbook and the five monographs. You will
also lead one class discussion based upon the assigned discussion readings.
Expect unannounced quizzes on the various reading
assignments (which could include ANY of the assigned books and videos). Your
discussion grade includes: preparing
for, and participating in, and the quality of your class discussions; leading one class discussion; quizzes on discussion material; student conduct; and any other
material assigned throughout the course of the semester that is not listed on
this syllabus.
PAPERS: You will write two papers based upon the five
monographs assigned in the course (excluding Colonial America by Middleton and Major Problems by Kupperman). You will get to choose the two books for your
papers. The due dates for the papers are the day assigned for the particular book
you have chosen (the dates are located in the syllabus under the course
schedule). Absolutely no late papers –
no paper, no grade. Further instructions
and guidelines concerning the papers will be handed out later in the class.
FILM
REVIEW: You will have to
write 1 film review for the class based upon the two films shown throughout the
semester. Handouts will be provided
outlining my guidelines for this review.
attendance: Students are responsible for attending all
classes. This is extremely important,
particularly since we will be having discussions on a regular basis and you
will be participating in each of them.
Role will be taken at the beginning of each class. You will be
considered absent if you show up after role has been taken, so please be sure
to arrive on time (habitual lateness will thus be penalized). In addition, leaving early without permission
will also count as an absence. One
percentage point will be deducted from your overall final grade for each
absence. I will give you 2 “free spins” (meaning 2 absences won’t count against
you) before I start deducting points (meaning I will start deducting beginning
the 3rd absence). For example, if your final grade percentage was
91%, and you were absent for a total of 4 classes, then your final grade would
be adjusted to a 89%. There are no
exceptions to this rule.
GRADING
Discussion: 30% Film
Review: 10%
***There is NO EXTRA CREDIT accepted for this
course
GRADING SCALE
4.0 A
3.0 B
2.0 C
1.0 D
0.0 F
Assessment Criteria for grades:
-precise and comprehensive understanding of the material
-thoroughly identifies, defines, and describes all key
themes/concepts/issues/idea of the course
-work contains no factual inaccuracies
-excellent
writing, with little to no errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax,
etc.
-very focused and organized
-correctly identifies all key themes of the readings
-clear understanding of the material
-identifies, defines, and describes most key
themes/concepts/issues/idea of the course
-work contains few factual inaccuracies
-strong writing, with few errors in spelling,
punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc.
-well focused and organized
-correctly identifies most key themes of the readings
-adequate understanding of the material
-identifies, defines, and describes some of the key
themes/concepts/issues/idea of the course
-work contains factual inaccuracies
-average
writing, with some errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc.
-somewhat focused and organized
-adequately identifies major key themes of the readings
-poor understanding of the material
-identifies, defines, and describes few key
themes/concepts/issues/idea of the course
-work contains many factual inaccuracies
-below average
writing, with some errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax, etc.
-poorly focused
and organized
-barely identifies major key themes of the readings
Work that fails to meet any of the standards set forth
above, or which is exceptionally inadequate
STUDENT
CONDUCT
Students are obligated to abide by the guidelines
detailed in the university catalogue.
Respect and courtesy are required
of all
students while in the classroom. The
following is mandatory:
1. No arriving late or leaving early (unless you have
checked in with me in advance). Arriving
late or leaving
early will
count as one absence. Arriving late is defined as arriving after
role has been taken. Leaving early
is defined as
leaving class once the class has started.
If you habitually arrive late, you will be asked to leave.
2. Cell phones, pagers, headphones, and all other
electronic devices must be turned off during class. I will confiscate
any I hear
going off. Also, no tape recorders. If
you have any documentation needs, please let me know.
3. Once the exam has been given, there is no leaving the room.
Once you leave the room, you are finished
taking the
exam. Also, no dictionaries,
thesauruses, or electronic devices can be used for the exam. Absolutely
no talking
during the exam – if you do, then your exam is finished at that exact point.
4. Any form of academic dishonesty (including cheating
and plagiarism) will result in a failing
course grade as
well as
possible additional action. Definitions of academic dishonesty and plagiarism
are defined in university
catalog, so
please familiarize yourself with them. I WILL CATCH YOU AND HAVE NO MERCY, SO
PLEASE DON’T DO IT!
If you have any questions regarding the above, feel free
to contact me at any time, or read the university catalogue. Adherence to the “common sense” law should
prevent any of the above problems. Any disruptive behavior or failure to adhere
to these guidelines could result in dismissal from class to additional
disciplinary action.
I reserve the right to modify
this syllabus at any time during the course of the term, particularly regarding
the course schedule. If such a
modification is substantial, I will reissue a revised syllabus.
