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Dr. Charles Ford
Office Hours: MWF, 9-10:30 a.m.; M, 3-4 p.m.; F, 3-3:30 p.m.; T, 9:30-11 a.m.;
R, 9:30-10 a.m.
Office: C-154, BMH
E-Mail: chford7@mail.com
Fax: (757) 823-2512
Phone: (757) 823-8865; 823-8828
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course traces the development of slavery in the
Atlantic Basin from its western African/Islamic/European origins through the
dreaded "Middle Passage" to the Caribbean, Latin America, and the
colonial antebellum South.
(3 semester hours.) Prerequisite: Junior or Senior classification.
REQUIRED READINGS (TEXTS TO BUY): The following books are required and are on sale in the University bookstore:
Kolchin, Peter. American Slavery, 1619-1877. New York: Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, 1993.
Northrup, David, ed., The Atlantic Slave Trade. New York: D.C. Heath & Co., 1994.
Thornton, John. Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World, 1400-1680. Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
REQUIRED READINGS (HANDOUTS IN CLASS)- In addition to the required texts, students will read excerpts from recent articles and books passed out in class (free of charge). Most important of these mandatory readings include excerpts from:
Curtin, Philip D. The Rise and Fall of the Plantation Complex: Essays in Atlantic History. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990.
Davis, David Brion. The Problem of Slavery in Western Culture. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1966.
Kolchin, Peter. Unfree Labor: American Slavery and Russian Serfdom. Cambridge University Press, 1987.
Miller, Joseph Calder. Way of Death: Merchant Capitalism and the Angolan Slave Trade, 1730-1830. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 1988.
Mullin, Michael. Africa in America: Slave Acculturation and Resistance in the American South and the British Caribbean, 1736-1831. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1992.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To improve analytical and writing skills through formal critiques of secondary
sources which will improve style, grammar, and general linguistic competence.
2. To become familiar with the various methods and approaches of history,
especially as it relates to slavery in the Atlantic basin.
3. To develop proficiency in the use of the library and of electronic sources
and to develop basic skills in collecting, classifying, and organizing evidence.
4. To learn what is involved in the preparation and writing of a professional
research paper based on both primary and secondary sources.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION - Since class attendance and participation
are important in the learning process, excessive (excused and/or unexcused)
absences may result, at the instructor's discretion, in grade reduction or
even a failing grade. Determination of absences will be based on regular class
meetings as scheduled by the Registrar and the Vice President for Academic
Affairs. Attendance for the entire class period is expected unless prior arrangements
have been made with the instructor. Students are responsible for becoming
familiar with the rules of attendance and the standards of academic and personal
conduct as set forth in the University Catalog and Student Handbook. These
rules state that if a student misses more than 20% of class, then the student
may receive a failing grade for that class. More specifically, for this afternoon
class, History 448(01), this means that if you miss ten or more meetings,
then you will automatically receive a failing grade for the course, regardless
of your performance on papers and tests. On the other hand, informed participation
in class (asking good questions, answering the lecturer's questions) will
enhance your final grade.
2. ASSIGNMENTS - Topics, weekly assignments, and paper deadlines are listed
on the last two pages of your syllabus. Follow that schedule. A weekly reading
assignment (including handouts of excerpts) should be completed before the
first lecture in which the class will discuss that reading assignment. In
addition, two short papers are assigned. The first short paper (typed, double-spaced,
3-5 pages in length) will answer assigned questions about excerpts from primary
source documents published in the Northrup anthology. The second short paper
(typed, double-spaced, 3-5 pages in length) will be a critical book review
of a reputable and relevant historical work. The student will select the book
from his/her research project's bibliography. The student must get approval
of his/her selection from the instructor prior to writing this critical review.
Specific directions for writing this review will be given out in class at
least two weeks before this assignment is due.
