Course Syllabus – Spring 2014
The Nineteenth Century
The College at Southwestern
HIS 3203-B W/F 11:30-12:45 p.m. Room S12
Instructor: Kevin Stilley
Office Hours: By Appointment
(I keep office hours a few blocks from the college at Stadium Drive Baptist Church: 4717 Stadium Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76133, or I can meet you in the Student Center by appointment)
Email: kstilley@swbts.edu
Website: http://kevinstilley.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kevinstilley
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kevin.stilley
Catalog Description
A study of the history and philosophy of western civilization of the Nineteenth Century.
Course Objectives
- To gain knowledge of the main events, ideas and persons that shaped western civilization during the Nineteenth Century.
- To develop the skill of applying history to contemporary ideas and issues
- Appreciation of God’s providence in the overall pattern of history.
Required Texts
- Churches Revolutions & Empires: 1789-1914, by Ian Shaw
- The Men Who United the States: America’s Explorers, Inventors, Eccentrics, and Mavericks, and the Creation of One Nation, Indivisible, by Simon Winchester
- American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America, by Steve Wilkins
- When I Was a Slave: Memoirs from the Slave Narrative Collection, edited by Norman Yetman
- Selected Stories from the 19th Century, collected by David Stuart Davies
(Please bring a Bible to class with you.)
Assignments
Grades will be determined based upon completion of two exams, an authorial summary and analysis, a student presentation and class participation.
- Examination #1 (30%): This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam. Mac users, I encourage you to NOT use the Safari web browser when taking this test or navigating the Blackboard interface.
- Final Exam: (30%): The date and time for the final exam may not coincide with normal class days and times. You must make yourself available to take the final exam at the scheduled time during finals week. No alternative times or venues for the exam will be offered.
- Authorial Summary & Analysis (15%): Select one of the short stories from Selected Stories from the 19th Century, collected by David Stuart Davies. Prepare a three-page report. A one page biographical summary of the author should be followed by a two-page historical analysis of the work read. How did this piece illustrate 19th century values? Did the characters face challenges that were unique to the 19th century? How might the plot differ if set in a different time period? How does this story compare to other works from the same author? How does the story compare with the work of other authors from the same time period?
- Student Presentation (15%): Each student will select one person from The Men Who United the States and make a ten-minute presentation to the class explaining how he or she influenced the developing nation during the nineteenth century. Your presentation should be organized with the goal of convincing your listeners that the contributions of this individual were significant. The material found in The Men Who United the States is your starting place, but additional research will be necessary. Creativity is greatly appreciated.
- Participation (15%): All students are expected to attend class, be punctual, and participate appropriately in classroom discussion. To engage in classroom discussion of the assigned reading it is imperative that all reading assignments be conducted in a timely fashion.
- Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of all class sessions. Absences or tardiness will adversely affect your grade. Absences in excess of six will result in an automatic failure of the class.
- Students are free to record the class.
- Guests are welcome, but please notify the instructor in advance.
- Laptops, iPhones, and similar devices may NOT be used during class as their usefulness is far outweighed by their ability to create a distraction and contribute to the cultural habit of inattentiveness.
- If you become drowsy you may stand at the back or the side of the room until you can resume your seat without falling asleep.
- Bonus points: Explore the Amon Carter Museum (free admission) and write a thoughtful essay on the 19th Century art in their collection.
Grades
Grades will be determined by the following scale: 100-98 (A+); 97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-); 89-88(B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78 (C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68 (D+); 67-63 (D); 62-60 (D-); Below 60 = F.
Blackboard
Blackboard and SWBTS student email will be used for class communications. Students should check both Blackboard and student email daily for possible communications from the instructor.
Tentative Schedule
| HIS 3203 | Topic | Assignment Due Today |
| January 24 | Introduction to Course -Discussion of Syllabus | Please print out and bring your syllabus to this class session. |
| January 29 | Legacy of the American Revolution (America at the beginning of the 19th century) | Read: Shaw chapter 1 |
| January 31 | Legacy of the French Revolution (Europe at the beginning of the 19th century) | Read: Shaw chapter 2 |
| February 5 | Industrial Revolution, Urbanization, & Immigration | Read: Shaw chapter 3 |
| February 7 | A Maturing Republic | Read: Woodard, chapters 10, 11, & 12 |
| February 12 | The Lone Star Republic and Western Expansion | Read: Woodard, chapters 19, 20 |
| February 14 | A Divided Nation | Read: Woodard, chapter 21 |
| February 19 | North Atlantic Slavery | Read: Shaw, chapter 5 |
| February 21 | War Between the States | Read: Selections from When I Was a Slave |
| February 26 | War Between the StatesWill the Real Abraham Lincoln Please Stand Up | Read: Shaw, chapter 11 |
| February 28 | Women in the 19th Century | Read: Woodard, chapter 24 |
| March 5 | Roads & Railroads | Read: Winchester, pages 240-280 |
| March 7 | Test #1 | Test #1 |
| March 12 | Spring Break | Spring Break |
| March 14 | Spring Break | Spring Break |
| March 19 | Urbanization & The Gilded Age | Read: Shaw chapter 14 |
| March 21 | Revivalism & Social Reform | Read: Shaw chapter 7 |
| March 26 | Karl Marx and Dialectical Materialism | Read: Shaw chapter 8 |
| March 28 | Science, Scientism, and Sciency Things | Shaw Chapter 10 |
| April 2 | Classic 19th Century Liberalism | Read: Shaw chapter 6 |
| April 4 | 19th Century Philosophy: Rebellion Against Rationality, Positivism, Pragmatism, and Utilitarianism | |
| April 9 | Around the World in 80 Days Minutes (less 5) | Read: Shaw, chapter 12 |
| April 11 | The Ottoman Empire [video) | Due Today: Written report on a nineteenth century author and historical analysis of a short story from Selected Stories from the 19th Century. To receive full credit it must be date and time-stamped by Turnitin prior to the time class begins. In addition, bring a paper copy to class if you want feedback on your work. |
| April 16 | Mission in the Age of Imperialism | Read: Shaw, chapter 13 |
| April 18 | Good Friday – No Classes | |
| April 23 | New Religious Movements: Mormonism, Adventism, New England Transcendentalism, etc | Read: Shaw chapter 15 |
| April 25 | Art & Culture in the 19th Century | |
| April 30 | Epilogue on a Century of Thought & Action | Read: Shaw chapter 16 |
| Final Examination | Final Examination In Class |
“When a man is busy at study, the Evil Impulse whispers to him: Why tarryest thou here. Go and join the men who flirt with pretty women.” – Talmud, Zohar, ii, 265b
