US History I Course Structure

TOPICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• Political institutions, political developments, and public policy: 30%
• Social developments: 30%
• Economic developments: 10%
• Cultural and intellectual developments: 20%
• Diplomacy and international relations: 10%

CHRONOLOGICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• 1500-1789: 30%
• 1790-1877: 70%

The following themes are reflected in a comprehensive introductory survey course.

• The impact of European discovery and colonization upon indigenous societies
• The nature of indigenous societies in North America
• The origins and nature of slavery and resistance
• Immigration and the history of ethnic minorities
• Major movements and individual figures in the history of women and the family
• The development and character of colonial societies
• British relations with the Atlantic colonies of North America
• The changing role of religion in American society
• The content of the Constitution and its amendments, and their interpretation by the Supreme Court
• The development and expansion of participatory democracy
• The growth of and changes in political parties
• The changing role of government in American life
• The intellectual and political expressions of nationalism
• Major movements and individual figures in the history of American literature, art, and popular culture
• Abolitionism and reform movements
• Long term democratic trends: immigration and internal migration
• The motivations for and character of American expansionism
• The process of economic growth and development
• The causes and impacts of major wars in United States history