History 5452
The
american revolution
Class: History 5452 section 1 (81042) Email:
kpacholl@westga.edu
Time: TTh
12:30pm-1:45pm (Fall 2005) Office Hours: TTh 8:00am – 9:30am
Room: Pafford 204 W
8:00am – 11:00am
Phone: (678) 839-6044 – office W 1:00pm – 2:30pm
(678) 839-6508 – history department (and by
appointment)
GOALS
& OBJECTIVES
Welcome to History 5452. This course explores one of
those “transforming” events in American history, the American Revolution. The course begins with the French and Indian War
of the 1750s and will conclude with the official ending of the war in 1783. We
will examine the coming of the American Revolution, the war years, and the results
of this conflict. This course will focus on a multitude of different themes
(politics, economics, warfare, culture, religion, race, gender, and other
social developments) in an attempt to understand this crucial era. 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.
You will
also engage in original research by writing a paper based upon primary and
secondary sources that deal with this period of American history. Finally, you
will become familiar with some of the historiographical debates surrounding the
American Revolution.
ASSIGNED
Gordon Wood, The American Revolution: A History
Richard D. Brown,
Major Problems in the Era of the
American Revolution (2nd
edition)
Gregory Dowd, War Under Heaven
Mary Beth Norton,
Sylvia Frey, Water From the Rock
Andrew O’Shaughnessy,
An Empire Divided
Gordon Wood, The Radicalism of the American Revolution
EXAMS: There will be two exams given throughout the
semester: a midterm and a final. All exams will be written (identifications
and various essay lengths) and will be based upon the lectures and assigned
reading 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 no later than one
week before the exam date. Failure to
provide a bluebook means you will not be able to take the exam. 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 (October 13 and December 15) – there are NO exceptions to this rule, so please don’t ask.
ANALYTICAL PAPERS: You will write two papers: one based upon Gordon Wood’s Radicalism of the American Revolution
and another based upon one of the other four monographs assigned in the course
(excluding The American Revolution by
Wood and Major Problems by Brown).
The due dates for each are listed 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.
RESEARCH PAPER: You will write a 20-25 page (minimum)
research paper for this course on a subject of your choosing that is approved
by me. Handouts will be provided
outlining my guidelines for the research paper.
This paper will be due on November 29.
Absolutely no late papers – no paper, no grade.
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 materials assigned for the course). Discussions will occur either
in groups or as a class and will be based upon the Major Problems in the American Revolution textbook, the four
monographs, supplemental readings, and the videos/movies. 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.
As a
graduate student, you will also be meeting up with the other graduate students
on a regular basis outside of the scheduled class times (sorry, but this is the
only way we can have a true graduate component to the class). We will be meeting to
discuss graduate-related issues associated with the research paper as well as
historiographical issues concerning the American Revolution. These meetings are mandatory
and points will be deducted from your discussion grade for each absence from
them. Meeting times will be decided the
first week of class. If you can’t make them, then you shouldn’t take this
course.
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, your final grade would be
adjusted to a 89%. There are no
exceptions to this rule.
GRADING
Midterm exam: 15% Analytical
paper 1: 10%
Final exam: 15% Analytical
paper 2: 10%
Discussion: 25% Research
paper: 25%
***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
or leave early, 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
points deducted in your overall course grade, dismissal from class, in
addition
to other 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 or course schedule.
COURSE
SCHEDULE
August 23 Introduction
25 Roundtable discussion on the American
Revolution
-Discussion: The
Revolution Preserved Social Inequality, 4-8
The Revolution Destroyed Monarchy . . .,
8-13
30 The Atlantic World in 1750 (read Gordon Wood, The American Revolution,
3-44)
September 1 American society in the Revolutionary age
- Discussion 1: John
Adams, a College Graduate, Views Rural
Philip Vickers Fithian, A
The Emergence of Popular Politics, 59-69
6 The coming of the French and Indian War
8 The French and Indian War
13 [Dowd
book due] Consequences of the French
and Indian War
-
Discussion 2: Franklin Predicts the Plan of
Order in Council on the Reform of the
Customs Service, 76-77
Rev. Thomas Barnard Looks to Future Glories,
77-78
Friction Between Colonial Troops and British
Regulars, 79-87
15
-
Discussion 3: “William Pym” Asserts Parliamentary Authority, 103-105
The House of Commons Questions Benjamin
Franklin, 105-110
Parliament Repeals the Stamp Act but Declares
Its Authority, 112
The Assertion of Parliamentary Control and
Its Significance, 119-128
20 Colonial protests and resistance
-
Discussion 4: Governor Bernard Describes the Stamp Act Riots, 100-102
The Townshend Acts & the Consolidation
of . . . , 128-136
22 The great debate: what does it mean to be “British” and
“American”
-
Discussion 5: Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions, 1765, 99
Declarations of the Stamp Act Congress,
102-103
John Dickinson Exhorts the Colonists to
Opposition, 113-117
Thomas
Jefferson Asserts American Rights, 146-152
27 The plot thickens with more laws,
resistance, “murder,” and a tea party
29 One teabag too far: the coming of the American Revolution
October 4 1775
(read Gordon Wood, The American Revolution, 47-109)
6 What does all this mean? The debate for
-
Discussion 6: Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress, 152-154
Thomas Paine Calls for Common Sense, 155-170
The Declaration of
11 Movie: 1776
13 EXAM
#1
October 18 Fighting in the American Revolution
-
Discussion 7: John Adams Discusses Military Preparations, 191-194
General George Washington Asks Congress . .
., 194-197
A Soldier Views Mutiny Among American
Troops, 198-200
Hearts and Minds: The Case of “Long Bill”
Scott, 205-212
20
-
Discussion 8: Patriots Intimidate a
A Patriot Urges Congress to Execute
Loyalists, 229
A Newspaper Attack on Loyalists, 229-231
Thomas Hutchinson Criticizes The Declaration
. . ., 231-233
Loyalists Plead their Cause to King,
Parliament, . . ., 233-236
The Loyalists Confront Civil, Revolutionary,
and . . ., 247-254
24 [Norton
book due] Women and the Revolution
27 Movie: Mary
Silliman’s War
November 1 Catch-22:
The Native American experience
-
Discussion 9:
John Adams Reports on Congress’s Strategy .
. ., 226-227
Chickasaw Indians Seek Help, 227-228
There was no winning strategy for the
Indians, 238-247
3 [Frey
book due] Slavery, African-Americans, and the American Revolution
8 Impact of the war on the homefront
-
Discussion 10: The
Was
There a Revolutionary Millennium?, 326-334
The
Role of Religion in the Revolution, 334-339
10 The
15 The
17 [O’Shaughnessy
book due] The American Revolution: A
“World War”
22 The Southern Campaigns
24 NO
CLASS:
ENJOY THANKSGIVING!
29 [Research
papers due] 1781 and
December 1 Evaluating George Washington (guest
lecturer: John Ferling)
6 Peace and the end of the American
Revolution (read Wood, The American Revolution, 113-135)
8 The
[Radicalism
of the American Revolution due – December 8]
15 FINAL
EXAM, Thursday, December 15, 11:00am-1:00pm