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HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1876
(HIST 117)
DR. ROBERT CRAY
FALL 2009
( crayr@mail.montclair.edu
)
Office: Dickson Hall 417
Office hours: Wednesday 11:30 am - 12:30 pm and 4:00-5:00
pm; Friday 7:20-8:20 am
(973) 655-5256
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to American history to 1876. As
such, the course will focus upon a variety of themes and issues as we explore the colonial
period onward to the Age of Reconstruction - a period of time marked by substantial
changes. We will note how a group of isolated colonists transformed themselves into an
independent nation, and we will see how this new nation grew and matured. This
evolutionary process was far from peaceful, however, for Americans often wrestled with
complicated issues. Topics to be covered include the colonial settlement experience,
religious sects and denominations, the American Revolution and the New Republic, the First
and Second Party Systems, Social Reform Movements, and the Civil War and Reconstruction.
COURSE BOOKS:
Brands,
American Stories.
Charles W. Akers, Abigail Adams: An American Woman.
REQUIREMENTS:
1. This course will combine lecture and discussion. Certain
days will be set aside to consider the assigned readings. You should feel free to raise
questions during the lecture.
2. There will be two examinations plus a final exam. All tests are essay
exams that require the student to write detailed, cogent essays that pay
attention to the evidence in an organized manner. There will also be three
multiple choice extra credit quizzes based on the textbook and Adams
biography assigned - these will count as part of the grade if you get eight
out of ten questions right (or more) on two quizzes. I will drop the lowest score if you
take all three quizzes. Thus, a student who averaged a C+ could receive a final grade of
B-. This option does not apply to people who have received a failing grade at semester's
end.
3. Grades: First Exam = 20%; Second Exam = 30%; Final Exam = 50%. Students who come
prepared to class and who have played a major role in class discussion may find their
contributions taken into account when the final grade is tallied. No extra credit projects
are given. Please consider this a challenging course similar to
physics and chemistry.
4. There is no formal attendance requirement but you are expected to attend class
regularly and you are held responsible for everything covered in class including all the
assignments. Moreover, there are no makeup exams except in cases of serious illness
certified by a doctor's note, which must be presented upon the FIRST DAY BACK IN CLASS.
You must telephone the day of the exam before 12:00 noon if serious illness prevents you from taking a test.
Makeup tests will be given during the date of the final exam. There are no makeup quizzes.
CLASS SCHEDULE:
| Week 1 |
Introduction
Pre-English Settlements
|
September 2, 4
Brands, 3-29 |
| Week 2 |
Discovery and Encounter
|
September 9, 11
Brands, 31-59
|
| Week 3 |
Establishing British Colonies
|
September 16, 18
Brands, 61-75
|
| Week 4 |
Maturing British Colonies
QUIZ #1 - September 23
|
September 23, 25
Brands, 87-95
|
| Week 5 |
Colonial Society
TEST #1 -October 2
|
September 30,
October 2
No reading |
| Week 6 |
To the Revolution
|
October 7, 9
Brands, 75-83, 96-151
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| Week 7 |
The Constitution
|
October 14, 16
Brands, 154-181
|
| Week 8 |
The New Republic
QUIZ #2 - October 21 |
October 21, 23
Brands, 183-237
Akers, A. Adams
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| Week 9 |
Economic Changes
|
October 28, 30
Brands, 239-261
|
| Week 10 |
The New Politics
TEST #2 -November 6 |
November 4, 6
Brands, 264-287
|
| Week 11 |
New Politics and
Social Reforms
|
November 11, 13
Brands, 292-339
|
| Week 12 |
Territorial Expansion |
November 18, 20
Brands, 331-363
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| Week 13 |
Crisis of the
Union
|
November 25
Brands, 365-387
|
| Week 14 |
The Civil War
|
December 2, 4
Brands 389-415
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| Week 15 |
Reconstruction
Quiz #3 - December 11 |
December 11
Brands, 417-447
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Questions or comments - goscinskis@mail.montclair.edu
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