10/6

Thur.

A day of philosophy and religion, which in this case means looking at two distinct (yet connected) colonial phenomena: The Age of Enlightenment and the First Great Awakening.  We’ll look at what effect these two events had on the developing identity of the Colonies.

Some key questions to consider:

Are there any ideas common to both Enlightenment philosophy and the tenets of the First Great Awakening?  How did these ideas fit into the trend of growing tension between the Colonies and their mother country?

Reading Due:

Nation of Nations, pp. 104-114

10/7

Fri.

A discussion on the issue of Royal authority in the Colonies as we begin our look at the Seven Years War (also known by its other name, the French & Indian War) and its effects on British-Colonial relations on the eve of the American Revolution.

Some key questions to consider:

How did the Seven Years War create a new crisis for the British in the Colonies?  How did the British choose to deal with this crisis?

Reading Due:

Nation of Nations, pp. 120-128

10/11

Tue.

We’ll continue our build-up to the American Revolution by looking at the series of policies directed at England’s North American colonies between 1765 and 1775, and the colonial reaction to those policies.

Some key questions to consider:

At what point did reconciliation between England and the Colonies become a lost cause?

Reading Due:

Nation of Nations, pp. 128-139

10/13

Thur.

We will look at a different interpretation of the events that lead to revolution in the colonies and ponder why some colonists really did feel that union with the crown was no longer a viable way to live.

Some key questions to consider:

Howard Zinn certainly provides a different take on the standard interpretation of the reasons for revolt that you likely learned in grade school: Do you buy it?  Is the nature of this revolution truly an example of those with economic power in this country manipulating those without economic power to do their fighting for them?  What do you believe and the three main reasons (if you had to name three) for revolution?

Reading Due:

Handout: Zinn Chapter 4, Tyranny is Tyranny

10/18

Tue.

First Paper Due!  We will do a close examination of one of the central (and most heavily invoked) texts in our nation’s history: the Declaration of Independence.

Some key questions to consider:

Make five significant observations about the Declaration after having read it and come to class prepared to discuss the importance, consequences, and implications of those observations.

Reading Due:

Nation of Nations appendix A.1-A.3 (Declaration of Independence)

10/20

Thur.

Fast forward to the end of the revolution (though your reading in Nations for today will fill in the military history of the conflict).  The country is now technically “free” and with freedom comes the potential for chaos.  As a thoughtful member of the new country you will need to contribute your thoughts on what kind of government to construct in place of the British Crown.  We will spend time this week designing our own political system before examining and critiquing the two systems that were in fact designed by the early legislative bodies. 

Some Key Questions To Consider

Complete the “Designing your own Political System” handout (online) making notes of your logic along the way. (Hint: the more supporting data the better.)

Reading Due:

Nation of Nations pp. 162-171 (Note: this is background reading on the actual revolution that we will not be covering that in class…please read it nonetheless.)

10/21

Fri.

We will continue and complete designing our own political systems.

Some Key Questions To Consider:

None            

Reading Due:

None

10/25

Tue.

A close examination of the first attempted form of government by the young nation: the Articles of Confederation. 

Some key questions to consider:

What assumptions can you identify in the Articles themselves?  What is the purpose of this document for those who created it?  What are some potential implications of the assumption and purpose that you can project?  Did the Articles reflect the ideals of the revolution?

Reading Due:

Nation of Nations 172-186; Handout: Articles of Confederation (online)

10/27

Thur.

We will attempt to draw some conclusions about support (or lack thereof) for the new form of government. 

Some key questions to consider:

Based on your reading, writing and our conversations, what conclusions would you draw about who would be in favor of this kind of government and who might have a hard time with it?  Who stands to gain from this form of government?  Who stands to lose?

Reading Due:

None

10/28

Fri.

Reflection Paper Due.  A brilliant, engaging and, yes, occasionally humorous Constitutional Convention lecture. 

Some key questions to consider:

What issues did the various delegates bring with them to the Constitutional Convention that influenced the debates at that gathering?  What are the positions of the “Federalists” and “Anti-Federalists” (a.k.a. the Republicans)?  Who attends?  Who is noticeably absent?

Reading Due:

Nation of Nations pp. 191-198

11/1

Tue.

A scintillating, riveting and poignant lecture on our nation’s rulebook: the Constitution -- how it is organized, what is contained in it and where did the framers of it insert clever inside jokes.

Some key questions to consider:

What assumptions can you identify in The Constitution itself?  What is the purpose of this document for those who created it?  What are some potential implications of the assumption and purpose that you can project?  In what ways does it differ from the earlier Articles?  In what ways is it the same?

Reading Due:

The Constitution in its entirety (Nation of Nations Appendix A.4-A.19)

11/3 Thur.

In class practice with the Constitution. 

Some key questions to consider:

In what ways are the disagreements and compromises surrounding the new Iraqi constitution similar or different from those you have learned about in ours?

Reading Due:

None.  Work on your reflection piece due Friday.

11/4

Fri.

We will practice the application of our new knowledge by discussing a few select Supreme Court cases.

Some key questions to consider:

What concessions were made by including the Bill of Rights in the Constitution? To whom are these concessions made?

Reading Due:

Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments to the Constitution found in the Appendix of Nation of Nations); Handout: Supreme Court (online)

11/8

Tue.

Second Fact Sheet Quiz (aww yeah!); continuing with Supreme Court cases.

Some Key Questions To Consider:

None

Reading Due:

None. Prepare for Fact Sheet Quiz.