U.S. Constitution: Origins & Impact

Department of History BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

History W395/W586 Summer 1994

U.S. CONSTITUTION: ORIGINS & IMPACT

Instructors:

        Dr. David Skaggs 372-8767--Coordinator/History                          
        Dr. Steven Ludd 372-7416--Political Science                             
        Mr John Quinn   352-1833--Teacher/Facilitator--BGHS

SCHEDULE

Monday, June 27

A.M. Introduction/Historiography Drs. Skaggs/Ludd

P.M. Colonial & Revolutionary Traditions Dr. Skaggs

Required Readings:

        Ralph Ketchem, ed., The Anti-Federalist Papers (1986): pp. 1-10         
                (Note--Articles & Final Constitution: pp. 357-385)              
        Catherine Bowen, Miracle at Philadelphia (1966): Chaps. 1, 3, 4         
        Robert Rutland, Birth of the Bill of Rights (1962): Chaps. 1, 2, 3      
        Handout--State Constitutions: Maryland, Massachusetts, New York,        
            Pennsylvania, Virginia--also read Articles of Confederation in      
            Ketcham, ed., Anti-Federalist: pp..357-364.                         
Optional Reading:                                                               
        Richard B. Morris, The Forging of the Union, 1781-1789 (1987): Chaps 4-5

Tuesday, June 28

        A.M.            Discussion of Readings                  Dr.  Skaggs     
                        State Constitutions & Articles          Mr. Quinn       
        P.M.            Nationalists vs. Confederationists      Dr.  Skaggs

Required Readings:

        Peter Onuf, "Reflections on the Founding: Constitutional Historiography 
               in Bicentennial Perspective," William and Mary Quarterly, 3rd    
               ser., 46 (April  1989): 341-375.  Handout.                       
        Ketchem, ed., Anti-Federalist: pp. 10-12, 33-41, 62-86, 92-109, 160-165 
        Bowen, Miracle: Chaps. 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 26                            
        Federalist #10                                                          
Optional Reading:                                                               
        Morris, Forging: Chap. 10

Wednesday, June 29

        A.M.            The Compromises                 Dr. Skaggs              
                        Discussion of Readings          Dr. Skaggs              
        P.M.            Teaching the Convention         Mr. Quinn               
Required Readings:                                                              
        Ketchem, ed., Anti-Federalist: pp. 12-20, 176-198, 293-309.             
        Bowen, Miracle: Chaps. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25                               
        Rutland, Birth  Chap. 7                                                 
        Federalist #51                                                          
Optional Reading:                                                               
        Morris, Forging: Chap. 11

Thursday, June 30

        A.M.            Bill of Rights                          Drs. Skaggs/Ludd
                        Discussion of Readings                  Drs. Skaggs     
                                                                                
        P.M.            Ratification                            Dr. Skaggs      
                        Teaching Bill of Rights                 Mr. Quinn

Required Readings:

        Ketchem, ed., Anti-Federalist: pp. 217-227                              
        Rutland, Birth: Chaps. 9, 10                                            
        Federalist #14, #37, #39, #45, #49, #78, #84                            
Optional Reading:                                                               
        Morris, Forging: Chap. 12

Friday, July 1

        A.M.            Legacies                                Dr.  Ludd       
                        Discussion of Readings                  Dr. Skaggs      
                                                                                
        P.M.            Luncheon--Kauffman's at Lodge           Dr. Skaggs      
                        Evaluation of Workshop

REQUIREMENTS

ATTENDANCE: Daily attendance is required; excuses must be with consent of the coordinator

WRITING: One of the following is expected of all students.

Teachers and social studies education students may develop a course syllabus or unit outline on constitutional issues for history class at your grade level. This should include the course description, format, reading assignments, major topics, outlines of lectures, classroom discussion topics, audio-visual support, bibliography, essay and/or objective questions.
A comparative essay of your readings for this course in approximately 2,000 to 3,000 words. You should cite various readings and indicate how they helped you to better understand the general subject of the origins of the federal constitution. Dr. Skaggs has a handout on "How to Write a Book Review Essay" to assist those utilizing this option. Ask him for it.
All writing exercises are due to Professor David Skaggs by August 1.

GRADING:        50% of course grade will be based on oral class contributions   
                50% of course grade will be based on written effort

Information provider:
Unit: H-Net program at UIC History Department Email: H-Net@uicvm.uic.edu
Posted: 5 Aug 1994