'The Peculiar Institution': Slaves and Slavery in the American South, 1790-1865 (U01376)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : HCA-3-PI

This course will examine the history of African-American slavery from the end of the eighteenth century through to its constitutional abolition in 1865. Throughout the focus will be on the experience of the slaves and their adaptation and reaction to the 'peculiar institution'. Topics will include the demography and morphology of the slave population; variations in slavery across time and space; the emergence and impact of the internal slave trade; legislation governing slavery and slave behaviour; the master-slave relationship; the development of the slave community; slave family life, religious beliefs and practices, working patterns and living conditions and the ways in which slaves were able to resist-individually and collectively- their masters. The course will also look at the economics of slavery, examining its profitability and its impact upon the Southern economy. Finally, there will also be an investigation of the slaves' participation in and contribution to the war effort which culminated in their emancipation. Throughout the coverage of all these topics, we will be aiming to highlight some of the fierce historiographical debates that slavery has aroused and, in the process, discuss the various methodologies and types of evidence that historians have used. Equally important will be an analysis of the slaves' own recollections of bondage.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A pass in any first level historical course and any second level historical course or equivalent. Before enrolling students on this course, Directors are asked to contact the History Honours Admissions Secretary to ensure that a place is available (tel. 503783).

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History, (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Friday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

i) Subject knowledge a) To increase understanding of the origins, development and eventual abolition of the institution of slavery in America.
ii) Discipline Skills a) To improve awareness of the nature and use of historical evidence b) To demonstrate the nature of history as argument by focusing on the debates between historians on key issues.
iii) Writing Skills To increase skills in the research, writing and presentation of papers.
iv) Non-Written Skills To increase organisational, critical and communication skills