HIST 615: Problems in American History

HIST 615-002: Slavery, Race, and the American Founding
(Fall 2012)

07:20 PM to 10:00 PM M

Thompson Hall 1017

Section Information for Fall 2012

This course explores the contests over slavery and race that emerged in the Atlantic world in the era of the American Revolution. Discussions of race and slavery intersected with emerging ideologies of republicanism, natural rights, citizenship, free trade, and Christianity in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Slavery was contested around the Atlantic by a cosmopolitan group of black and white opponents. It was debated and legislated on within each of the national empires that operated in the eighteenth-century Atlantic. It occupied a controversial place in the new United States and gave shape to emergent northern and southern sections of the young nation, even as economic and political changes transformed the institution. And amidst all of these other transformations, slavery continued to be a point of conflict in communities, churches, families, and individual consciences. This course will survey the growing literature on these issues, focusing on three main themes: understanding individual experiences and identities in this era of upheaval; exploring what the “age of democratic revolutions” meant for slavery and race; and considering how racial ideologies and the persistence of slavery shaped the nature of democratic change in this era. This course fulfills the “Origins to 1861” requirement in History.

View 6 Other Sections of this Course in this Semester »

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 1-6

Readings and discussion of bibliographies, interpretations, and research trends in topics selected by instructor. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Related Course, Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.