United States to 1865

In this course, we will study the history of the United States from the earliest inhabitants of the North American continent to the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. Through three units – Migrations & Captivities, Borders & Transformations, and Diffusions & Enclosures – we will explore the movements of people, goods, and ideas within the North American continent and in the broader Atlantic world as well as study the impact of transformative historical processes and changes.

Unit I: Migrations & Captivities

Reading: Marcus Rediker, The Slave Ship

Unit II: Borders & Transformations

Reading: Gerald Horne, The Counter Revolution of 1776

Unit III: Diffusions & Enclosures

Reading: Edward Baptist, The Half Has Never Been Told