HIST 2401: History of the US to 1865
Late Summer 2023 Term
Instructor: Dr. Hal Goldman
In this half-credit course we will study the history of the United States from colonial settlement up through the Civil War. During this period many people came to America because they sought greater economic opportunity for themselves and their children. Others were inspired to make the move because of a belief in radical political and religious ideas. Some were dragged to America in chains. Aboriginal people were already present when the first Europeans arrived. We will seek to understand American history and the American experience from the point of view of all of these people as they tried to make sense of the world around them while dealing with the myriad of conflicts, challenges, and opportunities life in America presented.
This asynchronous on-line course will consist of weekly lectures, reading assignments in a textbook, and additional outside texts including primary sources. Lectures and assignments will be posted on Monday and Thursday morning each week with students free to view lectures and submit assigned work anytime up to the deadline on the following Sunday evening. In addition, students will write one short essay on a designated text and have a take-home assignment which measures the quality of their study and reading of the material in this course. There is no exam.