HISTORY 2341

Dr. Allan Purcell

The Old South

(#49537 NRG 007) and (#49536 RGC 002)



COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a survey of the political, economic, social, and constitutional events in the American South to 1861.
 
 

COURSE RATIONALE: This course offers the student the opportunity to examine in depth the American South from 1607 to 1861. It provides interested students the ability to fulfill the Legislative Requirement in U.S. History with an alternative to the survey courses and provides an elective for History majors and other transfer curriculum students.



COURSE METHODOLOGY: This is a lecture course with opportunity for student discussion.
 
 

COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES: http://www.austincc.edu/history
 
 

TEXTBOOK: Clement Eaton. A History of the Old South, (3rd Ed.)



COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. The material in A History of the Old South is to be read and studied according to the attached schedule.

2. Punctual and regular attendance is required. Any student accumulating three (3) or more UNEXCUSED absences MAY be dropped from this course. This is at the discretion of the instructor.

3. The quality and quantity of the work done by the student determines his/her final grade:
 
 

For the grade of "A", the student must complete all four unit exams with an overall average of 90 or above AND write two analytical book reports (at least one of which must be graded "EXCELLENT" and the other "ACCEPTABLE") AND pass the course map test.

For the grade of "B", the student must complete all four unit exams with an overall average of 80 or above AND write one analytical book report (which must be graded at least "ACCEPTABLE") AND pass the course map test.

For the grade of "C", the student must complete all four unit exams with an overall average of 70 or above AND pass the course map test.

For the grade of "F", the student who fails to take all four unit exams or who fails to maintain an overall average of 70 on these four unit exams or who fails the course map test or who commits any act of scholastic dishonesty will earn the grade of "F".

For the grade of "I", the student must have a medical excuse certified by a physician. Otherwise there will be NO Incompletes. Any Incompletes MUST be completed within the first four weeks of the following semester.

UNIT EXAMS: Each of the four unit exams may be taken twice. The first time will be in class on the day mentioned in the attached semester schedule. If the student wishes to retest, they may take the exam one more time in the Testing Center. However, there are two restrictions on the retest: first, the HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON THE RETEST IS 70 and second, THIS RETEST MUST BE TAKEN WITHIN ONE WEEK OF THE TIME THE UNIT EXAM IS GIVEN IN CLASS. The higher of the two grades will be the one recorded for the student for that unit exam. (If a student misses the unit exam in class for good cause- as determined by the instructor- they may then take the unit exam in the Testing Center for the first time with no restrictions on the grade.) CAUTION: STUDENTS TAKING OR RETAKING UNIT EXAMS IN THE TESTING CENTER SHOULD RETAIN THE TESTING CENTER "FEEDBACK" SHEET AND PRESENT IT TO THE INSTRUCTOR AT THE NEXT CLASS MEETING.

The unit exams consist of multiple-choice questions covering the textbook material and classroom exposition as highlighted by the learning objectives issued for each chapter.
 
 

AL'S SPECIAL DISPENSATION: If I have scheduled my unit exam on the same day on which you are already taking one or more exams, you may take my exam a day or two earlier or later (in the Testing Center), PROVIDED THAT YOU TELL ME BEFORE THE EXAM DAY.
 
 

MAP TEST: Because Southern history is shaped and influenced by the geography of the region, it is imperative that the student knows the basic facts of Southern geography. Therefore the student will be required to pass a geography map test. This test will require the student to locate on an outline map of the American South twenty of the features named on the list in the "Study Guide". A passing score is 80%. The test will be taken in class on an outline map provided by the instructor. This map test must be passed by the mid-semester point.



COMPUTER-ASSISTED INSTRUCTION: This is entirely voluntary. All of the learning objectives for this course have been programmed on the course website at:

http:www2.austincc.edu/purcell

Further instructions on the use of this material as one means of learning course material will be provided during an in-class demonstration period at the beginning of each semester. I wish to make two important points concerning computer-assisted instruction: first, this is completely voluntary- the student is NOT required to use computer-assisted instruction, however experience has shown those students who do use it tend to score higher on the unit exams and second, computer-assisted instruction supplements but DOES NOT REPLACE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION. Even if students use computer-assisted instruction, they must still attend class.
 
