Aims of the course
1. Introduce you to a deeper understanding of American history.
2. Provide a greater insight into the way in which white America expanded during the 19th century.
3. Provide an overview of Native American history from the 19th century.
Content
The course begins in 1830. This date has been chosen as it marks the time when white Americas attitude towards Native Americans changed. Prior to this date a policy of ‘Civilization’ aimed to bring Native people into white society. However this policy, as flawed as it was, was jettisoned for the policy of ‘Removal’ – the forced relocation of native people who stood in the way of white America’s expansion. During this time numerous native nations were forcibly relocated away from their ancestral location westward. The most well-known of these removals, the Cherokee Trail of Tears, will be our area of focus at the beginning of the course.
We then move forward chronologically to the period of the Civil War to consider the impact of this conflict on Native Americans and the often-unknown roles they played within the war. We will then examine another policy directed at, and imposed upon, Native Americans by white America: the Reservation system. We will examine the resistance by Native people to this act and the way in which once again white America aimed to deprive Native people of their land base. Finally we will examine the impact of one further US Policy, ‘Termination’, which sought to not only take land, but also to deprive Native Americans of their identity as Native people.
Presentation of the course
The course will provide a PPT presentation and lecture to offer context for the topic of the day. This presentation will contact video clips and audio. In addition to this, you are encouraged to ask question both during the lecture and during the discussion phase of the session. A reading list for each topic will be provided for those of you who wish to pursue the topics further.
Class sessions
1. Removal: This is the policy which forcibly removed Native people from their homelands.
2. Civil War: The role of Native Americans in the American Civil War.
3. Reservation: The development and implementation of the Reservation system.
4. Resistance and conflict: The resistance to white Americas actions, often known as the ‘Indian Wars’.
5. Termination: The policy which attempted to, and in part succeeded in, stripping Native people of their identity as Native Americans.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes for this course are:
1. To introduce you to the history or Native Americans during the 19th century.
2. To introduce you to the complex, and often painful, interaction between white American and Native Americas.
3. To give you a deeper knowledge of American History
Required reading
There is no required reading for this course.
Typical week: Monday to Friday
Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students.
Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.
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c.7.30am-9.00am
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Breakfast in College (for residents)
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9.00am-10.30am
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Am Course
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11.00am-12.15pm
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Plenary Lecture
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12.15pm-1.30pm
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Lunch
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1.30pm-3.00pm
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Pm Course
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3.30pm-4.45pm
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Plenary Lecture/Free
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6.00pm/6.15pm-7.15pm
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Dinner in College (for residents)
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7.30pm onwards
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Evening talk/Event/Free
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Evaluation and Academic Credit
If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.
Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.
For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.
Certificate of attendance
A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.
