Module Code and Title            : WHS204 America: Colonization to Progressive era

Name of the programme           : BA in History and Dzongkha

Credit Value                             : 12

Module Tutor                            : To be recruited

General Objectives

This Module will help the students to have a clear idea and knowledge about the history of America (USA) from colonization to Progressive era. Since USA is playing an important role in various areas like politics, technology, science, diplomacy and statesmanship in global arena, it is necessary to know about the origin, growth and development of the democratic polity of USA. Thus this module deals with the freedom struggle of the colonies, establishment of democratic Govt., protection of human rights etc.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module, students will be able to:

1.    explain the socio-political background that led to the colonization

2.    discuss the roles played by May Flowers and Pilgrim Fathers

3.    describe the  causes  and results  of  the American civil War

4.    examine the role played by Abraham Lincoln in American Civil War

5.    critically analyse how the  Americans decided to form a democratic government with federal system

6.    evaluate the roles played by  James Munroe for the development of the American

7.     analyse the  contributions made by Roosevelt  with his New Deal Policy

8.    analyse the features of American foreign policy and dollar diplomacy

Learning and teaching approach

Assessment approach

The students will be assessed on a continuous basis as given below:

A. Assignment 1: 15% of internal assessment

The first assignment will have to be written individually consisting of 15%

B. Assignment 2 : 15% of internal assessment

The students will have to write a second assignment as group work and 5% of the 15% will be kept for Viva Voce

C. Class Test :10 % of internal assessment

A class test will be conducted which will comprise 10% of the internal assessment

D. Presentation: 10% of internal assessment

For this module, students will have to make a presentation each on a topic assigned by the tutor.

E. Semester-end Examination: 50%

Semester end Examination will be of 50% for this module

Overview of the assessment approaches and weighting

Prerequisite: N/A

Subject Matter

Unit I: European colonization

• Religious and political situations in England that led to colonization
• May flower and Pilgrim fathers
• Role of Geographical discoveries
• Early settlements
• Relation between colonies and mother country
• (Map work)

Unit II: Colonial exploitation by mother country

• Genesis of nationalism
• Political and economic factors
• Evolution of 13 colonies and their identity
• Influence of Puritanism

Unit III: American war of independence

• Various causes
• Course
• Battle of Saratoga and Yorktown
• Declaration of Independence
• George Washington and other Leaders

Unit IV: American Constitution and its salient features

• Role of Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams and James Madison.
• Democracy and Federalism
• Human rights and Secularism

Unit V: Westward Movement and Manifest Destiny

• Expansion of colonies
• Problems related to ethnic minority
• Various political movements and debates

Unit VI: American Civil War 

• Factors responsible for Civil War
• Events of Civil War
• Abraham Lincoln and his role in the civil War
• Results of civil War

Unit VII: Cessation and civil war

• Issue of Slavery
• Differences between Southerners and Northerners
• Civil war and the abolition of slavery

Unit VIII: American Identity

• James Munroe and Munroe Doctrine
• Development of foreign policy
• Relation with Europe
• Shift in foreign policy

Unit IX: Progressive Era

• Theodore Roosevelt and New Deal
• Temperance movement
• Economic crisis
• New deal
• Big stick policy and Dollar diplomacy
• Emergence as super power

Reading List:

Essential reading:

Beard, Charles A., & Beard, M.  (n.d). The Rise of American Civilization. New York: The Macmillan Company

Elson., & Henry W. (2012). History of the United States of America. UK: Forgotten Books

Cook., Chris., & Waller, D.( 2001). The Longman Handbook of Modern American History (1763 1996.U.S.A. Longman Publishers

Mahmood. S. (2012). The history of America: from pre-colonial times to World War II. India:Dorling            Kindersley Pvt. Ltd

Selcer, R.F. (2011). Civil War America – 1850-1875.New York: Info base Publication

Additional reading:

Bowman., & John S. (1995).The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography. UK: Cambridge  University Press

Ed. Foner, E. (1997).The new American history. Philadelphia. Temple University press

Faragher., & John M. (1998). The American Heritage Encyclopedia of American History. New York:            Henry Holt & Co.

Hicks, John D. (2004). Republican Ascendency 1929-33. New York: Harper & Rees, Morgan G

L, Norman. (2011). Mastering modern world history. (3^rd ed.). Delhi: Macmillian Publishers India Ltd

http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalogs/hup-brochure-2012-american-history.pdf

http://history-world.org/USA.pdf

http://www.thegoyslife.com/Documents/Books/A%20People%27s%20History%20of%20the%20United%20States-%20Howard%20Zinn.pdf

http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/lcco_ef.pdf 

Date: May, 2015