The American Revolution

& Early Republic

Historical Studies 4377
University of Texas at Dallas, Summer 2005
TR 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Dr. Francis Flavin

Office: Jonsson 5.408
Office Phone: 972.883.2005
Office Hours: Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. and by
arrangement

D ESCRIPTION : This course examines the history of America from the end the of French and
Indian War to the presidency of Andrew Jackson. The course will pay particular
attention to the ideological developments during the Revolution and the Founding Period
along with the early phases of American exploration and expansion.

O BJECTIVES : Through lecture, classroom discussion, slide shows, films, and course
readings, students will learn terminology and themes pertaining to the American
Revolution and Early Republic. Students will also write a short research paper to
develop research, writing, and oral presentation skills.

R EQUIREMENTS AND E VALUATION :

• The following books will be used in this course: The Radicalism of the American
Revolution, by Gordon Wood (1991); The Jeffersonian Persuasion, by Lance Banning
(1978); Women of the Republic, by Linda Kerber (1980); Capitalism and a New Social
Order, by Joyce Appleby, (1984); and James Rhonda’s Voyages of Discovery (1998).
Students should buy, borrow, or photocopy a Turabian style manual for research
paper formatting requirements.
• Grades are assigned on a 100-point scale based on 1-3 short quizzes (10% total), a
midterm exam (25%), a final exam (25%), class participation (15%), and a short
research paper and presentation (25%).
• Grades will be assigned on a 100-point scale with letter grade equivalents as
follows: A+: 99-97; A: 96-93; A- : 92-90. Likewise for Bs, Cs, and Ds. F: 59 and below.
An “A” translates as “excellent,” a “B” translates as “good,” a “C” translates as “average”
or “fair,” a “D” translates as “poor,” and an “F” translates as “failure.”
• Students are expected to attend class regularly and participate in class.
Students may miss up to three classes without explicit penalty. Except in the
most extenuating circumstances, students missing more than three classes
will be penalized for each additional class missed. If a student misses roll call, it
is the student’s responsibility to address the omission by the end of the first
segment of class on that day.
• Do not miss the exams for any reason other than a documented medical or family
emergency. For those who miss an exam because of a documented emergency
there will be one make-up exam administered shortly after the originally
scheduled exam; see the instructor as soon as possible for information on the
make-up.
A CADEMIC C ONDUCT : The college experience should cultivate honesty, integrity, civility,
critical thinking, and open discussion. Please make this class—and each of your classes—
an experience that develops your strength of character. Cheating, plagiarism,
disruptiveness, and uncivil behavior will not be tolerated. Those unsure of what
constitutes academic dishonesty or plagiarism should discuss their uncertainties with
the instructor. Students observing academic dishonesty should report it to the
instructor. See the student handbook for the university’s policy on academic conduct.
Students engaging in academic dishonesty will be referred to the dean’s office with the
instructor’s strongest recommendation that the student fail the class and be placed
on academic probation. Punctuality is imperative. Students must arrive to class on
time; students with extenuating circumstances should speak with the instructor
beforehand to make appropriate arrangements. Turn off all cell phones, pagers, and
other personal communication devices upon entering the classroom.

S YLLABUS : The course follows a sequence that is both topical and chronological. The
course schedule may change at the discretion of the instructor. Keep pace with the
readings; the middle portion of the class carries a heavy reading load, it is essential
that students keep up with the reading assignments. Students must finish reading the
assigned books by the first class of the week during which it is scheduled to be
completed unless otherwise stated. Students are responsible for all material
discussed in class and all assigned readings; students may be quizzed at any time.
Students are encouraged to meet with the instructor to clarify material as needed.

W EEK 1 (Week of May 29)

Topics: Introductions, the study of
history, survey of colonial
history, the French and Indian
War, Pontiac’s Rebellion.
Readings: Begin reading Wood’s The
Radicalism of the American
Revolution. This is the most
important book of the course;
because summer classes require
that much material be packed
into a short period of time, you
should begin reading it
immediately.
Assignment: purchase the required
books; receive research paper
guidelines.

W EEK 2 (Week of June 5)

Topics: The coming of the Revolution
and Declaration of Independence.
Readings: Continue reading Wood’s
Radicalism.

W EEK 3 (Week of June 12)

Topics: Revolution and Nation-
building
Reading: Finish reading Wood’s
Radicalism; begin reading
Banning’s The Jeffersonian
Persuasion and Appleby’s
Capitalism and a New Social Order.
Assignment: Possible quiz on
Radicalism.
W EEK 4 (Week of June 19)
Exam: in-class midterm exam on
Tuesday covering all material
through week 3.
Topics (post-exam): The
Jeffersonians; slavery in the
Early Republic; Jefferson and the
Indians; John Marshall and the
judiciary.
Reading: Finish reading Appleby and
Banning by Thursday. Begin
reading Kerber’s Women of the
Republic.
Assignment: Professor available
for consultation after the exam
on Tuesday—students are
encouraged to meet with him and
discuss the development of their
research papers. Possible quiz on
Appleby and Banning Thursday.
W EEK 5 (Week of June 26)
Topics: American exploration and
expansion; the frontier, the
West, and the shaping of the
American character.
Reading: Finish reading Kerber; read
Rhonda’s Voyages of Discovery:
introduction; Jefferson’s
instructions to Lewis; ‘A Most
Perfect Harmony;” Passage to
India; Plains Indian Reaction;
Exploring the Explorers; ‘Of this
Enterprize;’ Afterword.
Assignment: Possible quiz on
Kerber; possible quiz on Rhonda.

W EEK 6 (Week of July 3)

Topics: The West and the shaping of
the American character.
Assignment: Research paper drafts
due Tuesday. Bring four copies of
your research paper to class
Tuesday. Professor available for
consultation after the exam on
Thursday—students are
encouraged to meet with him and
discuss the final development of
their research papers.
Exam: in-class midterm exam on
Thursday.

W EEK 7 (Week of July 10)

Topics: Class presentations.
Students must attend both
classes of the week, even the
classes in which they are not
presenting.

W EEK 8 (Week of July 17)

Topics: Finish class presentations;
course wrap-up.