Master of Arts Programs for History Teachers
Summer 2023 - Online
Session 1 – May 8 to June 1
| HIST 510 O1B / POLSC 510 O1B: Great American Texts – Frederick Douglass (2) – CLOSED “You have seen how a man was made a slave,” Frederick Douglass tells readers at a pivotal moment in his first autobiography; “you shall see how a slave was made a man.” Long considered masterpieces of American literature, Douglass’s autobiographies also rank among the great works of American political thought. Embedded in Douglass’s several tellings of his singular life story are profound reflections on the nature and specific evil of slavery; the nature, natural foundations, and enabling conditions of human rights and human liberty; and the distinctive meaning and mission of the American Republic. In this course, we undertake an intensive reading of Douglass’s three autobiographies, to the end of elucidating his career-long endeavor to instruct his fellow citizens on the first principles of political philosophy and American political thought. Instructor: Peter C. Myers (University of Wisconsin Eau Claire) Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
| HIST 632 O1A / POLSC 632 O1A: The American Presidency I – Washington to Lincoln (2) – CLOSED This course examines the evolution of the American presidency from the drafting of the Constitution through the Civil War. The language in Article II of the Constitution, which “vests” the executive power in a President of the United States, is somewhat ambiguous as to the scope and breadth of that power. The presidents who served from Washington through Lincoln removed some of this ambiguity and set many precedents, which are followed to this day. This course focuses on the nation’s early presidents – how they molded the office and influenced the American political order. Instructor: Abbylin H. Sellers (Azusa Pacific University) Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:15 pm to 10:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
Session 2 – June 5 to June 29
| HIST 506 O2B / POLSC 506 O2B: The Rise of Modern America, 1914-1945 (2) With the exception of the Civil War era, it is difficult to find another thirty-year period in U.S. history during which the nation underwent such dramatic change. In 1914 the United States was no more than a regional power, with a primarily rural demography and a relatively unobtrusive federal government. Thanks to the experience of two world wars, a major cultural conflict (the 1920s), and a disastrous economic crisis the country was transformed into the global economic and military power that it remains to this day. This course will examine the cultural, economic, military, and diplomatic events and trends of the period 1914-1945. Instructor: Brent Aucoin (The College at Southeastern) Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
Session 3 – June 5 to June 15
| HIST 503 O3B / POLSC 503 O3B: Sectionalism and Civil War (2) A study of the sectional conflict beginning with the nullification crisis. The course will not only examine the political, social and economic developments in the period leading to the civil war, but will emphasize the political thought of Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Douglas, and John C. Calhoun. Instructor: Matt Norman (University of Cincinnati) Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus |
| HIST 604 O3A / POLSC 604 O3A: The Early Republic (2) Having adopted the Constitution, Americans had to make it work. This course examines their efforts to do so, as the Republic took shape amidst foreign dangers, political conflict, westward expansion, and social as well as cultural change. Instructor: Rob McDonald (U.S. Military Academy, West Point) Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 7:15 pm to 10:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
Session 4 – June 19 to June 29
| HIST 642 O4A / POLSC 642 O4A: Political Parties (2) – WAITLIST This course focuses on the study of the origin, development and contemporary practices of political parties and their role in modern elections in the constitutional system of the United States. Instructor: Eric C. Sands (Berry College) & Verlan Lewis (Utah Valley University) Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
| HIST 502 O4B / POLSC 502 O4B: The American Founding (2) This course is an intensive study of the constitutional convention, the struggle over ratification of the Constitution, and the creation of the Bill of Rights. It will include a close examination of Federalist and Antifederalist writings. Instructor: David Alvis (Wofford College) Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 7:15 pm to 10:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus |
Session 5 – July 3 to July 13
| HIST 501 O5B / POLSC 501 O5B: The American Revolution (2) This course is an intensive study of the principles of the American Founding and the documents that embody them, especially the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. These principles will be illuminated through a close study of the constitutional convention, the struggle over ratification of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and important constitutional controversies that have arisen in American history. Instructor: Adam Seagrave (Arizona State University) Schedule: July 3-7: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET; July 10-13: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
| HIST 644 O5A / POLSC 644 O5A: Congress (2) This course focuses on the legislative branch of the US government. It examines topics such as the constitutional powers of Congress, the relations between Congress and the other branches of the federal government, and the changing structure and internal politics of Congress. Instructor: Andrew E. Busch (Claremont McKenna College) Schedule: July 3-7: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 8:15 pm to 11:30 pm ET; July 10-13: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:15 pm to 11:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
Session 6 – July 17 to July 27
| HIST 660 O6B / POLSC 660 O6B: American Immigration History (2) – WAITLIST When it comes to immigration, everyone knows about the Emma Lazarus poem that goes: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” This course will give students an in-depth view of American immigration over the past two centuries. We will examine the stories of immigrants, their motivations for coming to America, and where they worked and lived when they arrived here. We will also learn about how native-born Americans reacted to those newcomers, as well as the many immigration laws passed by Congress over the years and how the government has processed immigrants over time. Lastly, we will examine how notions of citizenship and assimilation have changed over time. Instructor: Vincent Cannato (University of Massachusetts Boston) Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 6:15 pm to 9:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
Session 7 – July 31 to August 10
| HIST 507 O7B / POLSC 507 O7B: Lincoln (2) This course provides an in-depth study of Abraham Lincoln’s political thought and action. Students will study Lincoln’s most important speeches, as well as study various aspects of his political leadership, including his role as the leader of the Republican party and as commander in chief. The course will also provide opportunities for students to analyze Lincoln’s rhetoric and political argumentation. Instructor: Matthew Norman (University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash) Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 7:30 pm to 10:45 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus |
| HIST 505 O7B / POLSC 505 O7B: The Progressive Era (2) The transition to an industrial economy posed many problems for the United States. This course examines those problems and the responses to them that came to be known as progressivism. The course includes the study of World War I as a manifestation of progressive principles. The course emphasizes the political thought of Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and their political expression of progressive principles. Instructor: William Atto (University of Dallas) Schedule: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 8:15 pm to 11:30 pm ET Course Materials: Syllabus & Course Pack |
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