HIS 531 America in Revolution
William H. Mulligan, Jr.

Spring 2003

Office: Faculty Hall 6B8 
Phone 6571, to leave a message 2231. 
e-mail: Bill.Mulligan@murraystate.edu 
Office Hours: T TH 8-9:30; 10:30-Noon; 2:00-4:00
Course Meets: 12:30- 1:45 Faculty Hall 506
Catalog Description

Spanning the revolutionary and early national periods of American history, this
course focuses upon the United States' transformation from colonies to a nation.
It emphasizes the American struggle for independence, economic as well as 
political, and the clash of values, interests and ambitions that produced the 
American system of government.
Instructor Comments 

The course will examine the era of the American Revolution beginning with the
debate between England and her colonies after the French and Indian War (1763)
and continuing through the end of the War of 1812. Particular attention will 
be given to the imperial debate leading up to War, the War as a transforming 
experience for Americans, and the debates coincident with establishing the new 
nation. A basic premise of the course is that the American Revolution was a 
pivotal event, not only in American history, but in world history. 

Lectures will present my own ideas and interpretations of the American 
Revolution and the establishment of a national government for the new 
nation that was compatible with the ideals of the Revolution. In general,
I am more concerned with social and economic factors in history than in 
intellectual history. For an brief statement of how I see the Revolution,
see my Northborough during the American Revolution (1974). The lectures are 
not intended to offer a full, detailed, chronological treatment of the 
period - the Middlekauff book is for that -- or to offer an extended gloss 
on the course readings. I will assume all students have a basic understanding 
of the period from HIS 221 or other survey course and have done, and understood,
the readings. I see the purpose of the lectures as moving beyond the readings 
to a sustained analysis of the period. If anything in the readings or a lecture
is ever unclear, please ask either at the start of class, during a lecture, or 
during office hours. 

This will primarily be a lecture course with four scheduled small group 
discussions. Discussion questions will be distributed in advance of each 
discussion. Both responses to the questions and participation will be graded. 
Lectures will generally be informal, although there will be several formal 
lectures during the semester. Questions are stronglyencouraged during the 
informal lectures and at the conclusion of the formal lectures. 
Video and other multimedia materials will be used as appropriate. 
Guests are welcome as long as seats are available. 

Students are encouraged to consult with the instructor during office hours
about their papers, any other matters related to the course, careers in 
history, or their education here at Murray State.

Course Texts

Robert Middlekauf, The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789. 
Nancy L. Rhoden and Ian K. Steele, eds., The Human Tradition in the American Revolution.
Noble E. Cunningham, Jr., Jefferson vs. Hamilton: Cnfrontations that Shaped A Nation.
Mary Lynn Rampolla, A Pocket Guide to Writing in History, 3rd edition.


Schedule

JAN 14 Introduction to the Course
    16 The Lion Triumphant: England and the World in 1763
       Fort Necessity National Battlefield: http://www.nps.gov/fone/
       Maine Acadian Culture: http://www.nps.gov/maac/ 
    21 Redefining the Imperial Relationship
       Federal Hall National Monument: http://www.nps.gov/feha/
    23 Video: The Reluctant Revolutionaries
    28 Taxation without Representation is Tyranny!
       Boston National Historical Park: http://www.nps.gov/bost/
    30 Case Study, "Thomas Hutchinson and the Boston Tea Party"
                   http://www.masshist.org/bh/

       Paper Topics and Bibliographies Due
FEB  4 The Shot Heard Round the World
       Minuteman National Historical Park: http://www.nps.gov/mima/ 
     6 Video: Blows Must Decide 
    11 Discussion I
       Readings:
       Middlekauff, chpts. 1-11.
       Rhoden, #1-4        
    13 "When in the course of human events …" The Declaration of Independence
       Independence National Historical Park: http://www.nps.gov/inde/  
    18 Saratoga and the French Alliance
       Saratoga National Historical Park: http://www.nps.gov/sara/
       Fort Stanwix National Monument: http://www.nps.gov/fost/
       http://home.nycap.rr.com/history/saratoga.html
    20 "These are the Times that Try Men's Souls" Washington at Valley Forge
       Valley Forge National Historical Park: http://www.nps.gov/vafo/
       Morristown National Historical Park: http://www.nps.gov/morr/
       Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial:http://www.nps.gov/thko/
    25 "If at first you don't succeed…" British Military Strategy From 
         Saratoga to Yorktown
       Cowpens National Battlefield: http://www.nps.gov/cowp/
       Kings Mountain National Military Park: http://www.nps.gov/kimo/
       Ninety Six National Historic Site: http://www.nps.gov/nisi/
    27 The World Turned Upside Down: Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris
MAR  4 Video:The World Turned Upside Down
     6 The Impact of the Revolution on America and Americans
    11 Discussion II
       Readings:
       Middlekauff, chpts. 12-22
       Rhoden, #5-17
    13 Mid Term Exam
   18- SPRING BREAK -
   20- SPRING BREAK-
    25 Pluribus or Unum? Beginning the New American Nation
    27 Miracle at Philadelphia?: Framing the Constitution
APR  1 The Ratification Debate: Defining America's Future
        http://www.constitution.org/elliot.htm 
     3 General Washington as Mr. President
       Washington Birthplace National Monument: http://www.nps.gov/gewa/    
     8 Alexander Hamilton and the Creation of Modern America
    10 Video: Are We to be a Nation?
   Term Papers Due
    15 Discussion III
       Readings:
       Middelkauf, chpts. 23-26 and Epilogue
       Cunningham, Chpts. 1-5
    17 John Adams: Balancing Liberty and Order
       Adams National Historic Site: http://www.nps.gov/adam/
    19 The Revolution of 1800: Jefferson as President
       Thomas Jefferosn Memorial: http://www.nps.gov/thje/        
    24 The Louisiana Purchase and the West in the American Mind
       Jefferson National Expansion Memorial: http://www.nps.gov/jeff/
       Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail: http://www.nps.gov/lecl/    
    26 1812: The Second War for American Independence
       Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial: http://www.nps.gov/pevi/
    29 Discussion IV
       Readings:
       Cunningham, chpt. 7 and Epilogue.   
May 6  FINAL EXAM 12:30 p.m.
Written Assignment

