Impacts of Colonizing the Americas
Program Summary
Between the late 1400s and the early 1800s, Europeans from England, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain colonized parts of the Americas. Have you ever stopped to ponder the legacy of this history? Is the past truly over or does it still impact us today? In this FYE, we will explore these questions by looking at the colonial history of the Americas and begin to identify potential ways this past has impacted the present. Specifically, we will examine the plethora of peoples, cultures, governments, and languages that comprised the Colonial Americas. By the end of the semester, you will be a scholar of colonial American history who is adept at academic research. Come join this FYE and explore a fascinating and diverse time period!
HIST 201: Colonial Americas
In the history course for this FYE, we examine the Colonial Americas from multiple angles and through a variety of sources. Specifically, we use a blend of primary and secondary sources, archaeological research, oral history, art, and objects to explore the Americas from the late 15th through the early 19th centuries. This combination of evidence allows us to adopt a holistic approach and objectively consider the perspectives of imperial powers, European-Americans, Indigenous peoples, and African arrivals (both enslaved and free). By the end of the semester, you should have a solid understanding of the diverse cultures, peoples, and languages that comprised the Americas during this period. You will have opportunities to demonstrate what you have and are learning through presentations, videos, writing assignments, research, and class discussions.
GEN 101 CA: ILC Colonizing the Americas
In the ILC class for this FYE, we focus on how to conduct original research on the colonial Americas and how to present our findings in both written and spoken formats. We also explore time management and study skills that will help you succeed in college and beyond. Because everyone has unique learning styles and needs as well as individual schedule requirements, the goal in this course is to help you identify the best methods for you to meet your goals by providing multiple opportunities to experiment with and practice a variety of approaches to studying, writing, and managing your time.