History 336-001
Spring 2010
AMERICAN
INDIAN HISTORY TO 1900 T-TR 5-6:15, Morton
208
Dr.
David La Vere
Office Hours:
Office: Morton Hall 233
T-R:
Phone: 962-3315
Email: lavered@yahoo.com
AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY TO 1900
Blackboard: http://ncvista.blackboard.com
You
can find the syllabus and lecture assistance on Blackboard, an online UNCW Course Management System. You
will also be turning in your book exams electronically via Blackboard. That
means you must have access to a computer and the internet. It is essential that
you understand how Blackboard works. To log on to Blackboard, go to: http://ncvista.blackboard.com
or http://uncw.edu/itsd/help/instructions/BlackBoardVistaLoginInstructions.html.
Instructions for accessing a short
course on learning how Blackboard works can be found at http://people.uncw.edu/andersonsl/tutorials.html.
If you have problems with Blackboard or need help contact
TAC at TAC@uncw.edu
or call 910-962-4356 then press 1. You can access the syllabus through Dr. La Vere’s History Webpage: http://people.uncw.edu/lavered/index.htm
Books for
the Class:
Carl Waldman, Atlas
of the North American Indian
Michael Leroy Oberg, The Head in Edward Nugent’s Hand:
Theda Perdue, Cherokee Women: Gender & Culture
Change, 1700-1835
Frederick Turner, editor. Geronimo: His Own Story
American
Indian History:
This class will provide a
general look at American Indian history from the Paleoindian days of 18,000
years ago to just as the reservation allotment system began to take affect in
the late 1900s. That you’re taking this class tells me two things: one, that
you’re either a history major or someone interested in history; and two, that
you’re interested in American Indians, or Native Americans if you prefer.
That’s good!! So most of you have already had a history class here at the
university and know somewhat how historians think and write. Again, that’s good
and means we can have a fun class.
In this class, you’re going
to learn a lot about American Indians. We’ll cover some on their cultures,
economics, and religions, how the met and interacted with Europeans and later
Americans and Mexicans. We study a part of the histories of these peoples who called
Tests
& Grading: 800 points
Ben
Franklin said there are only two things that are inevitable: death and taxes.
At the university, you can add one more: exams. I know you probably hate exams,
but they are a fact of life here and it will help if you can just wrap your
head around it. Do the work; study for them; follow instructions; and you’ll be
surprised at how well you can do. I don’t believe in tricking students or
giving trick questions. Everything is pretty straight forward. However, I do
want specific information on exams. Avoid generalities and sentences that do
not provide specific details. I really want you to show me what you know and
knowledge is in the details. Feel free to repeat the information that you
learned in class. So don’t be vague. Now, as you’ve probably already figured,
there is a total of 800 points you can earn for this class. That is the top
figure. You can probably earn more as I will offer you the chance to earn up to
15 points of extra credit, but these are earned in 5 point increments and you
usually earn them by going to evening talks and lectures. They are actually fun
to go to and you can even use them as a date night. You’ll be tested on the three books at 100 points a book. More
information on these is given further down on the syllabus. You’ll also have a 100-point essay mid-term exam and a 100-point essay final exam. I always give
you a selection of questions on these, so you can have a choice of which one
you want to answer. There is usually a major essay question – I often give you
two or three and you pick one. There are also three short-answer questions
(about a page each) – I give you four or so and you pick three to answer. For
these exams, you’ll need to bring a “Blue Book” and a blue or black pen. You
can purchase a Blue Book at the campus bookstore. They are very cheap and some
places even give them away. You will research, write and turn in a 200-point 10-15 page research paper
on an Indian topic of your choice, but approved by me. Finally, I also give six (6) 20-point pop quizzes. Don’t ask
when will I give them as they will be a surprise. That’s what makes them “pop.”
