EDSS 515 - Teaching the American Civil War (3)

The American Civil War is arguably the most important event in American history. It challenged the very principles on which the country had been founded just 100 years earlier and altered the direction of the nation’s culture, societal structure, and laws. Four million slaves were freed after the war, but the path to abolition and preserving the union was filled with economic and political crises, interstate strife, and debates about the ethics of an institution that dehumanized and enslaved millions of people.

In this course, you will take an in-depth look at the economic, societal, and political causes of the Civil War; the major battles and events of the war; the most significant people and historical developments from this time; and the impact of the Civil War on American history. You’ll develop exercises and techniques for teaching students how to critically examine both sides of the war, and for showing them what life was like on the battle line for men and women (both black and white). In addition, you’ll learn how to introduce students to primary documents such as the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with actionable strategies for implementing meaningful classroom instruction on the Civil War.