Proseminar: Introduction to Graduate Study of American History to 1865

4 units

This course will serve as an introduction to graduate-level work in American history. It surveys major historical works, themes and controversies, beginning with the earliest contacts between Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans on the North American continent and continuing through the Civil War. What constitutes good history and the relation of theory and practice in the writing of history are among the issues that will be addressed. The course is required for all departmental graduate students doing advanced work or field preparation in American history (and strongly suggested for non-historians incorporating history in an American Culture Studies program); advanced undergraduates may be admitted with permission of the instructor.