SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES
HIST 212 01
DR. ROBERT CRAY
SPRING 2008
(crayr@mail.montclair.edu)
973 655-5256, DICKSON HALL 416
OFFICE HOURS: Wednesday, 11:30 am -12:30 pm, 4:00-5:00 pm;
Friday, 7:25 am – 8:25 am
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This course will examine the social history of the United States from a regional perspective. Most of the lectures will be on the northern, and more particularly, the New England and Mid-Atlantic colonies and states but the readings will have a southern focus. Our starting point will be the town as community – how it originated, functioned, and matured over several centuries. We will see what happens to towns that develop into cities, become suburbs, or simply remain as small communities. As much, the course will examine the people of the towns in terms of class, ethnicity, and religion.
Course Books:
T.H. Breen and S. Innes, Myne Owne Ground.
Frederick Douglass, narrative of the Life of F. Douglass.
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Requirements:
Since this is a history elective, class time will be divided between lecture and discussion. This means paying close attention to lecture material, handouts, and the class readings.
There will be an essay midterm, a short paper of five to six pages, and an essay final. Grades: The midterm = 20%; the paper = 40%; and the final = 40%. Failure to complete the paper on time will result in grade reductions. I will use class participation to raise or lower grades depending on the quality of the contributions. So please come prepared to class. Students who miss more than three classes may also have a grade reduction.
No taping of lectures in class. Consider what happened to the last president who taped conversations. Think about it.
Class Schedule:
|
Week |
Topic |
Dates/Readings |
|
|
|
|
|
I |
England and Migration |
January 23, 25 |
|
II |
Settling the Land |
January 30, February 1 Myne Owne Ground, 3-35 |
|
III |
Crisis and Troubles |
February 6, 8 Myne Owne Ground, 36-114 |
|
IV |
Film:
Salem Witchcraft |
February 13, 15 |
|
V |
18th Century Society |
February 20, 22 |
|
VI |
Communities and the Revolution |
February 27, 29 Handouts |
|
VII |
Midterm/Lecture |
March 5, 7 |
|
VIII |
The Early Republic Town |
March 12, 14 |
|
IX |
Antebellum Communities |
March 26, 28 Narrative |
|
X |
Railroad Towns Papers Due April 4 |
April 2, 4 |
|
XI |
Film and Discussion |
April 9, 11 |
|
XII |
Twentieth Century Towns I |
April 16, 18 Mockingbird |
|
XIII |
Twentieth Century Towns II |
April 23, 25 Mockingbird |
|
XIV |
Community and Self |
April 30, May 2 |