FACULTY SYLLABUS (Fall 2010)
HIST 1301 - History of the United States I
S 14 MW 1:00 pm - 2:15 pmRoom BB 133
S 18TR11:30 am - 12:45 pmRoom BB 133
S 25TR 1:00 pm - 2:15 pmRoom BB 133
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Name:Dr. Keith Volanto
Office Number:BB 216, Spring Creek Campus
Office Hours:MW10:30 am - 12 pm
TR10:00 am - 11:30 am
{& by appointment}
Office Phone: (972) 578-5531
Email:
INSTRUCTOR’S WEB PAGE:
COURSE DESCRIPTION
History of the United States with focus on development of American characteristics and institutions, including the forging of a new society from European, African, and American cultures. Emphasis on colonial and early national periods through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students must take 6 credit hours of HIST 1301, 1302, or 2301 to fulfill the Texas legislative requirement for history.
Prerequisites:
Placement in college-level reading and English 1301
Course Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours
Corequisite: None
College Course Repeat Policy:
You may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including a W.
Students taking a course for the third or more times must have special permission and may be charged additional fees.
Veterans should consult the Director of Financial Aid/Veterans Affairs before repeating any course. Students planning to transfer to another college should check with the Transfer Lab or with receiving institutions for their repeat policies.
New State Requirement regarding drops:
As per a new state law, new students entering Texas public colleges and universities may only drop 6 classes during the course of their academic career. Be mindful of this policy and use withdrawals wisely.
Course Delivery Method:Lecture
TEXTBOOK
America: A Narrative History, Volume I, 7thor 8thEdition (Authors: Tindall and Shi)
SUPPLIES:
Bring a penand paper for note taking to each class; also, bring a #2 pencil and a Scantron Form 882-E (small, rectangular, green & white) available at the vending machine in front of the bookstore in case we have an unannounced quiz on that day – none will be provided by the instructor.
You will also need one Scantron Form and a Blue Book for each test
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES - Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to do the following:
1. Describe pre-Colombian civilizations in the Americas and summarize the impact of European discoveries and settlements on those civilizations.
2. Describe the aspects of Western and Non-Western culture that have contributed to the American experience.
3. Describe the development of the English colonies and the growth of independent colonial government.
4. Reconstruct the internal social, economic, and political events which led to the War for Independence.
5. Identify the factors, values, and compromises which shaped the U.S. Constitution.
6. Describe the formation of political parties, the development of sectionalism, and the early nationalist era.
7. Define Manifest Destiny and describe nineteenth century territorial expansion.
8. Outline major social, economic, political, and religious aspects of antebellum United States.
9. Describe the slavery controversy.
10. Outline the series of events which culminated in the Civil War.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
EVALUATION --
EXAMS
***There will be three exams. The 1st two exams will be worth 100 points each.
The final examwill be non-cumulative but will be worth 130 points.
For the exams you will be responsible for lecture and textbook material, including assigned textbook readings that cover material not mentioned during class.
The first two exams will consist of:
a) multiple choice true/false questions
(about 20questions from lecture terms 20from textbookterms not covered in class)
b) a series of short-answer (5-6 sentence-long response) questions
(2of 3 questions from lecture material 2 of 3 questionsfrom important textbook material)
c) one (2-page, typed)TAKE-HOMEESSAY question on a major theme covered in class and the textbook.
(given one week before the exam and due (with no exceptions) by the day of the test
Suggestions on how to read the textbook chapters:
When reading & re-reading the chapters, USE THE LIST OF TERMS I POST ON MY WEB SITE AS YOUR GUIDE. When it comes time to making up textbook questions for the tests, I will look to those terms. Narrow down the information by highlighting what you think are the key points and major supporting information. Now, rather than memorizing every word in the chapters, you can focus on the most important info as you review.
I will post a list of textbook topics that will be fair game for short answer questions.
(I will post another list of short answer possibilities from lecture topics)
I don’t ask questions about specific dates, nor do I ask questions about specific numbers or statistics. Your text will give you a lot of both, but do not get bogged down trying to memorize when someone was born, how many tons of steel was produced in Pittsburgh in a given year, how many men were killed in this or that battle, etc. Stick to the major points rather than such details.
Make-up Exams:
Students who miss an exam need to provide the instructor with a valid, documented reason for missing an exam in order to be allowed to take a make-up exam. If allowed, students have seven calendar days to make up the exam or they get a zero for that test score.
The makeup exams are longer and more detailed than the regular exams. They have essays in addition to other challenging questions that are generally harder than the regular exams, so it is probably in the best interest of students to take all exams at the regularly scheduled times.
THERE ARE NO MAKEUPS FOR MISSED MAKEUP EXAMS—if you schedule a make-up, stick to the date and time we arrange.
