Time Schedule:
Daren Michael Salter
HSTAA 225
Seattle Campus
Explores the making of American slavery from beginnings on the African coast to the plantations of the southern United States. Includes slave life, pro-slavery thought, slave management, representations of slavery then and now, abolitionism, and debates about slavery.
Class description
This course is designed as an overview of the origins, evolution, demise, and legacy of American slavery from the colonial period through the late19th century. Major topics include the Atlantic and domestic slave trade, the relationship between slavery and race, slave work and culture, slave resistance, abolitionism, pro-slavery thought, and the meanings of American freedom. The course seeks to position slavery not as an anomalous aspect of American history but rather as central to the making of the United States as a nation and a people.
Student learning goals
Achieve a fuller understanding of the rise and evolution of American slavery
Position slavery in the broader context of American political, social, economic, and cultural history
Gain new perspectives on recent and contemporary issues concerning race and American society
Improve writing and analytical skills
General method of instruction
Lecture and/or group discussion during class periods, as well as individual consultations during instructor office hours.
Recommended preparation
There are no prerequisites. Previous coursework in or a basic familiarity with colonial and antebellum United States history is helpful but by no means required for success in the course.
Class assignments and grading
2 short essays (5-7 pp); in-class midterm; in-class final exam
Grading will reflect student performance on take-home and in-class assignments as well as participation in classroom discussions.
