10/08/07       Revolutionary America Undergraduate Section

Seton Hall University.

Dr. Maxine N. Lurie
History Department

Revolutionary America

History 3342. Section AA
Fall 2007
Course meets: MW 4-5:15 pm.   Room FH 236

Course description: The course covers the origins, pattern and consequences of the American Revolution from 1763 to 1790. It includes a discussion of the major documents of the period, such as the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution.

Course Rationale:  This course is designed for upper level history majors. It covers the period from 1763 to 1790,
ensuring that they have a deeper understanding of this foundation period in American history, as well as some of the major issues of interpretation. Students learn about the major events, actors, and documents of the time, as well as some of the literature and art produced during the period.

Texts. Required:
    Woody Holton, Forced Founders
    Robert Gross, Minutemen
    Pauline Maier, American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence
    Barbara Mitnick ed., American Revolution in New Jersey
    Terry Golway, Washington’s General: Nathaniel Greene
    Cynthia Kierner ed., The Contrast 

Optional:
    Robert Middlekauf, The Glorious Cause  (survey text)
   
    You are also required to read a number of documents, which will either be handed out in class or you can find them at the web addresses noted.

Course Objectives:  After completing this course students will be able to:
1. describe the history of the period of the American Revolution and how the United States changed during this time period.
2. analyze important documents from the period, and the work of historians who have written about it.
3. critically evaluate books, articles, websites, and films.
4. write brief papers using historical methods of citation.
5. discuss important figures and events in the period from 1763 to 1790.
6. review historic sites, their importance and value in learning history.

Section I. Introduction. Sept. 5.
    Middlekauff, Glorious Cause, chapters 1, 2.

Section II. Background of the Revolution. Sept. 10, 12, 17.
    Middlekauff, Glorious Cause, chapters 3, 4.
    Woody Holton, Forced Founders
    Chart British Administration

Section III. Events Leading to Independence. Sept. 19, 24, 26.
    Middlekauff, Glorious Cause, chapters 5-12.
    Robert Gross, Minutemen
    Stamp Act Congress: Resolutions
     Optional documents: Patrick Henry,  "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death  (1775)
                    Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776) Search on site for text.
     Optional websites: Redhill Patrick Henry's Home
                     Gaspee Virtual Archives (do a Google search)

Paper #1. Compare Holton and Gross, Virginia and Massachusetts. Oct. 1.

Section IV. Declaring Independence. Oct. 1, 3, 8.
    Middlekauff, Glorious Cause, chapters 13-14.
    Pauline Maier, American Scripture

    Barbara Mitnick ed., American Revolution in New Jersey. Chapter by Lurie.
    Declaration of Independence  If the direct link does not work (1) ignore error message; (2) click on National Archives Experience, then on Charters of Freedom, and then on Declaration.
    Optional websites: Independence National Historic Park
                    Minuteman National Park
                    Signers of Declaration. What Price Did they Pay?

Movie. Brief selections from "1776", "Ben and Me," "Declaration"  Oct. 8.

 Brief Assignment #1.  Just what was Jefferson’s role in writing the Declaration of Independence?  Due Oct. 10.

Section V. Patriots and Loyalists. Oct. 10, 15.
      Optional website: United Empire Loyalists

Movie. Brief selection from "Benedict Arnold." Oct. 15.

Midterm Exam  Oct. 17.  Bring blue books.  Study Guide 

Section VI. The War.  Oct. 22, 24.
    Middlekauff, Glorious Cause, chapters 15-21.
    Terry Golway, Washington’s General: Nathaniel Greene 

    Barbara Mitnick ed., American Revolution in New Jersey. Chapters by Lender, Hunter & Burrow.
    Pictures from Saratoga
    Optional websites: Old Barracks Museum Trenton
                    Monmouth County Historical Association
                    Saratoga National Historic Park
                    Morristown National Historic Park
                    Valley Forge National Historic Park
                    Yorktown
                    West Point
                    Liberty  PBS site

Movies. Selections from "The Patriot," and "Redcoats." Oct. 24.

Brief Assignment #2.  On Nathaniel Greene. Oct. 29.

Section VII. The Peace Settlement. Oct. 29, 31.
    Middlekauff, Glorious Cause, chapter 22.
    Optional document: Treaty of Paris

Section VIII. Results of the Revolution. Nov. 5, 7, 12.
    Barbara Mitnick ed., American Revolution in New Jersey Chapters by Williams, Wright, Dodyk, Fowler.
    Optional documents: Abigail Adams letter of 1776
                     Banneker, Benjamin - Library of Congress 1791 letter to Thomas Jefferson
                    J. Franklin Jameson, The American Revolution Considered as a Social Movement.

