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The Era of Reconstruction, 1865-1877

Analytical Thinking
Communication
Critical Thinking

Course Description

The process of reunion, especially in the American South, with emphasis upon the experience of African Americans.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Research paper.


Athena Title

Reconstruction Era


Prerequisite

Any HIST course or ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1101E or ENGL 1101S or ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102E or ENGL 1102S or POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S


Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student learning Outcomes

  • By the end of this course, students will be able to arrive at conclusions about the historical era of Reconstruction by gathering and weighing evidence, logical argument, and listening to counter argument.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to write stylistically appropriate papers and essays. Students will be able to analyze ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, and revise and edit their finished essays.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to identify how the history of Reconstruction shaped diverse social and cultural attitudes toward race and slavery, labor and class, and freedom and rights, encouraging them to understand diverse worldviews and experiences.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to apply appropriate methodological approaches to their analysis of primary sources and to organize their evidence to show historical continuities and discontinuities.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to generate their own research question or topic, locate suitable primary and secondary sources, and synthesize their ideas in novel ways.
  • By the end of this course, students will be able to initiate, manage, complete, and evaluate their independent research projects in stages and to give and receive constructive feedback through the peer review process.

Topical Outline

  • The World the War Made
  • Rehearsals for Reconstruction
  • The Meaning of Freedom
  • Ambiguities of Free Labor
  • The Failure of Presidential Reconstruction
  • The Making of Radical Reconstruction
  • Blueprints for a Republican South
  • Reconstruction: Political and Economic
  • The Challenge of Enforcement
  • The Reconstruction of the North
  • The Politics of Depression
  • Redemption and After

Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes

Analytical Thinking

The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.


Communication

The ability to effectively develop, express, and exchange ideas in written, oral, interpersonal, or visual form.


Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.



Syllabus


Public CV