3. RESEARCH PAPER - Finally, a research paper on some aspect of slavery in
the Atlantic basin is required. This paper, 15-20 typed pages in length, is
designed as an exercise in historical research, not a review of textbooks
and secondary monographs. In preparing it, the student should draw upon information
obtained from their assigned readings and class notes, and from at least seven
outside secondary sources and at least four primary sources. This research
project will include the following:
a.) Topic for Research. This is a one-paged typed statement which discusses
the topic selected, along with an introduction and tentative thesis. It will
be due on Wednesday, 6 February.
b.) Prospectus and Working Bibliography. This is a 3-4 paged, typed prospectus
which includes a description of the project, a discussion of potential arguments,
and an explanation of how one expects the sources that they have selected
to assist them in developing such arguments. It also includes a working outline
of the paper and a tentative bibliography listing the primary and secondary
sources. It will be due on Friday, 29 March.
c.) First Draft and Final Draft of Paper. Care should be taken by students
to complete the first and final drafts. The first draft is due on Monday,
22 April. The final draft is due on Wednesday, 1 May. The final draft is the
polished version of the research paper. Each paper is due at the beginning
of class (2:00 p.m.). If the paper is late, appropriate penalties will accrue.
d.) Oral Presentation. Each student must deliver a twenty minute oral presentation
based upon their research. The presentation will be followed by a brief question
and answer period during which others in the class may comment on the research
paper. These presentations will be given in class during the week of 22 April
2000.
RESEARCH PAPER EXPECTATIONS - A successful research paper will require organization, careful thought, and a proper use of English grammar and composition. Use formal English only. Do not use first person, slang, and/or contractions. Reference works such as E. B. White's The Elements of Style should be consulted if there are any questions about punctuation, grammar, or composition. Consult a dictionary for appropriate spelling and usage. Furthermore, in this historical research paper, every direct quotation and paraphrase must be acknowledged with a properly footnoted citation. Do not use more than ten direct quotations; do not quote more than three sentences at a time. Consult Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations for the accepted historical style. Above all, remember that this is a research paper, not a string of book reviews or a listing of unrelated trivia. Search for a central theme and present it as clearly as possible.
TESTS - This course offers six essay examinations. These exams will be administered on 4 February, 18 February, 6 March, 8 March, 1 April, and 9 May. The midterms (given on 8 & 10 March) and the final (given on 9 May at 1:00 p.m. in BMH, C-101) will consist of essay questions and will emphasize material covered since the last examination. For graduating seniors, the final exam will be administered during my office hours on Tuesday, 23 April. These essay exams may include short response, identification, and/or document analysis sections. For all examinations, please bring one or two blank, "blue" books from the University bookstore as well as a blue or black pen.
MAKE-UP EXAMS - Make-up exams will be given only at the instructor's discretion. Any situation clearly beyond a student's control which causes or will cause him/her to miss an exam or other assignment should be reported to the instructor at the earliest possible time.
INCOMPLETE GRADES - Incomplete final grades for the course are given only when the student has completed at least four of the six tests and has completed at least the two shorter papers by the relevant final examination date (23 April for graduating seniors; 8 May for everyone else). Yet even if the student has completed these minimum expectations, incomplete final grades for the course are given only at the instructor's discretion and because of critical circumstances. It is expected that all work be completed as assigned.
GRADING - I grade according to the following formula:
The two short papers will count as twenty percent of your final grade.
The three regular exams will count as ten percent of your final grade.
The two midterms will count as ten percent of your final grade.
The final examination will count as fifteen percent of your final grade.
The research paper will count as thirty percent of your final grade.
Class participation will count as five percent of your final grade.
