HIS 533SEM - Readg Early American Hist

This course introduces graduate students to the major themes and methodologies in colonial American history. The course serves as a foundation for students wishing to prepare an examination field in colonial America or for anyone who wants to gain a broad perspective on the most important developments in the field. The course is organized as a series of ¿updates¿: we examine five topics for two weeks each, and for each topic the first work is a classic and the second is a more recent contribution that builds on or departs from the classic text in important ways. The lengthy lists of recommended books are meant to aid students preparing exam lists and those who wish to study a particular topic in greater depth. Class sessions consist of analytical discussions of the week¿s readings; as a result careful reading of the texts is imperative. In addition, this course hones professional skills: how to write (and critique) book reviews and review essays, how to find primary sources, and how to discuss historical materials critically yet fairly.

Credits: 3