Charles University, American Studies

Syllabus: Case Studies in U.S. History

Fall, 2011

Norma J. Hervey, PhD

E-mail: herveynj@gmail.com

Phone: 732-877-809

Room: J3006, 15:30-16:50

Consultation hours: 14:00-15:30, room J3080

Group readings: Will e-mail information to you as I am waiting for a box of materials to be delivered.

Case Studies in U.S. History has different requirements and expectations than the normal history course offerings. You will select a topic in U.S. History that is of special interest to you. Possibilities include but are NOT limited to the following:

*Immigrant history in the 19^th, 20^th, or 21^st centuries or immigrants from one country or in one city or region;

*Contemporary political, social, or economic issues;

*Role of the United States in the world during different centuries or periods;

*Slavery, the Civil War, the aftermath of that war, or the Civil Rights movement;

*Native American history during the colonial era, manifest destiny, or today;

*Economic developments, legal and other consequences, i.e., the Gilded Age or major depressions;

*Poverty and any effort to deal with it, i.e., The War on Poverty or FDR’s reforms in the 1930’s

*Unions, utopias, reform movements;

*Women’s history

*American leaders: government, business, social causes,

science, education, etc.

DO NOT WRITE A SURVEY OF ANY PERIOD OR EVENT HOWEVER. Narrow your topic to a very specific issue. Examples include the causes leading to the Civil War, the outcomes of the Civil Rights Movement, or a history of Reconstruction and the racism and lynching that followed. Others are the history of a specific Native American tribe or women ‘s history in the 17^th, 18^th, 19^th or 20^th centuries or economic and political realities during the Gilded Age or the history of the labor movement in the 19^th or 20^th centuries. What myths have the greatest impact? Why might Americans reject class labels? What are the consequences? These samples are far from comprehensive. You may certainly propose other topics. Next week bring a list of three topics of interest to you to class on the second card. INCLUDE your name The only restriction is that each person will have a unique topic. The course will NOT have any examinations or quizzes.

Research possibilities open to you are endless; I hope that excitement will be contagious. As we are reminded on a daily basis, we live in challenging times when many of the expectations based on history and culture are in the process of upheaval. Yet, many of these same challenges pepper our past. The American dream may be unique to each individual but the Constitution refers to "the common good" and the "general welfare." You will develop your own thesis based on your readings and interpretation of your sources. It may be useful to consider whether or not common values were respected or denied in the history you are writing. You will quickly discover multiple interpretations on important topics as you find and read your sources.

Now I want to give you an overview of this semester. We will have some common readings; these will help you to focus on a topic for your research and to be sure that you know the methodologies for historical research and the requirements for your work. Jot down questions AND ideas you want to discuss in class as you read. Our purpose in reading and discussion is to provide background for research in U.S. history. You do not need to take detailed notes on the readings; there will not be any exams. Your research paper AND a 20 minute oral class presentation about your topic plus your participation in class discussions and your attendance to all classes and appointments are the basis of your grade. The grade will be 50% for a 20-25 page research paper, 35% for your presentation of your research in December and 15% for your preparation for and participation in discussion in class. Discussion classes will end when you begin your independent research project. After you begin your actual research, I will meet independently with each of you to discuss your work and your progress.

Our first appointment will be to evaluate your bibliography. When you have read several of your chosen sources, we will meet to discuss your ideas for a possible thesis and the evidence you have to support it. Our individual meetings will be appointments set in advance. I will also be available in our seminar room during our regularly scheduled class if you wish to consult me without an appointment. We can schedule individual meetings in the library or the American Culture Centre in Male Strana or in my apartment, 9/57 Valentinska, Apt. 8 (buzzer lists Muchovi), Praha 1. The Centre is only open on week day afternoons so that may be difficult for some, depending on your schedules. I will expect you to contact me via e-mail within a stated time when you are ready to discuss your bibliography. Our second meeting will focus on your ideas for a thesis. We can meet on weekends if you wish but that will require some advance planning. I will read a draft of your paper in advance and then we will schedule the dates of your presentations together.

EVERYONE WILL BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL PRESENTATIONS which will begin during class time in late November. It may be possible to invite other students and faculty to join us. Those presenting should be prepared to lead a discussion and answer questions. You will begin by giving an overview of your topic and your thesis. DO NOT READ YOUR PAPERS BUT SUMMARIZE THE TOPIC FOCUSING ON YOUR INTERPRETATION AND THE DOCUMENTS WHICH SUPPORT YOUR IDEAS. Your final paper is due at our last class session although you may turn it in earlier if you wish. You may chose to do the final editing of your paper after your class presentation. The last class day, December 20^th, will be devoted to discussion and evaluation of the course. I will return your papers to you early in the next term or as soon as I read the final paper. It is essential that I have your e-mail addresses so that I can communicate with you throughout the term.

Next week’s assignment is to select three possible topics for your research; check for resources on those topics of interest to you. You may change your topic until the final approval in mid- October It will be helpful for you to explore reference works AND to look for current information in one or more journal articles or in reference books relating to your topic BEFORE you make your final choice. Explore possibilities. Seek topics for which you have a real passion. Each person will have a unique assignment so we may have to juggle choices. This is an important choice for you, one which might also contribute to your future writing and research.. In addition to our appointments, I will always be glad to read what you have done and to confer with you individually as your work takes shape. We will discuss in class the meaning of an argumentative thesis, what is required for your bibliography, style manual to be used, plagiarism, and the format of your papers.