Reconstruction

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Reconstruction


Unidentified African American soldier in Union uniform with wife and two daughters, Library of Congress

First, familiarize yourself with the "Reconstruction Amendments"- amendments 13, 14, and 15. Look here for more detailed information about the introduction and ratification of the amendments. Finally, read Eric Foner's short essay on the controversies relating to the amendments.

Some historians consider the period of Reconstruction a failure for not providing equal rights to all citizens. In fact, Foner's landmark book on the subject is called Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution. Considering the documents you just read and the material discussed in class, do you think that the Reconstruction period brought about significant change to both the former Confederate States as well as the nation as a whole? Why or why not? Be sure to provide specific examples to support your position.

ETA: I understand that there is a problem with the link to the Foner essay above. The essay is accessible through Google, but not by link, so please search "eric foner reconstruction essay gilder lehrman." The first result should be the above essay, at www.gilderlehrman.org, titled "The Reconstruction Amendments: Official Documents as Social History."

Course Objectives

This is a broad survey course designed to introduce students to basic themes and events in American History, as well as college-level research and study skills. As this is a writing intensive course, students will develop critical writing skills through online discussion, essay writing and document analysis. We will cover material beginning with the Civil War and Reconstruction and extending through the Presidential election of 2000.

By the end of this course students will have experience evaluating historical materials, constructing and supporting an argument, and performing basic research. Students will also work collaboratively in-class and online to discuss material, analyze primary documents and develop note-taking and study skills.

Accessibility

Hunter College complies with the standards set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to include all policies, procedures, and practices that impact the treatment of students with disabilities. The Office of AccessABILITY helps to ensure a comprehensively accessible college experience for all students with disabilities and helps to promote access and awareness as a resource to all members of the Hunter College community.

“In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY located in Room E1124 to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance please call (212-772-4857)/TTY (212-650-3230).” You can also locate them at:

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/studentservices/access/welcome

Course Learning Outcomes

During this course, students will:

• identify and apply the key historical concepts of change-over-time, cause-and-effect, agency, historical empathy, and continuity and discontinuity, and recognize how these concepts are employed in the historical method

• analyze and interpret primary sources with attention to audience, authorship and context

• recognize some of the ways in which historians have conflicting interpretations of the past

• produce a paper with a clear thesis and appropriate citations based on strong evidence drawn from historical sources

• identify and discuss the importance of contact and conquest, colonial foundations, revolution and Constitution, immigration, geographic expansion, experiences of native peoples, role of women, slavery and African American experiences and the sectional crisis leading to the Civil War