Those Taking the Course for Undergraduate Credit 

Each undergraduate student will prepare a fifteen page paper on a topic in 
American history between 1763 and 1815. The paper should use primary sources 
to a substantial degree; at least one source must be drawn from World Wide Web. 
Papers should be prepared nd documented in accordance with Mary Lynn Rampolla, 
A Pocket Guide to Writing History, 3rd ed. Papers should be typed, double spaced,
and onstandard 8 ½ by 11 inch paper secured by a single staple in the upper
left hand corner. Papers not prepared in the proper format wil not be accepted.

Paper topics must be approved in advance by the instructor. Topics and 
preliminary bibliographies are due February 4 Final drafts of papers are
due April 10. 

Preliminary drafts for review may be submitted no later than March 31. 
Preliminary review will be a general evaluation of the paper NOT a detailed 
critique. 

N.B.: Failure to submit a topic and preliminary bibliography will result in a 
penalty of 25 points, i.e. C is the highest possible grade on the paper. 
Failure to submit the final draft of the paper on or before the due date without PRIOR
permission will result in a penalty of 10 points per week and may result in a grade of I due 
to the time needed for grading at the end of the semester.
Those Taking the Course for Graduate Credit

1. Each graduate student will prepare a twenty page paper on a topic in 
American history between 1763 and 1815. The paper must be based to a significant
degree on primary sources; at least one source should be drawn from World Wide 
Web. Papers should be prepared and documented in accordance with Mary Lynn Rampolla, 
A Pocket Guide to Writing History, 3rd ed. Papers should be typed, double spaced,
and onstandard 8 ½ by 11 inch paper secured by a single staple in the upper
left hand corner. Papers not prepared in the proper format wil not be accepted.

Paper topics must be approved in advance by the instructor. Students are urged
to discuss their interests and potential topics with the instructor. Topics and 
preliminary bibliographies are due February 4. Final drafts of the papers are due
April 10. 

Preliminary drafts for review may be submitted no later than March 31. 
Preliminary review will be a general evaluation of the paper NOT a detailed
critique.

2. Each graduate student will prepare a 1500 word review comparing two books 
which deal with the same general topic, person, or time period in American 
history between 1763 and 1815. The review should compare the two works' approach,
use of sources, and thesis. 

Books to be reviewed must be approved in advance by the instructor. The titles
and full bibliographic citations are due February 1. Final drafts of the reviews
are due May 1. Preliminary drafts for comment may be submitted no later than 
April 5. These comments will be a general evaluation of the review NOT a detailed
critique.

N.B.: Failure to submit a topic and preliminary bibliography will result in a 
penalty of 25 points, i.e. C is the highest possible grade on the paper. 
Failure to submit the final draft of the paper on or before the due date without PRIOR
permission will result in a penalty of 10 points per week and may result in a grade of I due 
to the time needed for grading at the end of the semester.

WWW RESOURCES

A = 360 points or more
B = 320-359 points
C = 280-319 points
D = 240-279 points
E = 278 or fewer points.

Graduate course grades will be based on the following:

Mid-Term Exam 100 points
Final Exam 100 points
Term Paper 150 points
Book Review 50 points
Discussion 100 points

A = 450 points or more
B = 400-449 points
C = 350-399 points
E = 349 or fewer points.

Regular class attendance is expected of all students. Six unexcused abscences are allowed.
For every two additonal unexcused absences the final grade will be reduced by one letter
grade, (i.e. from A to B.)
Absences will be excused for the following reasons: participation in a university
-sanctioned activity or program; death in the family or other family emergency;
serious illness with a doctor's note; jury duty; military obligation; or weather
emergency making travel dangerous. University Attendance Policy will be followed.

Students are also expected to attend the entire class and remain awake. Arriving
late, leaving early, or dozing off will count as an unexcused absence, except in
highly unusual circumstances.

Students are responsible for all material presented in classes they miss or changes
in the course schedule that are announced in class whether their absence is excused
or unexcused.

Students who require special arrangements for exams or in-class presentations must
make such arrangements themselves at least one week prior to the exam or presentation.

Students with a valid excuse for missing an exam or in-class presentation are
responsible for informing the instructor as soon as possible, but no later than
the day following the exam or presentation.

It is assumed and expected that all students will present only their own work on exams
and the written assignment.  Students should consult the College of Humanities and Fine
Arts Policy on Academic Honesty, which will be followed.

Spring 2003