Dr. Angela Boswell                                                                                                            

Fall 2009

HIS 3033

History of Colonial America

A history of colonization in North America and the social, cultural, and political history of the English colonies. 

Required texts:  

Peter Charles Hoffer, Brave New World: History of Early America, 2^nd edition

Edmund S. Morgan, The Puritan Dilemma: The Story of John Winthrop

Kathleen S. Brown, Good Wives, Nasty Wenches, and Anxious Patriarchs: Gender, Race, and Power in Colonial Virginia

The grade for each student will be determined as follows:

25%     Midterm

30%     Final

5%       Class participation and in-class writing

20%     Preliminary Paper Assignments

20%     Research Paper

COURSE STRUCTURE and CLASS PARTICIPATION

This course will consist of lectures and discussion.  Because both lecture and readings are integral to student understanding of the material in this course, class attendance is necessary and participation in discussions is required.  Students may be dropped for excessive absences (more than four).  Attendance on September 16 and November 6 is MANDATORY.

In order to facilitate the most productive discussions, each student must read all reading assignments by the day assigned on the syllabus (see schedule at end).  Students should also prepare to participate in discussions by 1) thinking about the readings overall 2) jotting down any questions about the reading and 3) writing down observations that the student would like to make in the course of class discussion.  Written observations and questions will not normally be turned in for a grade, but I reserve the right to collect these observations periodically and count them as part of a student's participation grade.

During discussions, we will conduct the class as much as possible like a seminar and student participation is required.   An exception to the rule of participation will apply if any one or a small number of students begins, for whatever reason, to monopolize student response.  Independent thinking is highly encouraged as long as it is informed thinking--that is, thinking informed by credible sources (your readings, for instance)--and especially as long as diplomacy, respect, and tact govern its sharing and expression. 

TESTS

There will be two essay tests: a midterm and the final exam.  The mid-term will test all material in the first half of the course.  The final exam will test the material from the entire semester. 

RESEARCH PAPER and PRELIMINARY WORK

Students will work on a research paper throughout the course of the semester.  The final version of the paper is worth 20% of each student's final grade.  Another 20% of each student's grade will be based on the preliminary assignments described below.  All assignment due dates are listed on the schedule of assignments and readings at the end of the syllabus.  Ten points will be deducted from the grade of any assignment for every 24 hours it is turned in late, EXCEPT no late work will be accepted for the “second draft/ paper exchange” -- failure to come to class with a completed second draft of the paper will result in a zero for the assignment.

Paper Workshop:  Class will be a workshop on how to research and write a history research paper.  ATTENDANCE this day is MANDATORY.  Although we will be discussing our papers the entire semester, this workshop will explain not only what is expected from a history paper, but also what my particular expectations are. 

Topic: You will choose a preliminary topic for a research paper and will turn in the initial ideas (handwritten acceptable).  Students may choose any topic having to do with Colonial America, although we should try to limit the number of students working on any one topic due to the limited resources.

Short Paper: You will turn in one short (two-page typed) paper on the same subject as the large research paper.  This paper must use at least two sources, have a clear thesis supported by evidence, and be correctly documented.  Other requirements for this short paper will be discussed in class.

Bibliography/Note Forms: You will have chosen and have begun reading and taking notes on the sources that you will use for your final paper.  On this date you will turn in two documents using these sources.  The first document will be a bibliography (or works cited) page in Chicago/Turabian style.  The second document will be a list of entries (both first and subsequent) in Chicago/Turabian style note form. 

SECOND DRAFT/Paper exchange:  By this date, you will have written a draft of your paper and have already taken the time to proofread and correct the draft.  Therefore, by this date you will be bringing a second draft of your major research paper to class.  ATTENDANCE on this date is MANDATORY.  Students will exchange papers on this date and offer written and oral suggestions and constructive criticism for revising the papers.  Failure to arrive at class on time with a completed draft of the paper will result in a zero for this assignment.

THIRD DRAFT:  You will turn in a finished and polished draft of your research paper.  It should be 10-12 pages (excluding bibliography) typed in a normal size font with 1-inch margins.  The paper will be graded on content, style, grammar, and correct documentation.

FINAL RESEARCH PAPER:  After receiving the graded third draft of your paper back, you will have your final opportunity to address any remaining problems.  Your final research paper must be 10-12 pages (excluding bibliography) typed in a normal size font with 1-inch margins.  The paper will be graded on content, style, grammar, and correct documentation.

DISABILITIES SERVICES

Any student eligible for and needing academic adjustments or accommodations because of a documented disability should contact me or Vickie Faust at the Disability Resource Center (Foster Hall 112; 230-5475; faustv@hsu.edu).

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Academic dishonesty, including cheating on exams, plagiarism, or having others complete assignments, will not be tolerated.   For a violation of codes of academic honesty, a student may receive an “F” for the course and/or be referred to the dean for disciplinary action.  If you have ANY doubt about what constitutes plagiarism, please visit with me or with the writing center. 

READINGS and ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES

Below is a schedule of readings and due dates of other assignments.  The short one-word titles refer (fairly clearly) to the texts required for the course listed at the top of this syllabus.

Angela Boswell Home Page            Department of Social Sciences            Henderson State University

HSU  Disclaimer: "The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by Henderson State University."

Contact Angela Boswell with any problems or suggestions for this website.