Description of the Course: This course has been designed with two overlapping objectives in mind. The first is to provide you with a general introduction to American history from the colonial era through Reconstruction. In accomplishing that, it should also offer insight into-and background for-some of those themes and issues that are still relevant to our culture, politics, and society today. Some of the themes this course will cover include the development of a stable yet flexible, democratic political system; the extent to which that political system remained consistent with the principles of our nation's founding; the peopling of North America and various groups' contributions to American society and culture; industrialization and technological advancement and their impact on family and work life; and recurring reform and religious movements and the social, economic, and political problems those movements sought to alleviate. Perhaps most importantly, we will explore the central paradox of American history, namely, how a nation founded on the principles of liberty and freedom could be built with slave labor. This theme captures many of the ironies and contradictions that make American history so rich and complex.

Class Meeting Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:30PM-3:45PM

This course is taught by: Professor Andy Moore

This course fulfills a requirement for: Teacher Education Program

Saint Anselm College, a Benedictine, Catholic, Liberal Arts College
100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, New Hampshire 03102

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Copyrighted by the History Department, Saint Anselm College, 2006.