The Formation of the North American State

Fall 2012 quarter

Faculty

Jeanne Hahn political economy, political science

Fields of Study

history, international studies and political science

Preparatory for studies or careers in

history, political economy, political science, secondary education, graduate school and informed citizenship.

Description

This program will examine the movement of the North American colonies in their separation from Britain to the emergence of the United States through the election of 1800. It will investigate the conflict; the social, racial and class divisions; and the distinctly different visions of the proper social, economic and political system that should predominate in the new nation.  Much conflict surrounded the separation of the settler colonies from Britain, including a transatlantic revolutionary movement, development of slave-based plantations and the birth of capitalism. Capitalism was not a foregone conclusion. We will study this process and pay close attention to the Articles of Confederation and the framing of the Constitution; in addition, we will investigate the federalist and anti-federalist debates surrounding the new framework, its ratification, and the political-economic relations accompanying the move from one governing structure to the other. This program will require close and careful reading, engaged seminar participation, and considered, well-grounded writing.

Location

Olympia

Online Learning

No Required Online Learning

Books

Greener Store

Offered During

Day