Syllabus

HST 518: Colonial America

Prof. F. Thornton Miller
Office: 417, Public Affairs Classroom Building
Phone: 836-5917
Hours: MTWR 3:00-4:15  
Email: ftm922f@missouristate.edu

Course Objective: To study the development of the English empire in America in the context of the 17th and 18th-century Atlantic world focusing on several topics, such as economic, social, political, constitutional, cultural, and religious development; studying the relation of the English to the other European colonial empires; and comparing the regions of British America from Canada to the West Indies.

Course goals: making written and oral arguments using supporting information; thinking critically about different interpretations of historical developments; understanding gender, racial, ethnic, and class diversity in American society and culture; and understanding American political, constitutional, social, and economic development.

Required Reading:

Stanley N. Katz, John M. Murrin, and Douglas Greenberg, Colonial America: Essays in Politics and Social Development, 5th ed.

Documents on the Internet

Course Policies
Students are required to have their own email account.
Students using English as a second language should see me to discuss accommodations.
Makeup exams are allowed and are given toward the end of the term. A student who needs to take a makeup should see the instructor about setting up a time for the exam.
Work that is turned in late is accepted, but the grade will be lowered.
For the course grade, you must have at least a 90% average for an A, 80% for a B, 70% for a C, and 60% for a D.
Academic Dishonesty. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in the Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, which can be found at http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html (also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library).
Disability accommodation. To request accommodations for disability, students must contact Disability Services (http://www.missouristate.edu/disability), Plaster Student Union Suite 405, (417) 836-4192; TTY (417) 836-6792.  Students must provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations.
Nondiscrimination. Missouri State policy on nondiscrimination: http://www.missouristate.edu/eoaa.htm.
Class drop policy. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated.  To drop a class anytime after the first week, you must turn in a drop slip at an authorized registration center (see 2002/2003 Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog, pp. 51-52; http://www.missouristate.edu/recreg/chnsched.html).  You do not need to obtain any signatures on the drop slip.

Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments

Part 1: Founding the Colonies

A. International Context for English Colonization

B. Founding the English Colonies

C. Relation with the Indians

Richter, "Iroquois Experience," Essays

Merrell, "Catawba Experience," Essays 

D. West Indies, Lower South, and the Development of Slavery

Morgan, "Slavery and Freedom," Essays

E. Government and Glorious Revolution

Part II: The Colonial Americas

A. Upper South

Menard, "Servant to Freeholder," Essays

Carr and Walsh, "Planter's Wife," Essays

B. New England

Greven, "Family Structure," Essays  

Reis, "The Devil, the Body, and the Feminine Soul in Puritan New England," Essays

Dayton, "Taking the Trade," Essays

C. Lower South

Morgan, "Social Transactions between Whites and Blacks," Essays  

Thornton, "Stono Rebellion," Essays

D. Middle Colonies

Levy, "Tender Plants," Essays

E. West Indies, Canada, an Atlantic Empire

Breen, "Baubles of Britain," Essays

Part III: Eighteenth Century

A. Center Court and Country Periphery

B. Enlightenment and Education

C. Religion and the Great Awakening

Lambert, "Pedlar in Divinity," Essays

D. Mercantilism, Capitalism, Creditors and Debtors

E. Wars for Empire

Part IV: Causes for Revolution

Exams

There will be three exams (each the same weight in the course grade) that will consist of identification (1/3 of the exam) and essay questions (2/3 of the exam). The identification items will be given in advance. They will consist of terms to define, and major events, people, government acts, organizations, publications, treaties, and battles to identify--give a brief description of the item, tell who was involved, when and where it occurred, and state why it was significant. In preparing for the exams, you are responsible for all lecture notes. In the essay part, you will be graded on organization and clarity as well as accuracy of information. You should be comprehensive in discussing all significant points and giving examples to support your statements. Particular dates are not required, but you should show development through time and keep events in the correct chronological sequence. 
There will be a review before each exam.
Bring examination ("blue") books for the exams.    

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Undergraduate Syllabus

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