OVERVIEW. This course investigates the political, military, constitutional, diplomatic, and social aspects of the American Civil War and Reconstruction. The emphasis will be on the military and political facets of the war while also focusing on how the war resulted in the destruction of slavery. The goal is to provide students with an understanding of the major events and leaders of the war and its aftermath. The end of slavery will be examined with an eye toward the actions of the free African-Americans and slaves themselves in moving emancipation to the forefront of the debate about the war’s objectives. The history of Reconstruction will be considered during the last several class sessions.
The following books will probably be assigned:
The Grand Design: Strategy and the U. S. Civil War, by Donald Stoker
Embattled Freedom: Journeys through the Civil War’s Slave Refugee Camps, by Amy Murrell Taylor
The Civil War, Library of America (4 vol.) (excerpts from these volumes will be assigned).
Reconstruction: A Concise History, by Allen C. Guelzo
This is a lecture class. Questions are welcomed and there will be some discussion. Unless authorized by SSD, no laptop computers or similar devices may be used or open during class. The use--any use--of phones in class is not permitted.
There will be three exams. The first and second exams will each count 25% of the course grade. The third exam will count 30% of the course grade. These exams will consist of short-answer and essay questions on the material from the classes and readings (including the primary source readings that will come your way from the instructor). Enrollment in this course constitutes a commitment on your part to be present at all of these examinations. Exams will not be given ahead of schedule, nor will any make-ups be given, for any reason. Quizzes, attendance and very short homework assignments will count the remaining 20% of a student’s course grade.