AMERICAN COLONIAL HISTORY, 1607-1763
(HIST 433)
Dr. Robert Cray
( crayr@mail.montclair.edu   )
SPRING 2009
Dickson Hall 417
973 655-5256

Office Hours:
Wednesday 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, 4:00-5:00 PM; Friday 7:20 AM-8:20 AM

The purpose of this course is to explore the British North American colonies from 1607-1763. As such, we shall examine how once tiny and often struggling settlements slowly transformed themselves into well-established societies. This process was seldom easy. Different colonial regions—New England, the Middle colonies, the Chesapeake, and the Lower South, experienced varying degrees of political, economic, and social tension. Often, the ideals of colonial founders eroded as communities within these regions redefined themselves as an ethnically diverse population took root. This course will attempt to examine these issues.

Since this is an upper level elective, we will read several important mongraphs, one novel, and one primary account of eighteenth century life.  Close readings of these books is required in order to do well on essay tests.

Course Books

R. Bourne, Red King's Rebellion.
Steven Sarson, British America, 1500-1800.
R. Allison, Interesting Narrative ... Olaudah Equiano.
Susan Klepp and Billy Smith, The Infortunate

Requirements

1. You are expected to attend class and complete the readings on the dates assigned. Please come prepared.

2. There will be a short paper, amidterm, term paper, and final. All exams require a coherent, detailed argument with attention to evidence. Questions for the midterm and final will be supplied beforehand, but I will select the ones to write upon during the test.  The short paper is three pages long and based on primary source documents that I supply.  The term paper topic must also be approved: you should write a ten to twelve page paper, double space, that employs at least eight secondary sources and one primary source. The latter source - travel accounts, town records, legal codes, diaries, letters, papers, et.al. - will serve as the foundation of the paper.  You must talk to me during office hours to get your topic approved - that means an actual visit.  Please keep research notes or cards, since I reserve the right to examine them upon the completion of your paper.  Please make yourself aware of the university policy on plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty.  This can be found on the web under the heading I.  Violations/A.  Academic Dishonesty at:  
http://www.montclair.edu/pages/deanstudents/regulations.html 

3. Grades: short paper=1-% midterm=20%, term paper=40%; final=30%. Class participation will also be used to influence the final grade, hence final grades can go up or down by a third of a grade depending upon your efforts or lack thereof.  . There is no excuse for late tests and papers except for serious illness verified by a doctor's note presented on the first day back to class. You must telephone no later than 5 PM on the day papers and tests are given.  Late papers and assignments will be graded down. There are no extra credit projects.

4. I will take the role from time to time in order to learn your names. Whether here or not, you are responsible for any material covered.

Class Schedule

History Home Page
Questions or comments:  goscinskis@mail.montclair.edu .