This course examines the history of what became the United States from initial European colonization through reconstruction (1877). It is designed to introduce students to the study of American history. Lectures, discussions, and the textbooks will provide a broad picture of that history and specific analyses of significant events and people. Students are challenged and encouraged to be analytical, critical, and creative in their reading, in classroom discussion and lecture questions, in examinations, and other written assignments.

STUDENT OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will be better able to:

1. Have a coherent general understanding of major events and developments in American history through reconstruction (1877).

2. Grasp the relationship between events (cause and effect, etc.).

3. Synthesize information into a coherent overview.

4. Appreciate and respect the diversity of American experiences.

5. Develop an historical consciousness, including awareness of the different ways of life and value systems of people of the past.

6. Improve skills such as reading for content and for thesis, effective listening and note taking, and clear writing, which are important for future learning and are broadly applicable to a wide variety of disciplines and careers.

7. Demonstrate the ability to clearly express and defend one’s views on studied material through verbal communication.

8. Distinguish between fact, interpretation based fact, and opinion.

9. Develop a basic appreciation of the historical method.

Assessment of the first six outcomes is primarily through examinations; the instructor will determine outcome seven via class discussion; and the paper will assess the final two outcomes.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Four examinations, each counting one-sixth of the course grade will be given. Examinations are multiple choice, short answer, and essay. A good essay should respond clearly and directly to the question; should display sound reasoning or interpretation; should support the major points with evidence or explanation; should be consistent with the facts available to you; and should answer the question as thoroughly as time permits.

2. One paper on one of the assigned chapters listed on this syllabus from Wheeler and Becker, Discovering the American Past, vol. 1, 6^th ed., counts one-sixth of the course grade. This paper will be due NLT end of class November 30, 2009.

3. Periodic short quizzes and class discussion will make up one-sixth of the course grade. The quizzes may deal with material found in Devine’s American Past and Present, vol. 1, 8^th ed., Wheeler and Becker’s Discovering the American Past, vol. 1, 6^th ed., or material provided by the instructor. The two lowest quizzes will be dropped. Discussion points will be determined by the instructor based on the participation and displayed knowledge of the student during each class.

READING ASSIGNMENTS

Robert Devine et al, American Past and Present, 8^th ed. Vol. 1. (D)

William Wheeler and Susan Becker, Discovering the American Past, 6^th ed. Vol 1. (W&B)

August 24 August 26

Introduction (D) Chapter 1

August 31 - September 2 September 7 September 9-14

(D) Chapter 2 No Class (D) Chapter 3

(W&B) 2 Labor Day

September 16 September 21

(D) Chapter 4/(W&B) 3 Examination

September 23-28 September 30

(D) Chapter 5 (D) Chapter 6

(W&B) 4

October 5-7 October 12 October 14

(D) Chapter 7 No Class (D) Chapter 8

(W&B) 5 Columbus Day

October 19 October 21-26

Examination (D) Chapter 9/(W&B) 7

October 28 November 2

(D) Chapter 10 (D) Chapter 11

(W&B) 6 (W&B) 8

November 4-9 November 11

(D) Chapter 12 Examination

November 16-18 November 25

(D) Chapter 13 No Class

(W&B) 9 Thanksgiving Holiday

November 23-30 December 2-7

(D) Chapter 14 (D) Chapter 15

Paper due - November 30 (W&B) 10

December 9 December 16 - Examinations

(D) Chapter 16 (11375 - 1630) -- 1600-1800

(W&B) 11 (14353 - 1800) -- 1815-2015

December 18 - Examination

(12451 - 1500) – 1300-1500

PAPER ASSIGNMENT

Students must complete one typed, double-spaced 4-6 page paper using no font size smaller than 10 or larger than 12 to produce the paper. The content of this paper must be an essay answer to the central question(s) posed in one of the chapters of the Wheeler & Becker book, Discovering the American Past. This paper will be due on November 30. W&B should be the main source for the paper but information from Devine’s American Past and Present may also be used. One additional primary source must be used and a copy of that source attached to the paper. Weigh all the evidence presented in your selections, consider all the questions posed by W&B in the chapter chosen, and then, in your essay, answer the central question(s) of the chapter. Note: The central question(s) of the chapter are NOT normally found in the “Questions to Consider” section of the chapter. Any paper that only answers these questions does not meet the requirements of the assignment. For each session this paper is late, one letter grade will be deducted.

Following are some helpful hints for your paper. First, acquaint yourself with the background and context of the issue by reading thoughtfully the sections of the chapter entitled “The Problem” and “The Background.” Your textbook may also prove helpful. Look carefully at the sections entitled “The Method” and “Questions to Consider” to get a better idea of how to analyze the evidence. You will find that there are several questions that you need to ask of the evidence in order to write a good analysis of the main topic question. Perhaps you will think of questions and issues on your own, in addition to those raised in the book, and your additional primary source may help in that regard. Read “The Evidence” section of the chapter carefully, and draw your conclusion. Fit together your answers to all the conclusions about the main topic question. “The Evidence” is your main source for this paper.

Your paper should include several things. First, a brief introduction that states the issue your paper will deal with and puts the issue in its historical context. This section should be short. Second, analysis in which you set forth your conclusions and show how you reached those conclusions and why you think they are correct. This is the major part of the paper, and should occupy most of the paper’s length. It is important that you don’t just assert your conclusions – give evidence to prove they are correct. Evidence should come from “The Evidence” in the chapter, textbook, and your outside primary source, and may take the form of quotations or references. Be sure to explain what the evidence proves. Quotations or references should be followed by the page number and item number (if any) of the passage in the book to which you are referring, ie. (W&B-25); formal footnotes will not be required since all of your references will come from the two books used plus the primary source you will provide as an attachment.

All direct quotations, even very short ones, must be placed in quotation marks and the source given. Failure to do so is plagiarism. If you put a passage in your own words instead of quoting, put it entirely in your own words. Changing one word or two in a sentence is an unacceptable close paraphrase, and is also considered plagiarism. References to evidence that do not include a quotation also need a note indicating the source.

Third, the paper should include a final summary that pulls together your conclusions. Differing interpretations of the evidence are to be expected. Papers will be graded on the soundness and insightfulness of the conclusions, the use of the evidence to support the conclusions, the organization of the paper, and the writing style, including grammar and spelling. Two copies of the paper must be submitted - one will be returned graded and the other retained by the instructor.

PLAGIARISM AND OTHER INFORMATION

Plagiarism or academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the assignment in question, and in such cases the course grade will be computed on a strict numerical average. University regulations require a course grade of F for unauthorized withdrawal. If a student stays in the course through the final examination and fails to complete one or more course requirements, excluding quizzes, grades of zero will be given for the incomplete requirements and the course grade computed on a strict numerical average. The History Department does not allow the use of tape recorders in the classroom. The instructor will make exceptions for students with disabilities. Permission of the instructor is required before use.