The Early American Republic

His 453/553:001

T/TH 1:45-3:00

Shrank S 112

Dr. Gordon

Office: 200b CAS

Phone: 330-972-6603

Email: lgordon@uakron.edu

Office Hours: T/TH 3:30-4:30 and by appointment

Course Description: This course covers one of the most formative periods in U.S. history, a time marked by political strife, vast expansion, increased population, religious zeal, impassioned reform, buoyant nationalism and growing sectionalism. Through lectures, varied readings, papers and essay exams, we will explore the people, ideas, institutions and events that defined the new republic. We will pay particular attention to the national debate over slavery that eventually led to disunion and civil war

Course Objective: This class will teach you about the past, and about the fluid and constantly changing process of history. Through primary and secondary readings, analytical essays, movies, class discussions and essay exams, you will gain a deeper, more nuanced appreciation understanding of the past, and, in the process, sharpen your critical thinking skills present.

Required Texts (available at university bookstore):

Adams, Sean Patrick, ed., The Early Republic: A Documentary Reader

Greenberg, Kenneth, ed., Nat Turner: A Slave Rebellion in History and Memory

Ketcham, Ralph, The Madisons of Montpelier

Meacham, Jon, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

Wilentz, Sean, The Rise of American Democracy

Recommended Reading (available at university bookstore):

William Strunk & E. B. White, The Elements of Style

Course requirements:

Midterm…………………………………………...25%

Class Participation & Discussion…………………20%

Analytical Essays..……………………………… .30% total

Final Exam………………………………………25%

Class Attendance: Class attendance is required. You are allowed three absences (either excused or unexcused—there is no distinction) for the semester. Roll will be taken daily and more than three absences will have a detrimental effect on your final grade.

Exams: There will be a midterm exam and final exam, each covering one half of the course material. Both exams will include essay and short identification questions. All make-ups for missed tests will be on final day of class, .

Analytical Essay Assignments: : Each of you will write three short analytical essays based on Ketcham, Meacham & Greenberg. These essays should be from three to five pages, double-spaced and typed (five to seven pages for graduate students). More information on these assignments will be provided.

Class Discussions: We will devote a portion of every Thursday’s class to discuss a specific question or theme selected from the reading. I will occasionally ask you to submit questions in advance or participate in small group activities. It is imperative that you come to class on Thursdays having done all the weekly reading and be ready to interact with your classmates and me. In addition, each graduate student will be responsible for leading class discussion once during the semester. We will further discuss this in class.

Cheating: Cheating in any form (including plagiarism—presenting someone else’s words as your own) will not be tolerated. It is cause for an “F” in the course and can lead to more serious consequences. Did you know that plagiarism is a felony in the state of Ohio? Do your own work and give other people credit for theirs!

Class Etiquette: A certain level of class decorum is required in this course. I expect you come to class on time and remain for the entire class period unless you have notified me in advance. Eating in class is not permitted. Nor is it permissible to do work for another class, read newspapers, talk to classmates during lecture, talk on cell phones, text message, surf the net, or sleep. Failure to follow these basic guidelines will have a detrimental effect on your overall grade.

Additional Reading & Writing Assignments for Graduate Students: Choose 2 recent scholarly monographs (published within the last 5 years) about the Early Republic and write a 3-5 pp. critical book review. I will provide guidelines for this review. The first is due: Oct 27; the second is due: Dec 3. A good place to find potential books to read is the Journal of the Early Republic. You must submit your titles to me (in writing) by Oct. 1. Late papers will be penalized.

Weekly Topics and Class Assignments

Week 1 (Aug 25 & 27): Introduction to the Course: Defining the New Republic

Wilentz, “Preface,” pp. xiii-xvi

Adams, “Introduction: Traveling the Early Republic” pp. 1-9

Week 2 (Sept 1 & 3): The New Republic

Wilentz, pp. 3-16

Adams, pp. 13-20

Week 3 (Sept 8 & 10): The 1790s

Wilentz, pp. 17-38

Adams, pp. 21-28

Week 4 (Sept 15 & 17): The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson

Wilentz, pp. 38-67

Adams, pp. 29-38; 41-43

Week 5 (Sept 22 & 24): The War of 1812

Wilentz, pp. 68-89

Adams, 43-57

**Analytical Essay #1 Due: The Madisons of Montpelier: Tues, Sept 29 in Class**

Week 6 : (Sept 29 & Oct 1) The Era of Bad Feelings

Wilentz, pp. 93-113

Adams, pp. 61-62; 64-66

Week 7 (Oct 6 & 8): Slavery & Sectionalism

Wilentz, pp. 114-135

Adams, pp. 67-74

Week 8 (Oct 13 & 15): Religion & Reform

Wilentz, pp. 136-49

Adams, p. 63; 115-30

**Midterm, Thurs, Oct 15**

Week 9 (Oct 20 & 22): The Age of Jackson

Wilentz, pp. 159-173; 188-238

Adams, pp. 77-79; 147-52

Movie

**Essay #2 Due: Meacham, American Lion: Due Tues, Oct 27 in Class**

Week 10 (Oct 27 & 29): Antislavery & Westward Expansion

Wilentz, pp. 174-187; 207-221

Adams, pp. 79-90; 159-166; 177-183

Week 11 (Nov 3 & 5): Hard Times

Wilentz, pp. 239-52

Adams, pp. 91-112

Week 12 (Nov 10 & 12): Rise of the Whigs

Wilentz, pp. 253-67

Adams, pp. 167-173

Week 13 (Nov 17 & 19): Slavery & Abolition

Wilentz, pp. 271-87

Adams, pp. 131-144; 152-58

Week 14 (Nov 24): Slavery & Abolition (pt. 2)

Wilentz, pp. 288-305

**Essay #3 Due: Greenburg, ed. Nat Turner, Tues, Nov 24 in Class **

Week 15 (Dec 1 & 3): Manifest Destiny & The Mexican War and the seeds of Disunion

Wilentz, pp. pp. 306-350

Adams, pp. 184-213

***Final Exam: Fri, Dec 11, 2:00-3:55 PM***

Information on this syllabus, including dates of exams and reading assignments, is subject to change. I will announce all such changes in class as far in advance as possible.