HIST 435-01, The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, Fall 2006

Abstract

This course focuses on the political, constitutional, social, and cultural developments surrounding the American Civil War. Topics will include the development of antebellum society in the North and South, the rise of sectional politics and the crisis of secession, the impact of the war on the lives of white and black Americans, and post-war attempts to reconstruct the social, political, and constitutional order. This course will be taught as a seminar. This means that it is vital that students attend class, read the assignments, think about the material, and participate in discussions. After completing this course, students should have a broad understanding of the history of the Civil War and Reconstruction Era, as well as improved written, oral, and critical thinking skills.