AM 103W-001: Introduction to American Studies: Becoming Americans (4 cr)
Prof. Lynn | TuTh, 11:10-12:30 | TLC 308
Syllabus LinkThis version of the Introduction to American Studies will focus on the 18th century
experiences of British colonists in North America who ended the century as citizens
of a new nation, the United States of America. Beginning with the so-called French
and Indian Wars (King William’s War, 1689-1697, Queen Anne’s War, 1702-1713, King
George’s War, 1744-1748 and the Seven Years War, 1754-1763), the colonists and British
forces struggled for control of North America against the French and their Indian
Allies. At the same time, the African slave trade grew exponentially creating the
plantation system (and the fortunes of the slave traders), while enslaved Africans
came to comprise nearly one-fifth of the population of the thirteen colonies. The
Great Awakening transformed the religious life of the colonies while establishing
patterns of evangelism still important today; eventually, controversies over taxation
to fund the British governance of the colonies led to the American Revolution and
ultimately to constitutional government. These evens will be considered from a variety
of disciplinary perspectives and primary sources including those from cultural and
political history, religion, literature, music and art history as well as the different
ways in which this developing American culture has been portrayed in the 20th and
21st centuries.
(Fulfills expository writing requirement.)