HISTORY 412/512: Revolutionary America
Spring 1997

Dr. Jim Williams
Middle Tennessee State University
Copyright 1997

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the Revolutionary era of American history, from approximately 1754 to 1809. Topics include the Seven Years' War, imperial conflict and colonial rebellion, the War of Independence, the foundations of American government, and the political strife between Federalists and Republicans. The main historical issues of this period, as well as some historians' recent interpretations of those issues, will be addressed. By the end of the course, students should be able to formulate their own interpretation of the vexing question of how radical or revolutionary was the American Revolution?
Seconarily, this course is intended to teach the craft of history and to allow students to improve their analytical and writing skills. Interpreting and synthesizing primary and secondary works are essential elements of the course.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students are expected to read the assigned texts and to attend class prepared to participate in discussions. Grades will be assigned according to the typical scale (A 900-1000, B 800-899, C 700-799, D 600-699) based on the accumulation of points in the following categories:

participation in class discussions	200 points
reading response essays (4 @ 75 pts. each)	300 points
writing exercises (10 @ 10 pts. each)	100 points
midterm exam	150 points
comprehensive final exam	250 points

NOTE: There is an automatic failure policy for this course. It takes effect whenever a student has not earned points in all of the five categories above or if a student fails to complete any work worth fifty points or more. Attendance is recorded daily and contributes to the calculation of the class participation score. Failure to attend class more than three times for any reason will begin to harm the student's participation grade. No distinction is made between excused and unexcused absences, except in cases of prolonged, verified illnesses.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY AND ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor of problems, to notify the instructor of circumstances that may interfere with the student's completion of work, or otherwise to seek assistance in order to finish the course successfully. Problems should be addressed promptly.
Academic dishonesty of any sort will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonest actions include plagiarism, cheating, sabotaging another student's work, and submitting work other than your own. It is the student's responsibility to understand what constitutes a dishonest act and to ask the instructor for advice when the student is not certain whether an act is appropriate. Plagiarism is the borrowing of another's words and ideas without proper acknowledgment. Any form of academic dishonesty in this course, whether intentional or not, will result in the offender's failure in the course.

REQUIRED TEXTS

• Richard D. Brown, ed., Major Problems in the Era of the American Revolution, 1760-1791
• Charles Royster, A Revolutionary People at War
• Mary Beth Norton, Liberty's Daughters
• Forrest McDonald, Novus Ordo Seclorum
• Gordon S. Wood, The Radicalism of the American Revolution
• Forrest McDonald, The Presidency of Thomas Jefferson
• Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History

WRITING EXERCISES

Ten short writing exercises will be distributed throughout the semester. These exercises deal with common problems that most students have with writing; some exercises address technical aspects of historical writing as explained in Rampolla's Pocket Guide.

ESSAYS

Learning to write history is a step toward becoming a good historian. The major writing assignments for this course are the four reading response essays that will be no more than five pages each. Questions will be assigned during the course as we finish reading Royster, Norton, McDonald, and Wood. Late essays will only be accepted in extraordinary circumstances and if permission is granted on or before the due date. This is not the same as an unpenalized extension. Permissions for late essays will not extend beyond one calendar week; essays more than one calendar week late will not be accepted, and a zero will be entered for that assignment.

EXAMS

The midterm and final examinations consist entirely of essay questions of varying length. You will usually have a choice of questions to answer. The final examination is partly comprehensive. Make-up examinations will not be given unless the student notifies the instructor before the examination of an emergency situation or serious illness.

WRITING CENTER

Students are encouraged to use the University Writing Center to improve their written work in this course. The center is located in Peck Hall 326 and may be reached by phone at 904-8237 and by E-mail at uwcenter@frank.mtsu.edu. Appointments are preferred but not mandatory. The staff of faculty and graduate assistants will work with students at any stage of the writing process on issues such as organization, unity, coherence, opening and closing paragraphs, diction, and grammar, but they will not proofread or edit student writing.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation, or you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please speak with Dr. Williams as soon as possible. Students may also contact the Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Wed., Jan. 8: Introduction

Fri., Jan. 10: Interpreting Revolutionary America