HIST 360
COLONIAL AMERICA

1. Catalog Entry

History 360. Colonial America (A)
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisite: 3 hours of History at 100-level

Study of transatlantic expansion of Europe, establishment of English colonies in the New World and their growth and development to 1750.

2. Detailed description of Content of Course

The topics included are intended to give students a broad background of understanding concerning the foundations of American society. Political, economic, social, religious and other topics provide a variety of looks at all aspects of colonial life and society based on the latest interpretation of the historical community.

Topics for the course include the following:

1. The Background for Exploration and Colonization: Europe and England
2. The Native American
3. The Settlement of Virginia and Maryland
4. The Settlement of New England
5. The Settlement of the Middle Colonies
6. Colonial Relations With England in the Seventeenth Century
7. The Colonies in Transition
8. Colonial labor institutions: Indentured Servitude and Slavery
9. Colonial Politics
10. The Frontier and Immigration
11. The Colonial Economy
12. Colonial Society
13. Women in Colonial America
14 . Colonial Religion
15. Colonial Culture
16. The Enlightenment in America
17. The Colonial Wars
18. From Englishman to American

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course combines a variety of strategies to investigate the early history of America. Lectures provide a synthesis of recent historical studies of the period. Class discussion centers on a review of the latest interpretative writing by historians. The term paper required student analysis, organization and interpretive development. The readings provide both essential background information and require substantial analysis and evaluation. Book reviews and article summaries also demand the use of critical thinking skills, organizational structuring, summarizing abilities and writing development.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

1). Students should have acquired a broad background of knowledge concerning the foundation and early institutions of Americans.
2). Students should have acquired research, organizational, and critical thinking skills.
3). Students should have acquired an understanding of the interpretive debates present in the field.
4). Students should have acquired writing and oral communication skills.
5). Students should have acquired use of primary source material.

5. EAssessment Measures

Graded assignments generally include midterm and final exams, a research paper, book review(s) and a class participation grade.

6. Other Course Information

None.

7. Review and Approval

Date Action Reviewed by
January 2005 Reviewed and Approved by Charles McClellan