This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Syllabus

Syllabus Archive

The following syllabi come from a variety of different terms. They illustrate the evolution of this course over time, and are intended to provide alternate views into the instruction of this course.

Fall 2010, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Fall 2009, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Fall 2008, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Fall 2006, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Fall 2005, Pauline Maier (PDF)

Fall 2004, Pauline Maier and Merritt Roe Smith (PDF)

Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Course Requirements

Attendance and Participation

Class attendance, completion of the readings by the class in which they will be discussed, and participation in discussions is expected of all students. Normally the class will discuss the assigned portion of the textbook and the issues it raises during the first session and the other readings assigned for the week on the second session.

Assignments

Completion of two papers, due Week 4 and Week 10. Suggested topics are listed in the assignments section. The papers are based on assigned readings and require no outside research. Students may, however, write on topics of their own devising, and may do a research paper based on materials other than those assigned so long as they receive the instructor's permission before the due date of the paper. Papers should be about five to seven pages long. They must be typed, double-spaced, with adequate margins for comments and corrections. Any research paper must include footnotes and bibliography, and all papers must provide page citations for direct quotations.

Exam

There will be a midterm examination during Week 7 and a final examination during finals week.

Calendar

WEEK # TOPICS KEY DATES
1 Introduction  
2 The Indians' America; The First European Settlements; The Chesapeake and New England  
3 The Extension of European Settlement; Empires; British Colonies in the Eighteenth Century  
4 Independence First paper due
5 Creation of the American Republic: the States  
6 Creation of the American Republic: the Nation  
7 Creation of the American Republic: the Nation (cont.); Race and Revolution; Review Midterm Exam
8 The Politics of the Early Republic  
9 Politics and Economic Development  
10 The "Age of Jackson"; An Age of Reform Second paper due
11 Expansion and Its Consequences  
12 "The Little Lady Who Caused This Big War"  
13 The Crisis of the 1850's; Secession  
14 The Civil War  
15 Results of the Civil War; Review  
  Final Exam