Week 1: Reconstruction

by Dr. H - September 3rd, 2014

See the post below this one for the course basics if you are just adding in, or if you missed Day 1. For everyone else, here is what we’re up to this week:

  • Read the syllabus
  • Make sure you can log into the course Blackboard
  • Bookmark this site and check it between each class for any news and updates
  • Read your textbook, Ch 14 “Emancipations and Reconstructions” and watch this short video (transcript is included, below). Understand the multiple meanings for the word “Reconstruction” and consider the discussion questions about this short film clip. Be prepared to talk about Reconstruction and its multiple meanings in class on Friday – bring a 50-word sentence as a starting point for discussion.
  • Use the document you got in class on Wednesday to write a “Pre-SkillBuilder,” seeking a way to connect it with something you find in Chapter 14. Bring the printed paper to class on Friday, or email it to me BEFORE start of class. This is not graded but will give me a chance to see what your baseline skills are in analyzing primary sources and using history’s writing conventions (including footnotes). Guidelines for SkillBuilders are found on page 4 of the syllabus or at the SkillBuilders tab above, and guidelines for correct use of Chicago Style are in the left sidebar links. Your document may have very little bibliographic information, but just do your best with citing it given what you have.
  • If you missed the first class but would like to submit the paper on Friday anyway, use one of the documents in Chapter 14 of the textbook.
  • It you don’t have your copy of the book yet, I have placed one copy of the textbook on reserve at the library, you can check it out for 2 hours at a time.

Transcript of the video’s narration

Discussion Questions to Consider:
What words are used to describe Reconstruction?
What are the main elements of Reconstruction?
In this clip, who is primarily responsible for Reconstruction?
When did Reconstruction begin and end?
What did Reconstruction accomplish, according to this clip?
What did it NOT accomplish, according to this clip?
Summarize the clip’s interpretation of Reconstruction in a sentence.
Does this square with your understanding of Reconstruction, based on your reading?
Where might historians disagree?

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