SYLLABUS
HISTORY 492/592
The US in World Affairs, 1760-1919
Professor Steven J. Bucklin
Fall 2009
Office: 205 East Hall
Phone: 677-5575
Email: sbucklin@usd.edu
Office Hours: MWF 0900-1030 and 1500-1630 hours; and by appointment
Class Room: East Hall 213
Class Time: 1300-1350
INTRODUCTION
This course is a study of American foreign relations from the Colonial period to 1919. The approach of this course is both chronological and thematic. It is organized around four chronological units: 1760-1800; 1800-1848; 1844-1865; and 1865-1920. Thematically, we will examine U.S. ideology, the establishment of certain traditions in the pursuit of U.S. foreign policy goals, the developing antagonism between the legislative and executive branches of government over control of the foreign policy making process, the impact of racism and Social Darwinism on U.S. foreign policy, and concepts of national honor and national security. Upon completion of the course, you will have gained an historical perspective on American foreign policy for the period 1760 to 1900 and beyond.
REQUIRED BOOKS/READINGS
Paterson, American Foreign Relations, Vol. I
Calloway, The Scratch of a Pen
Cooper, The Warrior and the Priest
ATTENDANCE
Why not?
DISCUSSION
You should come to class prepared to lead or to join discussion of the assigned readings. The quality of our discussions will depend in large part upon your preparation and willingness to participate in them.
EXAMS
There will be two essay format exams. Each exam will be worth twenty-five percent of your total grade. My exams require you to answer a combination of essay questions terms drawn from the material covered for that exam. See the Exam Worksheet for suggestions on how to craft these answers.
PAPERS
All students will write a three-to-five page review of the Calloway and Cooper books in that order. The reviews will be written according to the Writing Reviews worksheet. Each review will be worth twenty-five percent of your course grade. I do not, under most circumstances, accept late papers and I do not accept under any circumstances additional work ("extra credit") to supplement poor performance.
Graduate students will write either a research paper or historiographical essay on an approved topic in addition to the two reviews. Discuss your proposed topic with me before 11 September.
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM
No credit can be given for a dishonest assignment. At the discretion of the instructor, a student caught engaging in any form of academic dishonesty may be:
a. Given a zero for that assignment.
b. Allowed to rewrite and resubmit the assignment for credit.
c. Assigned a reduced grade for the course.
d. Dropped from the course.
e. Failed in the course.
As for plagiarism, the simple rule is that your work must be your own. If you use ideas, organization, wording, or anything else from a source, cite it. When in doubt, cite a source!
INCENTIVES
I factor in your attendance and contributions in class to your final grade in the event that it is on the border between two grades. I do not accept additional work ("extra credit") to supplement poor performance.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Any student who feels s/he may need academic accommodations or access accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability should contact and register with Disability Services during the first week of class. Disability Services is the official office to assist students through the process of disability verification and coordination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with Disability Services must obtain a new accommodation memo each semester. Contact Ernetta L. Fox, Director, Disability Services, Room 119 Service Center, 677-6389
Web Site: www.usd.edu/ds
E-mail: dservices@usd.edu
PROBLEMS
Should you have a problem with the course that you find difficult to discuss with me or that is about me, you should contact the History Department administrative staff at 207 East Hall (677-5218) or Dr. Judith Sebesta, the Chairperson of the History Department.
FREEDOM IN LEARNING
South Dakota Board of Regents Faculty must include the following statement in all course syllabi:
Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the dean of the college or school that offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
READING ASSIGNMENTS/CLASS SCHEDULE
Week 1 (2, 4 Sep)
Introduction to the course; concepts and themes of American Foreign Policy
Week 2 (7, 9, 11 Sep)
No class 7 Sep for Labor Day
Paterson, Chapter 1; Federalist Papers 42, 64, and 66 (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/fed.asp);
and the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/bar1796t.asp)
Week 3 (14, 16, 18 Sep)
Continue lecture and discussion from Chapter 1 and the primary sources
Week 4 (21, 23, 25)
Paterson, Chapter 2 and Washington’s Farewell Address (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp)
Week 5 (28, 30 Sep; 2 Oct)
Continue lecture and discussion from Chapter 2 and the primary sources
Week 6 (5, 7, 9 Oct)
Paterson, Chapter 3 and the Monroe Doctrine
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/monroe.asp
Week 7 (12, 14, 16 Oct)
Continue lecture and discussion from Chapter 3 and the primary sources
No class 12 Oct for Native American Day
First Review Due Friday 16 Oct
Week 8 (19, 21, 23 Oct)
Read Chapter 4; Clayton-Bulwer Treaty at: (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/br1850.asp);
Emancipation Proclamation at: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/emancipa.asp
Week 9 (26, 28, 30 Oct)
Continue lecture and discussion from Chapter 4 and the primary sources
Treaty of Kanagwa at:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/japan002.asp
Week 10 (2, 4, 6 Nov)
Read Chapter 5; Fort Laramie Treaty, 1868 at:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/nt001.asp
The Dawes Act at:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/dawes.asp
The Chinese Exclusion Act at:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/chinese_exclusion_act.asp
Week 11 (9, 11, 13 Nov)
No class 11 Nov for Veterans Day
Continue lecture and discussion from Chapter 5 and the primary sources
Week 12 (16, 18, 20 Nov)
Read Chapter 6 and Open Door Notes, trade statistics 1; trade statistics 2;
Imperialism at its Height; Platform of the American Anti-Imperialist League
Week 13 (23, 25, 27 Nov)
No class 27 Nov for Thanksgiving
Continue lecture and discussion from Chapter 6 and the primary sources
Week 14 (30 Nov; 2, 4 Dec)
Read Chapter 7 and Taft-Katsura Agreement; Root-Takahira Agreement; Platt Amendment; and the Roosevelt Corollary
Week 15 (7, 9, 11 Dec)
Second Review Due Friday 11 Dec
Read Chapter 8 and 14 Points Speech; Mandates Section, Covenant of the League of Nations;
Week 16
Final Exam, 0730-0930, Thursday, 17 December