Paper #2. Results of the Revolution for women, blacks, Indians. Nov. 14

Section IX. Confederation Period. Nov. 14, 19.
    Articles of Confederation

Section X. Constitution. Nov. 26, 28.
    Middlekauff, Glorious Cause, chapters 23-26.
    Constitution
    Charts : Comparison New Jersey & Virginia Plans; Articles and Constitution

Section XI. The Founding Fathers.  Dec. 3.
    Charles Beard, Economic Interpretation of the Constitution.  Conclusions
    Optional website: Biographies of the Founding Fathers

Section XII. American Revolution and American Culture. Dec. 5, 10.
   Cynthia Kierner ed., The Contrast  Play by Royall Tyler.

    Barbara Mitnick ed., American Revolution in New Jersey. Chapters by Mitnick, Hawkins, Skaggs.
    Optional websites: Mount Vernon
                    Monticello

Brief Assignment #3.  Report on Historic Site Visit. Dec. 5

NOTE Dec. 5th is also last day to hand in any extra credit papers..

Final Exam. Dec. 14. 2:25-4:25.  Bring Blue books. Study Guide for Final

 

Course Requirements/Assessment
    You are required to write three brief assignments and two papers.  A trip to a Revolutionary War historic site is also required.

Papers:
See Directions for Writing Papers  and also History Department Academic Policy Statement  before you start writing any paper for this course. Print required cover sheet, go through the check list, and sign  it before you turn in your papers. Also note University policies that (a) all written work must be submitted by the last day of classes; and (b) substantial work in a course must be submitted for an incomplete to be considered -- policies that are enforced in this class.

See University Policy on Disabilities Support Services.

Brief Assignment #1. Write a paper discussing Jefferson’s role in writing the Declaration. Use the films shown in class, and Maier's book in your paper. (Meets course objectives #2, 3, 4, 5]  2-3 pages

Brief Assignment #2. Write a paper discussing Nathaniel Greene’s role in winning the American Revolution. Why did he succeed in the south when others failed? Use Golway’s book in your paper. [Meets course objectives #3, 4, 5]  2-3 pages

Brief Assignment #3. Write a report on the historic site you visited.  Was the trip worthwhile? [Meets course objectives #6]  1-2 pages

Brief assignments are to be 1-3 pages (see above); they are not accepted late. If not turned in they are calculated in your average as zero.

Paper #1. Write a 3-5 page paper comparing the reasons for the Revolution given by Holton and Gross in their books. Why do you think, based on those books, Virginia and Massachusetts joined the revolution? How were they different? [Meets course objectives #1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Paper #2. Write a 3-5 page paper discussing whether and how the American Revolution changed the lives of women, blacks, and Indians. Use the assigned chapters in the Mitnick book to support your arguments. [Meets course objectives #1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Late papers will be penalized -- ½ grade after first day and another ½ grade thereafter for every week it is late.

Exams
    There will be a midterm and a final exam. The midterm will consist of 10 IDs and two essays; the final exam of 10 IDs and three essays.

Trip
    A trip to a Revolutionary War site is required. An effort will be made to schedule a class trip.  Possibilities are Old Barracks in Trenton, Morristown National Historic Park, Princeton Battlefield, Monmouth Battlefield,  Washington's Crossing State Park, Fort Lee, and Red Bank - Gloucester County.

Determination of Grades
    Paper #1 12.5%; paper #2 12.5% (total 25%). Midterm 25%; final exam 25%; the brief assignments 25%. Class participation is expected. Missed papers are averaged in as a zero.  The penalty for plagiarism is a zero in the first instance, an F for the course in the second instance. Plagiarized papers are deposited in the History Department office, and cases reported to the Dean.

Extra Credit. See Policy on Extra Credit for general rules. You can get extra credit in this course by going to conferences, trips or other activities mentioned in class, and by writing reports on the websites and readings marked optional on the syllabus. Only four extra credit reports are allowed.
    *Extra credit will also be given to a class group willing to enact a scene from The Contrast. Copies of the scene and props will be supplied.
     For writing an evaluation of  the New Jersey History Partnership website.

Attendance
    Attendance will be taken and is required. Only three absences are permitted. After three you will automatically lose FROM YOUR FINAL GRADE ½ a grade for the fourth absence and then another ½ a grade for every subsequent three absences.

Office Hours
Office FH 340; 275 2772.
e-mail luriemax@shu.edu
Office Hours: MWF 10-12; and by appointment.

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