History: US Civil War - Global Context (A)

About HST 2685 A

Topics examining the diplomatic history of the United States and/or its colonial antecedents, usually with an emphasis on law. Representative topics: Treaties and International Law; US Civil War in Global Context. May be repeated for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Prerequisite: Three hours of History.

Notes

Prerequisite: three hours History; Pace students by permission and override

Section Description

The US Civil War was a product of the country’s long engagement in international politics and participation in global networks of trade and migration, and the specific ways in which the war was fought and the Union’s eventual victory dramatically altered those politics and networks. In this course, we will examine the causes, conduct, and consequences of the war in broad geographic and temporal contexts, paying particular attention to how the war altered legal structures within the US, in other countries, and internationally. Topics include the laws of war and neutrality; citizenship, naturalization, and migration; relations with Native Americans; finance, trade, and property rights; Anglo-American relations, including controversies over the imperial status of Canada and Ireland; and Union and Confederate influence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This is a lecture-based course, supplemented by secondary source readings, including journal articles and two books, with the option of reading a third for extra credit. Regular attendance is crucial. In-person attendance is strongly preferred, but attendance on Teams as needed is an option; Teams attendance earns fewer points. Note taking is also crucial, and taking notes by hand is strongly preferred. There will be a steady stream of short objective activities done outside of class on Brightspace to review and reinforce lecture material and demonstrate reading comprehension. There will be an in-person, comprehensive final exam during exam week, and a detailed study guide for the exam will be circulated in advance.
The course aims to cultivate your personal knowledge and intellectual skills; the use of generative AI is an academic integrity violation in this context, and the professor does not use generative AI to create or otherwise inform course materials.
The course carries the AH3: Humanities designation for Catamount Core. It counts as a US history course in the Americas concentration for the History major and minor. It also counts as an elective for the Law & Society minor.

Important Dates

Courses may be cancelled due to low enrollment. Show your interest by enrolling.

Resources

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