January 11 Introduction
& Roundtable discussion on Colonial America
13 European background to colonization
January 18 American
Indian background: The Iroquois, a case study ,18-43 (pages from the Colonial America book)
20 Spanish & French colonization of
-Discussion 1: Alvar
Nunez Cabeza de Vaca Acts as a Curer and Shaman . . . , 28-29
Fray Alonso de Benavides Reports New Mexico
Indians . . ., 157-159
New Mexico’s Indians Rebel Against
Suppression . . ., 160-161
Pedro
Naranjo Describes Pope’s Vision . . . , 161-164
25 Film:
27 Black Robe
February 1
-Discussion 2: Richard
Hakluyt Lists the Great Riches to be Had . . ., 222-225
Richard
Ligon Describes the Beginnings of Sugar Cultivation . . .,
226-231
3 [Cronon
Paper Due] Garden
of Eden or nature run amok? A “clash of
environments”
8
-Discussion 3: Captain
John Smith Analyzes the Human Scene . . ., 58-64
George
Alsop Argues that Servants in Maryland have a Good Deal . . ., 68-70
Richard
Frethorne Begs his Parents for Support . . ., 65-67
10 The
-Discussion 4: The
Rev. Thomas Hooker Warns of
Governor John Winthrop Gives a Model . . .,
91-92
The
Reverend Thomas Welde Describes the Success . . ., 94-95
John
Winthrop Laments the Growth of . . ., 95-97
15 The Middle Colonies, 103-109, 115-122,
145-152, 181-184
-Discussion 5: Daniel
Denton Describes the Recently Acquired . . ., 181-182
Sarah
Kemble Knight Encounters Dutch and English . . .,
183-184
Per
Kalm Offers Impressions of
Francis
Daniel Pastorius Recalls the Founding of
. . ., 191-194
Dr. Alexander Hamilton Surveys the Variety
of . . ., 439-445
-Discussion 6: Thomas
Nairne Reassures Prospective Settlers . . ., 231-232
Indian Trader John Lawson’s Journal of
Carolina . . ., 256-258
James
Oglethorpe, “Persons Reduc’d to Poverty
. . ., 262-265
J.
Hector St. John Crevecoeur Contrasts the Culture . . ., 233-235
22 A “rebellious” people, 111-114, 130-140,
154-171
24 [Usner Paper Due] Colonial / Indian relations,
314-341
-Discussion 7: John
Easton Tries to Avert the War by Hearing King. . ., 120-121
Mary
Rowlandson Interprets Her Captivity During . . .,
124-127
Mary
Jemison Recounts her Experience of Capture . . .,
403-408
Missionary
David Brainerd Describes His Encounter . . ., 417-419
March 1 The
Salem Witchcraft trials, 173-181
-Discussion 8: Increase
Mather Describes the Proofs of Witchcraft . . ., 127-129
The
Court Examines Rebecca Nurse and Takes . . ., 129-135
3 Film: Three Sovereigns for Sarah
8 EXAM
#1
10 The colonial economy & the transatlantic
network, 114-115, 197-223, 381-385
-Discussion 9:
Gottlieb
Mittelberger Describes the System of Recruiting. . .,
197-203
Consumption,
Anglicization, and the Formation of. . ., 454-460
The Continuing Connection Between Barbados &
South Carolina . . ., 245-253
15 [Wood
Paper Due] The
Rise of American slavery, 311-334
17 American slave life, 286-312
-Discussion 10: Olaudah
Equiano Recalls His Enslavement . . ., 292-296
Johan
Martin Bolzius Describes the Slaves’ Lives . . .,
298-302
J.
Hector St. John Crevecoeur Contrasts the Culture . . .,
233-235
Time,
Space, and the Evolution of Afro-American Soceity . . .,
302-315
22 NO
CLASS:
24 SPRING BREAK
29 The Enlightenment and scientific
thought, 267-284
31 The Great Awakening, 259-267
-Discussion 11: Benjamin
Franklin Listens to His Friend George Whitefield, 331-333
Gilbert Tennent Presents the Danger of an
Unconverted . . ., 335-336
A
Newspaper Account of the Expulsion of James . . .,
338-340
Itinerancy
and the Awakenings . . ., 346-353
April 5 Family
& society in early
-Discussion 12: The
Reverend Charles Woodmason Views the . .
., 340-346
Janet
Schaw Visits
Jean-Bernard
Bossu Advises Newcomers . . ., 445-447
7 [Ulrich
Paper Due] Women in early
12 Women in early
-Discussion 13: The
Experience of White Women in the
Outspoken
Women and Witchcraft Accusations . . ., 145-151
Conrad Wiser Describes Madame Montour . . .,
401-402
Moravian Leader Count Zinzendorf Records his
Impressions . . ., 402-403
14 Inside the world of a tavern: a “man’s life”
-Discussion
14: Governor Bellomont of
Transatlantic
Interest Groups and the Colonial Governors . . .,
379-389
21 [Bonomi
Paper Due] Colonial politics, part 2
26 Imperial warfare, 189-192, 416-421
28 Colonial
-Discussion 15: British
Imperial Policy and the Frontier . . ., 389-399
The
Dilemma of American National Identity . . ., 460-465
May 5 EXAM
#2, Thursday, MAY 5, 11:00am – 1:00pm