This course serves as the graduate level introduction to recent scholarship in American history, from the colonial period to the decades following World War II. We will meet for weekly discussions, that will include issues of historical interpretation, themes, sources, argumentation and methods of research and exposition. The selected books will include both "classics" and recent, more revisionist works of interpretation.

It is expected that everyone will read all of the assigned works with care and critical attention, and come to class ready to engage in meaningful discussion every week. In addition, you will be asked to write a short 5-8 page paper on SEVEN of the core monographs. The paper is due on the day that we discuss a given book (the second class meeting if the book is spread over two class periods). You may select which seven books you want to write about, except for the first book (Winthrop Jordan, The White Man's Burden). And each student will lead one class discussion. In some cases, it might be necessary to have two students "double up" as a team so that everyone gets an opportunity to lead a class discussion.

Grades for the course will be based 50% on your writing, 10% on your presentation, and 40% on the quality of your contributions to class discussion. In order to participate well, you will need to formulate an opinion or conclusion or hypothesis or point of view, and then present evidence from the readings that supports your contention. For example, if you contend that the author says or means x, then be able to identify where in the text (including specific passage and page number) the author says this. However, in order to do this, one must take notes while one reads, or prepare for the discussion IN ADVANCE. Otherwise, if the evidence is not drawn from specific passages of text, we are arguing from vague generalities.*

1. Reading and interpreting important works in American history
2. Developing and strengthening the skills needed to assess historical arguments and methods
3. Learning to write analytical essays, and learning the difference between description and analysis
4. Becoming familiar with vital issues and themes in American history, including race, ethnicity, class, gender, demography, region, immigration, stratification, technology,
5. Inquiring about sources and methods, and their uses, in the study and writing of history
6. Exposure to different types of history, including economic, political, social, cultural, narrative, medical, urban, and oral history

The assigned readings are extensive. Generally, we will read about one book per week. You will not be able to keep up unless you can dedicate a sufficient amount of time to reading and taking notes as you read, and to completing assignments in advance. In other words, you will need to "manage your time" carefully. You want to come to class prepared for discussion, with an opinion or hypothesis and evidence to support your position, to participate in a civil conversation. This course is taught from the perspective that there are multiple points of view competing in the marketplace of ideas, and there is not necessarily any guarantee of who is right or who is wrong, and the reader is the jury. We can disagree with one another, but we should do so in a civil manner.

M, Sept. 9 First class, Introduction

Read Winthrop Jordan, The White Man's Burden

M, Sept. 16 Prof. Glasker will lead the discussion, to provide a prototype that others

Next book: Jill Lepore, The Name of War: King Philip's War

M, Sept. 30 Discussion of Jill Lepore

Next book: Judith Leavitt, Typhoid Mary

M, Oct. 7 Discussion of Judith Leavitt

Next book: Noel Ignatiev, How the Irish Became White

Also recommended, David Roediger, The Wages of Whiteness

M, Oct. 14 Discussion of Noel Ignatiev

Also recommended: C. Vann Woodward, Origins of the New South

M, Oct. 21 Discussion of Jacquelyn Dowd Hall

Next book: John Higham, Strangers in the Land

M, Oct. 28 Discussion of John Higham

Next book: William Tuttle, Race Riot: Chicago in the Red Summer of 1919
 
 
 
 

M, Nov. 4 Discussion of William Tuttle

Next book: Richard Reeves, President Kennedy: Profile of Power

This book will be spread over two class periods

M, Nov. 11 class will meet, no paper due, no student discussion leader

M, Nov. 18 Discussion of Richard Reeves

Next book, Robert Dallek, Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson

This book will be spread over three classes

M, Nov. 25 class will meet, but no paper due, no student discussion leader
 
 
 
 

M, Dec. 2 class will meet, but no paper due, no student discussion leader; finish the book if