Pop Quizzes are multiple-choice – 10 questions at 2 points each. Be careful, as
these cannot be made up. So if you are sick, in jail, at the beach, at a
wedding, at court, or whatever and miss the pop quiz, then that is it, you’ve
missed it. However, I do give you one free one, meaning I will drop your lowest
pop quiz grade, so only 5 of the 6 count for grades. So these add up to 100
points. Use this free Pop Quiz wisely. And don’t blow off these Pop Quizzes!
Miss too many and it can really affect your final grade. So all together, these
exams add up 600 points. If you come to class, do the work, turn it in on time,
and do at least some of the extra credit, you’ll probably do better in this
class than you think.
·
THREE (3), 100-POINT BOOK EXAMS (300 pts)
·
ONE (1), 100-POINT ESSAY MID-TERM (100 pts)
·
ONE (1), 100-POINT ESSAY FINAL (100 pts)
·
ONE (1), 100-POINT 10-15 PAGE RESEARCH PAPER (200 pts)
·
SIX (6) 20-POINT POP QUIZZES (100 pts). LOWEST DROPPED.
CANNOT BE MADE UP
·
UP TO 15 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS AVAILABLE – TO BE ASSIGNED
Book Exams
(100 pts. each = 300 pts.)
Read
the assigned book and then on the given day, go onto Blackboard and post your
response to the questions given. The responses should be between 400 and 700
words, that’s 2 to 3 pages. Again, you have to post this on Blackboard.
Blackboard will quit accepting your exams at 6:15 p.m. on the day that it is
due. If you miss posting, you’ll have to provide me with a hard-copy printed
paper. If you miss the deadline, you are already a day late. Please use the
Book Exam Writing Guide given below.
The Research Paper (200 points)
Each student will write a 10-15 page footnoted research
paper with a Works Cited at the end. The format is what you learned in HST 290,
with correct footnoting, spacing, etc. It should have a good number of both
primary and secondary sources. This will be the major part of your grade. The
research paper will be due Tuesday, April 13. You will lose a letter grade for
every day the paper (or any paper) is late. Below are some possible paper
topics, though I will be glad to hear your own suggestion. Topics must be cleared
by me and chosen by Thursday, January 28.
Papers should have at least 8 primary sources and then another 10 secondary
sources (books & articles).
Possible Paper Topics (Or come up with one on your
own)
(first come, first served) Must be cleared with Dr.
La Vere:
Indians Role in the Lost
Colony
The Coastal Indians Copper
& Shell Trade
Indian Roads and Paths
Spiro Period Artwork
Indian Mounds and their
Meaning
Deer and Indians
The Sweat Lodge
The Plains Indian Headdress
Indian herbs and medicine
Southeastern Indian Women
Indians as slaves in
Plains Indian Women
Indian Burial Rituals
Indians in Spanish Missions
Plains Indian Soldier
Societies
The evolution of Plains
Indian military tactics.
Religious rituals of Plains
warfare?
Suicide and White fears of
Indians.
Mutilation and captivity
among Plains Indians.
Plains Indian warfare
Army and Indian weapons at
the Little Bighorn
What defeated the Indians on
the Plains?
The horse: an Indian weapons
platform
The Totem Pole
Gift-Giving Among Indians
King Phillip’s War
Tuscarora War
Yamassee War
Creek Civil War
It is Easy
to Pass This Class and Even Get an “A”:
Like
I said, there are no tricks in this class. But if you just see this as
something to get through just to get a grade, then it might be more difficult.
But it you see it as something where you can learn something, acquire some
information and skills that will help you once you get out into the work world,
then you’ll do much better. First off, just like how it will be when you
graduate and get a job – you must come
to class and actually show up on time. Missing classes is the quickest way
to earn a bad grade. Much of what will be on the Mid-Term, Final, and Pop
Quizzes come from my lectures, so you want to be here whenever class is going.
