This course presents a detailed analysis of the causes and consequences of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Included will be a detailed examination of the military, political, social, cultural and constitutional aspects of the struggle, including a full survey of the reconstruction of South.

There is one textbook that provides general survey coverage of the material which will be highlighted during the semester. The lectures and class activities will also provide significant material in that regard. Classroom activities will include the use of several documentaries about the war. Because of the diverse and extended scholarly attention the Civil War era has attracted, each student will also have the opportunity to read additional historical studies based on their individual interests. The following text is on sale in the Austin College bookstore.

James M. McPherson. Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction. Third Edition. McGraw-Hill. Paperback.
ISBN 0-07-231736-1.

There will be three tests: two unit examinations and a final examination. As well, each student will engage in outside reading as noted below. The graded assignments will have the following percentage in determining the final course grade:

Reading List ----------- 10%
1st Unit Examination --- 30%
2nd Unit Examination --- 30%
Final Examination ------ 30%

The instructor reserves the right to raise or lower the final course grade according to class discussion and participation. No extra credit work will be assigned.

Students will read extensively in the historical literature from the library's general collection dealing with the Civil War and Reconstruction. Each undergraduate will be required to read a minimum total of 2000 pages during the semester from monographs or biographies dealing with the era. Graduate students must read a minimum total of 3000 pages. For purposes of rough approximation, this total reflects the estimate that each book read will be some 200-300 pages or so in length. Of course, should students choose some books which are longer or shorter, the number of books read will vary from individual to individual.

Students will assemble their own formal reading list based on a personal bibliographic search which reflects their interests. Students have complete freedom of choice in selecting their reading. You may, for example, read books all centered on one topic, or vary them widely to reflect all aspects of the course. All books chosen must be valid works of recognized historical scholarship and may be listed in one of the following two finding aids: Frank Friedel, ed., The Harvard Guide to American History, 2 vols. or Light T. Cummins and Alvin Bailey, A Guide to the History of Texas. As well, any book listed in the bibliographies of the assigned course books is appropriate.

The instructor must approve the reading list, which should be formally submitted by the end of the second week of class. At that time, the student should submit a typed list which includes author, title, date and place of publication, publisher, number of pages, and Abell Library call number. It should be arranged alphabetically by author. Include only those books which you will read in their entirety. Consider this list a reading contract for the semester with the instructor. This list will be graded and will count 10% of the final grade. The instructor might add or delete titles, which in turn will provide your final reading list. The list will be graded on the following criteria: completion by the deadline, appropriateness of the titles as major historical works dealing with the course, and the furnishing of the desired bibliographical information noted above.

Students will be tested on their outside reading in the following manner. At least one class period before each test, the student will turn in to the instructor during class a blank blue book which will be returned at test time. The exam will be taken in this blue book. On the inside front cover of this blue book, the student should have listed by author and title all of the books from their reading list which they have read during the period of the course covered by the examination. The instructor will then fashion a specially designed essay question for each student based specifically on the books read by each individual, and which will be particularly based on the information and interpretations contained in these books. This reading question will count 33% of the examination grade. It is important that students pace their outside reading in such a manner that approximately one third of it is done during each of the three testing periods. For that reason, the instructor expects to see listed at the time of each examination a total number of books reflecting one third of the total outside reading for the course.

For the purposes of this course, all assignments have been made on the first day of class. Therefore, under no circumstances whatsoever will late work be accepted for course credit without penalty. Only students with verifiable excuses will be allowed to take make-up examinations. In the case of the final, no student will be permitted to take the exam at another time without the instructor's consultation with the mentor and registrar's office.

No incomplete grades will be awarded in this course for any reason whatsoever, except in those cases where the student has been rendered unable to continue in the routine of attending college and is not completing work in their other classes as well because of such situation. These cases will be coordinated through the Dean's Office.

All students are encouraged to keep several factors in mind: roll will be called every day and an attendance record kept; missing class for any reason whatsoever will not be excused as each student is fully responsible for changes of schedule, assignment, and all course content material noted each day whether or not they attended; and the instructor reserves the right to make a subjective judgment in raising or lowering a student's final course grade based upon class attendance and participation. In general, more than three absences will affect your grade. If you miss more than one third of the aggregate course activities for any reason whatsoever you will automatically be dropped. I will not give a WP to any student who is being dropped for attendance reasons. Any student being dropped for absences will be dropped with a WF no matter what their grade average might be in the course. In addition, I expect all students to conduct themselves in a manner that does not disrupt the class.  I reserve the right to drop any student from the course who repeatedly disrupts class as a result of their behavior. Disruptive behavior includes coming late to class or leaving the room during lecture. Any student who leaves the room during a lecture once class in is progress cannot return to the room during that class period. 

Those students taking this course for graduate credit are expected to complete an additional research project of a substantial nature. These students should consult with the instructor as soon as possible order to discuss individually this requirement.

It is an important goal for this course that each student get the best grade they are able to earn. For that reason, please bring to the immediate attention of the instructor as soon as possible any matter, event, occurrence, circumstance, or consideration which might have a direct or indirect impact on your performance in the course. Please do not delay in mentioning such matters, even as a situation develops, since the instructor will assume no problems are bearing upon your situation unless informed otherwise.

There will be three units in the course. They are as follows:

Unit I
    The Coming of the War and Early Events
    This unit will survey the creation of the various national problems that caused the war, including the rise of sectionalism, the expansion of slavery, and the polarization of political parties. It will deal with the secession crisis, the strengths/weaknesses of both sides, leadership, and military organization. It will also examine strategies and early battles, along with the establishment of the Confederacy.

    The Unit I examination will be held on: Monday  October 1th.
     Reading Assignment from McPherson: 3-226.

Unit II
    From McClellan to Grant
    This unit will examine the political and military developments of the war from the Peninsular Campaigns of General George McClellan to the rise of U.S. Grant as the Commanding General of the Federal Army. Major campaigns and battles will be featured, along with an extensive examination of life and labor behind the lines. Political developments, both north and south, will also be featured.

    The Unit II examination will be held on: Friday, November 2th
    Reading Assignment from McPherson: 227-442.
 

Unit III
    The Fall of the Confederacy and Reconstruction
    This unit will survey the military events that won the war for the United States and examine the fall of the Confederacy. It will also provide a detailed examination of Reconstruction and the impact that it had on the South.

The Unit III examination will be held during the regularly scheduled time for the administration of final examinations. For this class, that will be: 9:00 am,Thursday,  December 13th in Hopkins Center 210. Since this examination is not a comprehensive examination, but instead is the test that covers only Unit III, the total amount of time for its administration will be limited to one hour which is the allotted time for the other two examinations.
    Reading Assignment from McPherson: 443-659.
 
 

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