History 591CW - S-Experiences of the Civil War

This junior seminar will examine how various groups of people experienced the Civil War differently, including Union and Confederate soldiers, women and children on the battelfield and the home front, fugitive slaves and newly freedpeople in contraband camps, the Union army, and in Confederate territory. Students are required to write weekly in different genres, such as book review for a popular audience, an academic book review, historical fiction, a blog entry, and an opinion piece. Students will complete a 15-25 page research paper based on original research using primary sources from local or online archives and published collections. We will also engage in peer review, with students commenting on drafts of eachother's work as well as giving a conference-style presentation.

Open to Seniors and Juniors in History, Middle East and Judaic majors only. Fulfills the junior year writing requirement for History majors.