Secondly, you actually need to do the
work. Blowing off a book exam or not showing up for the Mid-Term or the
Final is just class suicide. Third, you
must turn in your work on time, when it is due. Late papers lose a letter
grade for every day it is late. And Blackboard will prevent you from turning a
late paper, so that will mean you must turn it in physically to me and that
will mean it will be late and you have then lost a letter grade. You’ll find in
the work world, meeting deadlines is essential. So you might as well learn that
here before it costs you money. Fourth, you
want to be on time to class. Coming in late disrupts the class, especially
since I used PowerPoint in every class. So if you come in late too many times,
I’ll give you letter warning you and if you continue to come in late, you’ll
start losing letter grades on your final grade. Fifth, please take notes in class. Don’t just sit
there and listen. Taking notes and then transcribing them back in your room
will help you remember the information. You are free to use a computer in
class, but actually use it to take notes and not play games or surf the net.
Sixth, let me urge you to participate in
class discussions. You don’t’ have to agree with me and you can argue with
me. I love it. Students who ask questions, offer comments or insights, even
disagree with me in class do much better than if you are a shy, shrinking
violet who never speaks a word. The old adage “The squeaky wheel gets the
grease” works here and in the work world. And if you are shy, this is a good
place to overcome it. Finally, I urge you to come by and visit me in my office to discuss your work and the class.
Especially feel free to come by a few class periods before a book exam is due,
and after you have read the whole book, in order to see if you are on the right
track.
The Big
No-No!
I’m
pretty forgiving about a lot of things, but there are several things that can
easily earn you an “F” for the class. First, PLAGIARISM. That means stealing someone else’s work and not giving
them credit. That means cutting and pasting from the internet and putting it in
your paper. That
means you and your friends getting together, coming
up with a paper and then turning in essentially the same paper. That means
quoting something from another source, but not using quotation marks (and I
don’t allow quotes in the book papers). Please check out the Student Handbook
for a good idea of what plagiarism is. If I catch it, then you and I will have
a meeting and begin the official plagiarism process, which usually means going
to see the Dean of Students. You can easily wind up with an “F” for the class
and possibly expelled from the university. Secondly, NOT TURNING IN YOUR WORK OR CONTINUALLY TURNING IT IN LATE.
Everything gets counted in this class and if you don’t turn in something, then
you get a 0 (zero) for that paper or exam. That can just kill your grade.
Turning in late papers hurts you as well. Meeting the deadline is part of the test.
You will not get the same grade as those who do turn in their paper on time. So
you lose a letter grade for every day your paper is late. It is late a letter
grade the moment the class is over and Blackboard closes the Assignment. Late
papers need to be typed up, signed by the History department secretary with
time & date you turned it in, then put in my mailbox in the History Dept.
DO NOT put papers under my office door. I DO NOT accept emailed papers.
Absences, Syllabus,
Final Exams, Cell Phones, & Computers
Absences. You are adults. As adults,
you know whether you need to be in class or not. I’m not going to chase you
down. You are either here or you’re not. If you are absent, it is up to you to
get the work you missed from one of your classmates. Do not ask me for it. I
won’t ask you for an absence excuse except in two instances: the mid-term and
final. If you miss the mid-term or final, then you must bring an excused
absence note on official doctor, health office, lawyer, or whatever letterhead.
If you can’t produce one, then you will get a 0 (zero) for that exam. See the
Student Handbook on Excused Absences.
Final Exam. The final exam goes on the
day and time set by the university: Tuesday, May 4, 3-6 p.m. (this classroom). Please be sure you know
when that is. Do not make plane reservations or any other plans that will cause
you to miss the final exam. I can’t give early exams or later exams, so don’t
ask.
Cell Phones. I know, everybody has a
cell phone. But for this class, turn them off when you come in the door or set
them to vibrate. All cell phones must be put away in your pocket, satchel, or
backpack. Do not pull them out in class or have them on your desk. If you need
to know the time, ask me. If your cell phone rings in class, you must stop it
and then I will ask you to sing your ringtone.
Computers. You may use a computer in
this class, but only for taking notes. If I catch you playing games, searching
the net, watching porn, or whatever, you risk being expelled from the class.
Syllabus. This syllabus is subject to
change.
Skills You Should Master By End of Class:
Frame a historical question.
