History 171A: American Indian History to 1840 Professor Schneider Fall 2018 M & W 1:30-2:45 Brighton 218 Professor Khal Schneider Email: schneider@csus.edu Office: Tahoe Hall 3085 Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 3-5, and by appointment Course Description: This course will cover the major issues, events, and themes in American Indian History to 1840. We will survey the long history of human societies in North America and interpret Indians responses to European-imposed political, cultural, and economic threats. We will thematically explore how Indian men and women experienced invasion, paying attention to cultural and regional variations, but also coming to some general conclusions about Indian experiences in American history. The course will also pay close attention to the act of writing Indian history through the close interpretation of primary sources and the works of professional historians and by asking students to produce several forms of historical writing. Course Learning Objectives: Students will be able to: - Evaluate and critique historical arguments, specifically those concerning the history of American Indians - Competently discuss and write about important ideas, events, and themes in the history of American Indians - Explain how American Indian history connects to the history of the United States and the world. - Explain the historical developments that continue to shape American Indian societies in the present - Write well-constructed essays with the careful use of evidence Course Texts: The readings listed below are required. 1. HIST 171A Course Reader: Available in Discussions on course Canvas site 1
2. James H. Merrell, Into the American Woods: Negotiators on the Pennsylvania Frontier ISBN: 978-0393319767 (Also on two-hour reserve in the library) Course Graded Components: Discussion Participation: 20 pts. Chapter Essay: 20 pts. Midterm Collaborative Exam: 20 pts. Book Review Essay: 20 pts. Treaty Research Essay: 20 pts. Total: 100 points 93-100: A 90-92: A- 88-89: B+ 83-87: B 80-82: B- 78-79: C+ 73-77: C 70-72: C- 68-69: D+ 60-67: D <60: F Discussion Participation 20 points: Please come to class prepared to discuss the course material and to answer (and ask) questions. Chapter Essay 20 points: 12 points: Preliminary Document Interpretations. Write 4 brief (no more than 100 words each) interpretations of a primary source document in each of the first four chapters of the reader. 4 interpretations x 3 pts each=12 pts. Due dates in the course schedule below. 8 points: Write a 500-word essay, incorporating one of your document interpretations and the secondary reading in a specific reader chapter, that explains an aspect of one of the major conflicts covered in the first four units. (The Pueblo Revolt, The Anglo-Powhatan Wars, The Beaver Wars, King Philip s War). Paper copy due Oct. 17. Midterm Exam 20 points: An in-class exam in which you will respond to questions posted the night before on canvas. A portion of the exam will involve discussion and collaboration with the class. Oct. 24. Book Review Essay 20 points: 3 points: A reverse outline of Merrell s Into the American Woods. Due Oct. 29. 5 points: A brief (250-word) response to Merrell. Due Nov. 7. 12 points: a 750-word review of Into the American Woods. Paper copy due Nov. 14. 2
Treaty Research Essay 20 points: You will pick a treaty to research. https://dc.library.okstate.edu/digital/collection/kapplers/id/25853 5 points: A treaty, a research question, and sources. Due Nov. 28 15 points: A 1,000-word essay on the history of the treaty you selected. Paper copy due to Tahoe 3085 by 3:00 Dec. 12. (Finals week). Course Schedule: Please read the course reader s primary sources by the first meeting and the secondary sources by the last meeting of each unit. Introduction: The Old World Read: Reader, Introduction Aug. 27: This is What the Old Men Told Me: The Problem of the American Past Aug. 29: We Thought We Had It All Figured Out Sept. 3: Labor Day No Class Sept. 5: 1491 One: Ohkay Owingeh (New Mexico to 1700) Read: Reader, Ch. 1 Due Sept. 10: Document Interpretation #1 Sept. 10: Build a Great House: The Problem of Work Sept. 12: Indigenous Americans and Spain Sept. 17: Revolt Two: Werowocomocco (Virginia to 1700) Read: Reader, Ch. 2 Due Sept. 19: Document Interpretation #2 Sept. 19: Think You I Am So Simple? The Problem of Power Sept. 21: The King s Daughter Three: Kahnawake (New France to 1700) Read: Reader, Ch. 3 Due Sept. 26: Document Interpretation #3 Sept. 26: His Body is Hatchets: The Problem of Exchange Oct. 1: Saint Kateri Oct. 3: Pax Iroquoia 3
Four: Pocasset (New England to 1700) Read: Reader, Ch. 4 Due Oct. 8: Document Interpretation #4 Due Oct. 17: Chapter Essay Oct. 8: Being Now Reduced to Great Distress: The Problem of Land Oct. 10: Native New England & the English Invasion Oct. 15: Queen Weetamoo s War DUE OCT. 17: Chapter Essay Five: San Gabriel (The Spanish Borderlands to 1800) Read: Reader, Ch. 5 October 24: Midterm exam Oct. 17: Toribio Was Always Hungry: The Problem of Empire Oct. 22: Native Power Oct. 24: Midterm Exam Six: The Wood s Edge (Pennsylvania to 1763) Read: Read: Reader, Ch. 6 Read: James Merrell, Into the American Woods Due Oct. 29: Reverse Outline of Into the American Woods Due Nov. 7: Response to Into the American Woods Due Nov. 14: Book Review Essay Oct. 29: The Times Are Dangerous: The Problem of Peace Oct. 31: Balance of Power Politics Nov. 5: Land, Kinship, and Gender in the Ohio Valley Nov. 7: Closer Apart Nov. 12: Veteran s Day Observed No Class DUE NOV. 14: Book Review Seven: Prophetstown, Brothertown, and Mashpee (Northeastern America to 1840) Read: Reader, Ch. 7 Nov. 14: For All Men Are Born Free and Equal: The Problem of the United States Nov. 19: Nation Building Nov. 21: No Class Nov. 26: Community 4
Eight: The Cherokee Nation (Georgia & Indian Territory to 1840) Read: Reader, Ch. 8 Due Nov. 28: Introduction and Outline of Treaty Research Essay Due Dec. 12: Treaty Research Essay Nov. 28: Twelve Million Happy People: The Problem of Race Dec. 3: American Law in the Native South Dec. 5: Crossing Over DUE* DEC. 12: Treaty Research Essay *to Tahoe 3085 by 3:00 Additional Advisories: Attendance: Your attendance is expected on all scheduled class days and required on the days of exams and quizzes. Please talk to me (in person) as soon as you can to discuss possible accommodations for unavoidable absences. Accessibility: Please let me know if you require specific learning accommodations. For questions about your rights to accommodations, please contact the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities (SSWD): sswd@csus.edu & (916) 278-6955. SSWD is located in Lassen Hall 1008 and online at http://www.csus.edu/sswd/ Extra Course Help: The University Reading and Writing Center (URWC), Calaveras 128, is a free resource for CSUS students. Trained consultants are available for individual consultation on any and all classwork. The Peer Academic Resource Center (PARC), Lassen 2200, provides workshops on success, writing counselors, and some tutoring. Academic Honesty: Students must abide by the Academic Honesty Policies articulated in the University Policy Manual: http://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/stu-0100.htm There will be severe penalties for cheating, plagiarism, and other instances of academic dishonesty, including a zero grade for assignments or the course in general. Basic Needs & Crisis Help: If you are experiencing challenges with food access, housing, or finances, or if you are in crisis and experiencing unique challenges in the pursuit of your education, Sacramento State has resources available for you. For questions or assistance, please contact Case Manager Danielle Munoz at danielle.munoz@csus.edu or 916-278-6060. More information at https://www.csus.edu/basicneeds/ and https://www.csus.edu/student/casemanager/ 5