Fall 2014
This readings course surveys modern classics and cutting-edge historiography on the nineteenth century in the United States (especially the period 1830 to 1877), with an emphasis on how social and cultural histories have both promoted inclusiveness and trained our attention on conflict, contingency, experience, identity and language. We will read one monograph per week, supplemented by an occasional article and book review. The main written assignment is an historiographical essay of 20-25 pages on a topic related to your research interests. The reading list will be expressly designed to help students with comprehensive exam preparation in US fields.