 

ANALYTICAL BOOK REPORTS:
 
 

Rationale: This analytical book report will critically examine an important scholarly book covering some aspect of Southern History to 1861. The purpose of this report is twofold: first, to acquaint the student with a classic volume of historical scholarship and second, to allow the student to think critically about an important facet of Southern history and then to organize your thoughts in clear, cogent prose. You should not view this simply as a hurdle which you must overcome in order to earn a grade of "A" or "B" in this course, but rather approach it as an opportunity to expand your creativity in thinking and writing, two very important aspects of any individual's necessary life skills. Therefore, be advised that I consider this a VERY important aspect of this course and your reports will be read and graded VERY carefully.
 
 

Form: Each book report will be approximately 1500 words long, although this is a general guideline and not an absolute requirement. The main objective of this analytical book report should be to comprehensively cover the three sections of the following book report outline:

Part I: This is a brief outline of the contents of the book. In the space of one or two paragraphs you should be able to convey the parameters of the book's contents. DO NOT simply reproduce the book's table of contents.

Part II: Here is the place for a careful summary of the author's thesis. The thesis is the primary idea the author is trying to prove and convince the reader to accept. You must first identify the thesis and then show how the author either substantiates or fails to substantiate this thesis. This will undoubtedly take you a page or two to do a good job.

Part III: This is the most important part of your book report. Here is where you describe your reaction to the book. Some of the questions you must answer include: Do you agree or disagree with the book's conclusions? Why? Did the book support or contradict what you read in your textbook on the same subject? (You MUST quote some of the relevant passages from both books.) Did you detect any biases on the part of the author? What was the author's background and why did he or she write the book? How in your opinion could the book have been improved? You must be specific and keep in mind there are NO perfect books. Did you enjoy reading the book? Why or why not? Would you recommend it to others?
 
 

Grading: The book reports will be graded "EXCELLENT", "ACCEPTED", or "NOT ACCEPTED". The second book report, required only of those seeking the grade of "A", must be graded "EXCELLENT". The first book report, required of those seeking the grades of "A" and "B", must be "ACCEPTED". Any "NOT ACCEPTED" books will be returned to the student to be rewritten.
 
 

Due Dates: The first analytical book report is due at mid-semester. This is required for those seeking a "B" or "A" in the course. The second analytical book report is due one week before the

end of the semester. This is required only of those seeking the grade of "A" in the course.
 
 

Books: The following books may be read for the analytical book report. If you wish to substitute another book for one of these, YOU MUST RECEIVE THE INSTRUCTOR'S PRIOR APPROVAL. All of the following books are found on the shelves of the RGC Library.
 
 

Thomas Abernathy. The South and the New Nation, 1789-1819

John Alden. The South in the Revolution, 1763-1789

David Allmendinger. Ruffin

Eugene C. Barker. The Life of Stephen F. Austin

Herbert Bolton. Texas in the Middle Eighteenth Century

T.H. Breen. Tobacco Culture

Wallace Brown. The Good Americans

W.J. Cash. The Mind of the South

William Cooper, Jr. The South and the Politics of Slavery

Wesley Craven. The Southern Colonies in the Late Seventeenth Century

Noble Cunningham. In Pursuit of Reason

Burke Davis. George Washington and the American Revolution

Alexander De Conde. This Affair of Louisiana

Clement Eaton. The Mind of the Old South

John Edmunds. Francis W. Pickens

Noemie Emery. Washington: A Biography

James Flexner. George Washington (any volume)

___________. Washington: The Indispensable Man

Robert Fogel. Without Consent or Contract

John Hope Franklin. The Militant South

William Freehling. Prelude to Civil War

Rhys Isaac. The Transformation of Virginia, 1740-1790

Winthrop Jordan. White Over Black

Gerda Lerner. The Grimke Sisters of South Carolina

John Lofton. Denmark Vesey's Revolt

Dumas Malone. Jefferson and His Time (any volume)