GRADING SCALE -
A = Exceptional (95-100)
A- = Excellent (90-94)
B+ = Superior (87-89)
B = Very Good (84-86)
B- = Good (80-83)
C+ = Above Average (77-79)
C = Average (74-76)
C- = Below Average (70-73)
D+ = Needs Improvement (67-69)
D = Passing (64-66)
D- = Barely Passing (60-63)
F = Failure (59 and below)
ACADEMIC HONESTY - The History Department adheres to the University Catalog guidelines regarding academic misconduct, plagiarism, cheating, etc. Violations of these standards may result in grade reduction or, ultimately, a failing grade plus a recommendation for University discipline. In particular, copying from an electronic website without appropriate attribution is as serious a violation as lifting passages from a printed source without citing it. Citations for this course should be in the University of Chicago/Turabian style, the form used by professional historians. Your instructor will acquaint you with this style of citation immediately before the assignment of the first paper. If your citations fail to conform to Turabian style, then your paper grades will be reduced accordingly.
DISRUPTIONS - Noise and other disruptions are unacceptable and may result in a student's removal from class. This includes noises from beepers, watches, and cellular telephones; beepers and cellular telephones should be turned off before entering the classroom.
CHILDREN AND BABIES - Underaged and unregistered individuals are permitted to attend class if they do not distract from the learning process and if there are enough seats for registered students. In general, however, underaged and unregistered individuals should not be present during regularly scheduled exams (and during make-up exams, too).
ABSENCE FROM FINAL EXAMINATIONS: Your instructor adheres to the University Catalog's procedures in the event of a missed final examination. These rules state that "if a student misses a final examination because of an emergency, he/she should notify the instructor within 48 hours after the examination was scheduled." (p.31) In addition, the student needs to get an excuse from the Dean of Students; credible documentation must be shown in order to get such an excuse. If the student does not follow the Catalog procedures to the letter, then the student will receive a zero/F for the exam grade, which will be factored into the final grade for the course as shown above.
REPORTING FINAL GRADES: Reporting final grades for the course over the telephone, facsimile, and/or Internet violates the Federal Privacy Act of 1974. Therefore, your instructor does not report final grades for the course over the telephone, facsimile, and/or electronic mail. In addition, posting final grades for the course publicly violates the Federal Privacy Act of 1974. Thus your instructor does not post final grades for the course in a public place.
COMPUTER LITERACY: This course assumes that students have e-mail addresses
and that they have access to (are familiar with using) word processing programs
such as Microsoft Word and Corel Word Perfect. Course announcements may be
transmitted electronically; questions about assignments may be efficiently
handled through e-mail. In addition, this course assumes that students have
access to (and are familiar with using) Internet websites, which your instructor
may underscore in order to supplement required printed assignments.
POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS TO SYLLABI: Your instructor, Charles H. Ford, retains
the right to change or to revise this syllabus and/or course calendar at his
discretion. Attend class in order to be aware of any syllabi changes.
SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS: Any student with documented and certified special needs regarding their ability to participate successfully in this course should inform your instructor of these special needs during the first two weeks of class. Once informed of these special needs, your instructor will make any reasonable accommodation in order to foster the success of any student with documented and certified special needs. In general, disabled (whether physically, mentally, and/or academically) students should contact Ms. Beverly B. Harris at the Disabled Students Services Office, Room 309, Godwin Student Center, (757) 823-8173.
TAPE RECORDERS: In order for students to take better notes from lectures and/or discussions, your instructor welcomes the use of tape recorders to supplement handwritten and/or typed notes. Nevertheless, tape recorders should not be substituted for attendance or engagement; in order to record a class session, the student taping the session has to be present in class for the entire period. Abuse of tape recording privileges will result in such privileges being taken away from that student and/or students.
FILMS: In order to supplement lecture/discussion topics, your instructor will show documentaries, American films, and foreign movies (mainly Spanish or Portuguese with English subtitles) exploring some of these topics in depth. You are expected to pay close attention to these films and to take notes during these films. Details and arguments from the films may be the subject of essay questions on your essay examinations. The week of showing of the film is listed with the course calendar below; attend class in order to find out the exact day of the showing of these films and/or excerpts from these films.
INSTRUCTOR"S WEBSITE: The electronic address of your instructor's very
own professional website is:
http://oocities.com/drcford
This website, currently under construction, will be updated with current course
outlines and announcements by the end of the first week of class. Consult
it frequently for any changes to and/or deletions from the course syllabi.
