HIS201-1: United States History I
Instructor’s Information
Instructor: Kristen Blackshear
Office Location: Room 102
Office Hours: T & TH 3:05 – 3:35
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Division Chair: Dr. Bob Dansby
Course Description
College Credit Hours: 3
Required text, materials & supplies: James A. Henretta, et. al., America: A Concise History (Bedford/St. Martin’s) 5th edition combined. This text will be used for both HIS 201 and HIS 202; Hillsdale Faculty, American Heritage, A Reader, 1st edition.
Course Overview
Course Description: This course surveys United States history during colonial, Revolutionary, early national, and antebellum periods. It concludes with the Civil War and Reconstruction. Chapters 1-16 will be covered or discussed.
Essential Course Functions: Students enrolled in HIS 201 must be able to receive and assimilate presentations of course content, directions, and procedures in written, verbal, tactile and/or visual demonstration format as presented by the instructor. In addition, students must be able to respond in written, verbal, tactile, and/or demonstration format to evaluate procedures as presented by the instructor in regard to course content and requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: A) Demonstrate proficiency in the basic concepts of and factual data inherent to the study of American history during the period cited;; B) Establish and display a working command of concepts related to the impact of cultural, economic, intellectual, political, and social influences and events upon American history from the foundations of America through the War Between the States; C) Display a working knowledge of key dates, events, and people during the period cited; D) Display the ability to analyze and critique historical documents for objectivity and for relevancy to the course; E) Have a general understanding of local and state history, including Georgia; F) Demonstrate the ability to synthesize course topics and material into a comprehensive view of the past; G) Provide objectively measurable evidence of competency and proficiency in this subject area.
Instructor Expectations/Student Responsibilities: To successfully complete this course, the student must:
a)Read assigned topics in the textbook as well as any other readings assigned by the instructor;
b)Transcribe or record accurate notes related to lectures or other media presented by or provided by the instructor;
c)Study, correlate, and commit to memory course-related information imparted and or obtained;
d)Display time management skills and maintain the self-discipline required to meet course requirements;
e)Complete all instructional activities in a timely manner;
f)Actively participate in discussions and adhere to course deadlines;
g)Complete all assignments and exams;
h)Read any e-mail sent by the instructor and respond promptly;
i)Log in to Blackboard regularly (as prescribed by the instructor and course policy);
j)Demonstrate proficiency in and knowledge of course content by passing the course with a grade of 60% or above.
Instructional Methods: Lecture, video, off-campus assignments.
Evaluation Method(s)
Grading:
The Grading Scale in this course is:
A – (90 – 100) B – (80 – 89) C – (70 – 79) D – (60 – 69) F – Below 60 AU – Audit Course
Exams and Assignments: Final course averages will be based upon the cumulative result of 4 quizzes, a comprehensive final exam, 2 essays, a book quiz, and a map quiz. You have the possibility of achieving 1000 points for the semester, and each assignment accounts for a MINIMUM of 25 points toward your final grade. All exams and quizzes will be administered in class according to the schedule, your essays and other written assignments are due in class on the day assigned. You will need a number two pencil for your exam and review quizzes. W’s will be assigned only to students who follow the proper procedures for withdraw. (See withdraw policies below.)
POINTS: 1000-900: A; 899-800: B; 799-700: C; 699-600: D; 599-below: F.
Final Exam: 200 points
Exams: 100 points each (400 total)
Essay: 100 points
Book Quizzes: 20 points each (100 points total)
Map Quiz: 100 points
Powerpoint: 100 points
Missed Exams and Assignments: Students who miss a quiz will be allowed to take a make-up on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:05-4:05 PM in Room 102. No late papers or assignments will be accepted. Students will be given the full class period for quizzes. Students arriving late will only be allowed the remaining time to complete a quiz, and those arriving after the quiz has finished will NOT be allowed to take the quiz that day.
CVCC and Course Policies
Services for Disabled/Non-discrimination Policy:
It is the official policy of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education, including all postsecondary education institutions under control of the State Board of Education, that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, sex, religion, creed, natural origin, age, marital status, or parental status, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment.
General Statements
The instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to the schedule, assignments, examinations, or requirements of the course as needs and circumstances dictate.
Student outcomes in this course may be directly related to the entering student’s level of preparedness and level of effort.
ESSAYS
1)Essay MUST be turned in on time.
2)Papers must be typed, double-spaced, with 12 pt font, one inch margins, and 2-3 pages in length, no more, no less, and MINIMUM of five paragraphs.
3)You need to submit a cover page with your name, class, instructor’s name, and the title of your paper.
4)You must answer the question thoroughly with detail. Vague answers and “kitchen sink” responses will be penalized. Each essay must have an introduction and conclusion.
5)Students will be graded primarily on content, but the flow of the paper, meaning the grammar, spelling, punctuation, and adherence to directions will also be considered toward the final grade. Students will be graded based on a provided rubric.
6)Essays are worth 100 total points.
History 201 PowerPoint Presentations
Create a PowerPoint Presentation to share with the class about an assigned topic related to state and local history (including Georgia). Be sure to focus on the historical significance of the person, place, or event as it relates to the time period we are studying.
•Create a PowerPoint with 10 slides.
•Each slide should be visually appealing- having appropriate color schemes, text sizes, and pictures. (Do not use distracting backgrounds, neon colors or colors that do not mesh well.)
•Include five graphics (picture, chart, photo, etc) accompanied with a caption below the picture indicating what it is.
•Remember to make the type large enough for those in the audience to see when presenting (at least 18 size font).
•The first slide should be a title slide and have the title of the presentation, your name, class, and instructor’s name.
•The final slide of the PowerPoint should be titled at the top, “Resources,” and have every source from which you obtained information or graphics. Failure to do this is called plagiarism and a score of ‘0’ will be given.
HIS 201 Book Review
Read the following passages from American Heritage: A Reader, 1st edition. Each of the questions should be answered in a well-developed paragraph with complete sentences, proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Your responses are to be typed, double spaced, 12 pt. font, with one inch margin.. Questions are worth 20 points each.
1. “A Modell of Christian Charity” - John Winthrop
2. “Autobiography” – Benjamin Franklin
3. “First Inaugural Address” – George Washington
4. “First Inaugural Address” – Thomas Jefferson
5. “Remarks on Seneca Falls” – Elizabeth Cady Stanton
1. According to Winthrop’s “A Modell of Christian Charity,” how should the Puritan community deal with economic diversity, accumulation of wealth, and strife in order to fulfill its divine mandate to build a “city upon a hill”?
2. Explain Benjamin Franklin's quest for moral perfection as described in his Autobiography. What process did he use? Was he successful? Why or why not?
3. According to Washington’s First Inaugural Address, how does Washington feel about being elected President of the United States and why does he accept the job?
4. After reading Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address, how would you describe Jefferson’s views on government?
5. What obstacles to equal rights for women does Elizabeth Cady Stanton identify in her “Remarks on Seneca Falls”?