John McCardell. The Idea of a Southern Nation

Glover Moore. The Missouri Controversy

Allan Nevins. Ordeal of the Union (any volume)

Frank Owsley. Plain Folk of the Old South

Merrill Peterson. The Great Triumvirate

Willard Randall. Benedict Arnold

Robert Remini. Andrew Jackson (any volume)

Robert Rutland. James Madison the Founding Father

Craig Simpson. A Good Southerner

David Stick. Roanoke Island

Charles Sydnor. The Development of Southern Nationalism 1819-1848

Larry Tise. Proslavery

Alden Vaughan. American Genesis

John Weems. To Conquer a Peace

Bell Wiley. Southern Negroes

Clyde Wilson. Carolina Cavalier

Bertram Wyatt-Brown. Honor and Violence in the Old South
 
 
 
 

In addition the textbook, A History of the Old South, provides a full bibliography of additional titles concerning Southern History. Most of those volumes are in The University of Texas General Library and the Austin Public Library. You may use these resources to find a book for your book report, however if you select a book not on the list above, you must bring it in for the instructor's approval BEFORE you write your report.
 
 

Old South Course Schedule

Date Class Activity Textbook Chapter
Jan 13 European Background Chapter 1
Jan 15 Early Colonies
Jan 20 Carolina & Georgia Chapter 2
Jan 22 Backcountry Settlement Chapters 3 & 4
Jan 27 Social & Political Organizations Chapter 5
Jan 29 Imperial Relations I Chapter 6
Feb 3 Imperial Relations II
Feb 5 UNIT EXAM #1 & MAP TEST
Feb 10 Frontier & Articles of Confederation Chapter 7
Feb 12 Constitution Chapter 8
Feb 17 First Party System
Feb 19 Thomas Jefferson Chapter 9
Feb 24 Creole Civilization Chapter 10
Feb 26 War of 1812 Chapter 11
Mar 3 Missouri Compromise Chapter 12
Mar 5 UNIT EXAM #2
Mar 10 & 12 SPRING VACATION
Mar 17 Slavery I (MID-SEMESTER POINT) Chapter 13
Mar 19 Slavery II Chapter 14
Mar 24 Yeoman Farmers & Poor Whites Chapter 15
Mar 26 Andrew Jackson Chapter 16
Mar 31 Two Party South Chapter 17
Apr 2 John C. Calhoun Chapter 18
Apr 7 UNIT EXAM #3
Apr 9 Texas Chapter 19
Apr 14 War With Mexico
Apr 16 Proslavery Arguments Chapters 20 & 21
Apr 21 Southern Trade & Education Chapters 22 & 23
Apr 23 Fire-Eaters Chapter 24
Apr 28 The 1850's I
Apr 30 The 1850's II Chapter 25
May 5 Secession
May 7 UNIT EXAM #4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

OFFICE HOURS: M W 6:30AM to 10:30AM in ATT 214

T H 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM in ATT 214
 
 

TELEPHONE:223-3398
 
 

E-MAIL:apurcell@austincc.edu
 
 

WEBSITE: http://www2.austincc.edu/purcell
 
 

DUE DATE: First Book Report: March 17, 2003

                  Second Book Report: April 30, 2003
 
 

LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW: April 21, 2003
 
 

COURSE COMPLETION DEADLINE: May 7, 2003 at end of class.
 
 

BUILDING REGULATIONS: IVC regulations prohibit smoking, eating, and drinking in the classroom. These regulations will be enforced in this course.
 
 

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY: "Acts prohibited by the college for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research, or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework." (ACC Student Handbook.) Anyone committing these acts in this course will receive the grade of "F" for the course.
 
 

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: "Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester." (ACC Student Handbook)
 
 

TESTING CENTER POLICY:http:www2.austincc.edu/testctr
 
 

ACADEMIC FREEDOM: The free exchange of information is vital to the pursuit of learning.