Identify a broad range of
sources.
Research, evaluate, and
analyze both primary and secondary sources.
Write clearly and
effectively.
Develop an argument and
interpretation based on evidence.
Understand relevant
historical facts and context.
Express ideas and arguments
in writing and in class participation.
Be able to read a monograph
and then write a review on it.
Be able to competently use a
computer for writing and research purposes
The Book Papers
On the designated day and by the designated time, you
will turn in your 400-700 (2-3 page) book exam via Blackboard. The ability to
turn in papers via Blackboard will cutoff at 4:45 p.m. on the day the papers
are due. If you miss that, then your paper is late and you have already lost a
letter grade. If you are late, then you must then turn in the paper physically
(not emailed), but printed up and put in my History department mailbox. You
will continue to lose a letter grade for every day the paper is late after
that.
Please follow the above Writing Guide for your papers.
There is a definite format for your paper. NO COVER PAGES. Below is how it
should look:
Your Name
HST 201-007
Date
Dr. David La Vere
Karen Ordahl Kupperman,
[Briefly re-state the question and then begin to answer
the questions here. . . . Double space from this point on.]
Michael
Leroy Oberg, The Head in Edward Nugent’s
Hand: Roanoke’s Forgotten Indians
Due: Thurs, Feb 4, at 5 p.m. (cut-off is 6:15 p.m.)
“According
to Oberg, how did the Roanoke Indians and the English have a clash of cultures
and why were the
Theda Perdue, Cherokee
Women: Gender & Culture Change, 1700-1835
Due: Thurs, Feb 25, at 5
p.m. (cut-off is 6:15 p.m.)
“According to Perdue, what was the role of Cherokee women
prior to the coming of the Europeans/Americans and how did the role and culture
of Cherokee women change as the
Frederick Turner, editor. Geronimo: His Own Story
Due: Thurs, Apr 8, at 5 p.m.
(cut-off is 6:15 p.m.)
Here is Geronimo’s chance to tell his side of
the story. From reading his autobiography, what does Geronimo think is
important for his readers to know? What does he leave out that you think the
reader ought to know? Why do you think Geronimo was such a polarizing figure in
Apache society? If you had one question to ask Geronimo, what would it be?”
WRITING GUIDE FOR CLASS 400-600 WORD
PAPERS
Please follow these instructions
when writing for this class. Not doing so will lower your grade.
Appearance. Typed, doubled-spaced, with a 1" margin all around. The
size and style of type should basically be the same as this syllabus. Type your
name, class, and date on the top left hand first page in single-space. Double
space down and type the author’s name, book title and publishing info. This
will serve as your paper title. Double space again and then start your
endeavor. Be sure to use Blackboard to submit your papers.
Type style. 12 point Courier New or 14 point Times New Roman.
Spacing. Single space your name, class, date
and book info, but double space the body of your paper. Do not quadruple
between paragraphs. The first line of a paragraph should be indented five
spaces. Use indented paragraphs.
Titles. Give me the title, author, and publication info – city,
state, press, & year. Book titles are always italicized. Example:
Gary C. Anderson, Little Crow: Spokesman for the Sioux.
No long Introduction
or Conclusion. You
don’t have much space in a 400-700 word paper. So get to the point. Your first
paragraph should start answering the question. No need for a big wrap-up
paragraph. You’ve already told me everything in the paper itself. You don’t
have space.
Write in compete
sentences and other instructions. You should have a
basic knowledge of grammar, syntax, and spelling. Use a dictionary, your computer's spell
checker, or go to the
Never use “I,” “You,”
“We,” or other personal pronouns.
No Quotes. Use your own words. I’m serious on this. Quotes will result
in a lower grade.
Tenses and voice.
This is history, it happened in the past, so use the past tense. When you write, avoid the
passive voice – which is different than the past tense. Write in the active voice. “He was
asking” = passive voice; “He asked” = active voice.
Avoid late papers.
