Course Description
We have for generations conflated the British colonies with all of early America. This course instead explores the entire continent, from Sitka to St. Augustine, and all the people living there, including native peoples, Russians, Spanish, French, and British. Students will emerge with a clearer sense of the continuities and discontinuities in early American history and with a broad synthetic and comparative framework.
Athena Title
EARLY AM CONTINENT
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
By adopting a continental perspective, the course will introduce students to an important and innovative approach to early American history. Students will emerge with a clearer sense of the continuities and discontinuities in early American history and with a broad synthetic and comparative framework.
Topical Outline
1. What is the subject matter of early American history? 2. Demography 3. Early exploration and navigation 4. The Pre and Post-contact divide 5. Encounters/interpretations 6. A comparative framework A. Spanish colonies B. French colonies C. British colonies D. Russian colonies 7. Exploring the Pacific 8. The Age of Revolution