History 642.01 will examine the Civil War and Reconstruction. The syllabus is not yet ready, but we will be using these books:
James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom. Christopher Waldrep, Vicksburg's Long Shadow. Edward Ayers, In the Presence of Mine Enemies: Civil War in the Heart of America.
Students will write a research paper looking at some aspect of the Civil War, Reconstruction and the memory and meaning of the war. |
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Proseminar in American History
Civil War and Reconstruction
Professor Waldrep
Spring 2009
Tuesday & Thursday, 9:35-10:50
Jules Tygiel Memorial Seminar Room, Science 268
History 642 uses the seminar format to cover selected topics in American history. Students will prepare short papers, participate in class discussions, and complete a research paper on a topic related to civil rights and law, 1865-1965.
This proseminar will focus on American history in the “middle period,” the Civil War and Reconstruction. Three books are required: James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom; Edward Ayers, In the Presence of Mine Enemies; Christopher Waldrep, Vicksburg’s Long Shadow.
Office Hours:
8:30-9:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Science 225 and by appointment. Make appointments after class or via e-mail, cwaldrep@sfsu.edu.
To pass this course, students must:
1. Attend class and pass tests. The tests are a critical part of this course. They are not an arbitrary assignment, but a took to get students to do good, close readings of the assigned chapters. The ability to read books closely and critically – even those you may not like – is central to the work of history.
2. Complete the assigned research paper and revise it. To pass this course students must not merely turn in a final paper but complete all the pieces leading to the final paper. The final paper grade is really for the entire process of writing the paper. This includes the following:
Individual meetings with Prof. Waldrep. Failing to make these meetings and failing to come prepared is failing.
The rough draft. This means at least nine pages with a clear thesis and primary sources.
Commentary on another student’s draft. In addition to making oral comments in class, this means typing a two-page analysis, double spaced.
The revised final version turned in on final exam day. Completed papers should be fifteen pages in length.
Grading:
Tests: 50%
Research Paper: 50%
Schedule of Classes
January 27: Introduction to course; discussion of class requirements.
January 29: Mexico will Poison Us
For this class, read chapter two in McPherson.
February 3 & 5: Green Pastures and Still Waters. First Ayers book test.
Read part I of Ayers.
February 10 & 12: Paths of Righteousness. Second Ayers book test.
Read part II of Ayers.
February 17 & 19: The territories. First McPherson book test.
Read McPherson, chapters three through seven.
February 24: Secession and War. (No class February 26.)
Read McPherson, chapters eight through eleven.
March 3 & 5: The Shadow of Death. Third Ayers book test.
Read part III of Ayers
March 10 & 12: The Presence of Mine Enemies. Final Ayers book test.
Read part IV of Ayers.
March 17 & 19: The Sinews of War. McPherson book test.
Read McPherson, chapters twelve through twenty.
Use spring break to think of possible topics for your research paper.
March 24 & 25: Spring Break.
March 31: No class.
April 2: Individual meetings with Prof. Waldrep to discuss paper topics.
April 7 & 9: Individual meetings with Prof. Waldrep top discuss first three pages of your papers.
April 14: We are All Americans: The last McPherson Book Test.
Read McPherson, chapters twenty-one through twenty-eight.
April 16: Reconstruction lecture.
April 21 & 23: No class: students work on their papers. Individual meetings with Prof. Waldrep as needed.
April 28 & 30 & May 5: Civil War Memory and Reconstruction. Book and lecture test.
Read: Waldrep, Vicksburg’s Long Shadow.
May 7: Rough drafts are due.
May 12 & 14: Student presentations of their research to the class.