The American Civil War in context 1845-1865 ADED12055E

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: Short Courses
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Summer
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

During the four years of the American Civil War (1861-65) the United States endured its greatest national trauma. The war transformed what had been a loose collection of fiercely independent states into a nation, remaking its political, cultural, and social institutions. Arising out of a political crisis over the expansion of slavery, the struggle claimed more than 600,000 lives, freed nearly 4,000,000 enslaved African Americans, and settled definitively the question of whether states had the right to withdraw from the Union. This course explores how the war arose from 1845 onwards, why the North won (and the Confederacy lost), how military campaigns unfolded, and the enduring issues left unresolved at the end of the conflict, most notably the question of where formerly enslaved citizens would fit into the social and political structure of the nation.

Timetable

Live online

Block 4, 10 weeks

weeks 1-10

Wednesdays, 19:00-21:00

Requirements of Entry

none

Excluded Courses

ADED11096E The American Civil War in Context, 1845-1877 (20 credits, SCQF 7) covers overlapping time periods and offers similar content to this course. Students should be mindful to the risks of self-plagiarism.

Co-requisites

none

Assessment

#ILO2

7-minute recorded presentation (or 750 word scripted commentary) analysing contemporary primary source material (25%)

 

ILOs #1 and #3

Essay (1,500 words) identifying and describing the key events, causes and consequences of the American Civil War 1861-65, from 1845 onwards with reference to key historiographical debates (75%)

Course Aims

This course aims to:

■ Explain the key events, causes and consequences of the American Civil War 1861-65, from 1845 onwards

■ Provide an opportunity for students to critically engage with contemporary primary source materials

■ introduce students to key historiographical debates concerning these events

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Identify and describe the key events, causes and consequences of the American Civil War 1861-65, from 1845 onwards

■ Analyse and compare contemporary primary source materials

■ Recognise and appraise key historiographical debates concerning these events

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.