You lose a letter grade for each day after the deadline. If you are late and you can’t find me, then
you must get a History Department secretary to initial your paper, put the time
and date on it, and then put the late paper in my mail box in the back hallway
of the History Dept. Not under my door! No emails.
Read your paper out loud before turning it in. It’ll make your paper better.
Length. 400-700 words (2-3 pages), double-spaced. You need to learn to edit
your papers and write to a certain length.
GUIDE FOR FOOTNOTE & BIBLIOGRAPHY
CITATIONS
FOOTNOTES
Book (first time cited):
David La Vere, Contrary Neighbors: Southern Plains and
Removed Indians in Indian Territory (
(after first citation):
La Vere, Contrary Neighbors, 34
Article in journal (first citation):
Christopher S. Peebles and
Susan M. Kus, “Some Archaeological Correlates of Ranked Societies.” American Antiquity 42 (July 1977): 422.
Article in journal (after first citation):
Peebles and Kus, “Some
Archaeological Correlates,” 203.
Article in anthology (first citation):
Ann M. Early, “Prehistory of
the Western Interior After 500 B.C.” in Handbook
of North American Indians: Southeast. Volume 14. Edited by William C.
Sturtevant and Raymond D. Fogelson. 20 volumes. (
Article in anthology (after first citation):
Early, “Prehistory,” 14:565
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Book
Journal Article
Peebles, Christopher S. and
Susan M. Kus, “Some Archaeological Correlates of Ranked Societies.” American Antiquity 42 (July 1977): 422-63.
Article in anthology
Early, Ann M. “Prehistory of
the Western Interior After 500 B.C.” in Handbook
of North American Indians: Southeast. Volume 14. Edited by William C.
Sturtevant and Raymond D. Fogelson. 20 volumes.
Edited Book or Anthology
Sturtevant, William C.
Sturtevant and Raymond D. Fogelson, eds. Handbook
of North American Indians: Southeast. Vol. 14.
HST 336 AMERICAN INDIAN HISTORY SCHEDULE
-- SPRING 2010
Thur,
Jan 7 - First day, introduction. Begin
reading.
Tues,
Jan 12 – Origins, Paleo-Indians, Archaic Period
Thur, Jan 14 –
Tues,
Jan 19 – Cultural areas and subsistence
Thur, Jan 21 – Belief
Systems and Ceremony
Tues,
Jan 26 – Social and Political Organization
Thur, Jan 28 – Warfare
RESEARCH
PAPER TOPICS CLEARED WITH DR. LA VERE BY THIS DATE
Tues, Feb 2 – European Contact and
Biological Exchange
Thur, Feb 4 – The Spanish Invasion
PAPERS ON
Tues,
Feb 9 – French, Furs, and Indians
Thur,
Feb 11 – The English Invasion & Colonial Relations
Tues,
Feb 16 – Indian and the Revolution
Thur,
Feb 19 – Indians and the Early Republic
Tues, Feb 23 –
Jeffersonian Ideals and Assimilation
Thur, Feb 25 –
Indian Response to Assimilation
PAPERS ON CHEROKEE
WOMEN DUE
Tues, Mar 2 – Indian
Removal
Thur, Mar 4 – MID-TERM EXAM
Tues, Mar 9 &
Thur, Mar 11 – NO CLASS. SPRING BREAK
Tues, Mar 16 -
Thurs,
Mar 18 – Movie
Tues,
Mar 23 –
Thur,
Mar 25 – Plains Indian Life and Culture
PAPERS ON GERONIMO DUE
Tues, Mar 30 – Movie
Thur, Apr 1 – NO CLASS, EASTER BREAK
Tues,
Apr 6 – Plains Wars
Thur, Apr 8 - Plains
Wars, continued
Tues,
Apr 13 – Reservation Life
RESEARCH PAPERS DUE
Thur, Apr 15 – De-Tribalization
Tues, Apr 20 – Allotment: Taking Indians’ Land
Thur, Apr 22 - Ghost Dancing: Response to Land Allotment
FINAL EXAM – Monday, May 3,
3 – 6 p.m., this classroom