SYLLABUS
SLAVERY IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN
I. ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL SLAVERY
14 January Slavery in Antiquity
Davis, Problem of Slavery, 62-90
23 January Ancient Slave Rebellions
Keith Bradley (handout), 18-45
28 January Slavery and Serfdom in the Middle Ages
Davis, Problem of Slavery, 91-121
Curtin (handout), 3-28
Orlando Patterson, Slavery and Social Death: A Comparative Study (handout),
38-45
FIRST EXAMINATION, 4 FEBRUARY
II. SLAVERY IN WESTERN AFRICA
6 February Islam and the Ideology of Enslavement
Willis, Slaves and Slavery in Muslim Africa (handout), 1-26
TOPIC FOR RESEARCH STATEMENT DUE, 6 FEB.
11 February Slavery and African Social Structures
Curtin (handout), 29-45
Thornton, 72-97
David Richardson, "Across the Desert and the Sea: Trans-Saharan and Atlantic
Slavery, 1500-1900," The Historical Journal, 38:1 (1995): 195-204, (handout).
SHORT PAPERS ASSIGNED - 11 FEBRUARY
18 February Enslavement and the Slave Trade in West Africa; Historiography
of the Atlantic Slave Trade
Thornton, 98-125
Miller (handout); Paul E. Lovejoy, "The Impact of the Atlantic Slave
Trade on Africa: A Review of the Literature," Journal of African History,
30(1989): 365-94, (handout).
Films, Roots, Part 1 (1977); Amistad (1998); Sankofa (1995)
SHORT PAPER #1 - DUE 27 FEBRUARY
III. SLAVERY IN THE AMERICAS
25 February & 2 March African Slaves in the Colonial Atlantic World, Part
1
Thornton, 129-182
Kathleen J. Higgins, "Master and Slave in a Mining Society: A Study of
Eighteenth Century Sabara, Minas Gerais," Slavery and Abolition 11:1
(1990): 59-73, (handout).
MIDTERM EXAMINATIONS - 6/8 MARCH
18 March African Slaves in the Colonial Atlantic World, Part 2
Thornton, 183-271
Film, Xica (1976)
Bertram Wyatt-Brown, "The Mask of Obedience: Male Slave Psychology in
the Old South," American Historical Review 93(December 1988), handout,
all.
25 March Caribbean Slavery: Sugar and Slaves
Curtin (handout), 73-95; Selections from Eric Williams, From Columbus to Castro:
The History of the Caribbean (New York, 1984), (handouts).
PROSPECTUS & BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE - 29 MARCH
1 April & 8 April North American Slavery
Boles (handout), Genovese (handout)
Begin reading Kolchin, American Slavery, all.
Films, Africans in America: The Terrible Transformation 1450- 1750 (1998);
Africans in America: Judgment Day 1831-1865 (1998)
EXAMINATION - 1 APRIL
SECOND SHORT PAPER DUE - 10 APRIL
15 April Resistance to New World Slavery
Thornton, 271-303
Finish reading Kolchin, American Slavery, all.
Film, Quilombo (1984)
Michael Mullin (handout); Selected chapters from Emilia Viotti da Costa, Crowns
of Glory, Tears of Blood: The Demerara Slave Rebellion of 1823 (New York:
Oxford University Press, 1994), (handouts).
IV. AMERICAN SLAVERY AND RUSSIAN SERFDOM COMPARED
22 April & 29 April Unfree Labor in Both America and Russia
Kolchin, Unfree Labor: American Slavery and Russian Serfdom
1-46, 113-156
FIRST DRAFT DUE - 22 APRIL
ORAL PRESENTATIONS - 22 APRIL-29 APRIL
FINAL DRAFT DUE - 3 MAY
THURSDAY, 9 MAY AT 1:00 P.M. ******FINAL EXAM*******
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