RANDOM TEXTBOOK READING QUIZZES
***We will have 8 quizzeson random unannounced daysworth 15 points each. 7 of the 8 will count towards your grade—your lowest score (or a missed quiz) will be dropped.
**** Again, you need to bring a Scantron Form 882-E (small, rectangular, green & white) to each class in case we have an unannounced quiz on that day
These quizzes will be given at the beginning of certain classes and will usually consist of 7 multiple choice/true-false questions.
You will be given 7 minutes to complete the quiz. Any quizzes not turned in after the 7 minutes will result in a score of zero, thus it is important to get to class on time every day.
There are no makeups for the quizzes.
VIDEO QUIZ
Once this semester (see course calendar) we will be showing an extended movie clip from the HBO series John Adams. You will take a straight-forward 20-point quiz after the movie clip thereafter. You must be in attendance that day to view the video and take the quiz. If missed, you must have an excused absence and will have 7 calendar days to view the video clip and take a makeup quiz.
HOMEWORK
***There will be three homework assignments worth 15 points each. These assignments will involve reading an article or visiting a historical website and usually involve writing a 3-page (double-spaced) essay following guidelines laid down by the instructor.
All homework not turned in at the beginning of class on the due date will be considered late and will suffer up to a 5 point penalty. You have plenty of time to do each assignment and are encouraged to turn them in before the due date. After the next class meeting, late HW will no longer be accepted.
METHOD OF EVALUATION/GRADING SCALE:
Mid-term #1 100 pts.500 - 450 = A(100-90%)
Mid-term #2 100 pts.449 - 400 = B (89-80%)
Final Exam130 pts.399 - 350 = C(79-70%)
Random Quizzes105 pts.349 - 300 = D(69-60%)
Video Quiz 20 pts.Below 299 = F(59% and below)
Homework 45pts.
500 total points
ATTENDANCE POLICY/WITHDRAWAL:
Though we will not take formal attendance in this class each day, your attendance is expected every day the class meets. We will be having random quizzes throughout the semester. You are allowed to drop your lowest quiz score, thus you may miss one quiz entirely without your course grade being affected.
***I do not give out lecture notes nor make PowerPoint slides available on the web site. It is the student’s responsibility to get notes and other information from any missed class.
If you are unable to complete the course, you must withdraw by Friday, October 15.
Withdrawing from a course is a formal procedure that you must initiate. If you stop attending class and do not withdraw, you will receive the grade you earn, usually an F. If you withdraw from the course, you will receive a grade of W. Withdrawal forms can be found in the Admissions and Records Office.
OTHER POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS:
Time Dedication:
Every student is different, but in all college courses, especially this core curriculum course, a general rule is to allocate at least 3 hours of time per week outside of the classroom for every one hour that you spend in the classroom. Because this is a 3 lecture-hour course, that means you should spend at least 9 hours per week with this material.
Note: Trying to make up these hours by cramming new information into your brains for the 1st time right before the tests is a recipe for disaster. If you do this, you will do poorly (even if you are not going for an A+ grade). Try it and see!
Laptop Computers
No laptop computers are allowed in class (unless students have a documented disability that necessitates their use in the classroom).
No Cell Phones/Text Messaging in Class
Turn off your cell phones before coming to class.
No text messaging is allowed in class. After an initial reminder/warning, I will take 20 points taken off the final course score for each violation of this policy.
Leaving Class Early
Students must inform the instructor before class begins if they cannot stay for the entire class. Students who need to leave early will be placed in an open seat near the door so they cause a minimum distraction upon leaving.
After an initial reminder/warning, students who disrupt class by leaving class and not returning without giving prior notice will have 20 points taken off their final course score for each occurrence.
You do not have to ask permission to leave the classroom temporarily to go to the bathroom, clear your throat, etc. Just leave your stuff on your desk so we know that you will be returning.
Seating Chart
There will be a seating chart for all class meetings and exams. The seating assignments will be decided on a first-come/first-served basis at the 1st class meeting of the 2nd week, so get to class early that day if you have a strong preference for a specific seat. If you miss class when seats are assigned, you will get placed in a seat on your first day back.
RELIGIOUS HOLY DAYS:
Refer to the current Collin Student Handbook
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) STATEMENT:
It is the policy of CollinCountyCommunity College to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities. This college will adhere to all applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS Office (Office G200; 881-5898; TDD 881-5950) in a timely manner to arrange for accommodations.
ACADEMIC ETHICS:
The College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree and/or the submission as one's own work material that is not one's own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.
Plagiarism is the use of an author's words or ideas as if they were one's own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else's work for assignments as if it were one's own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to providing a paper or project to another student, providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR (subject to slight modification)
LIST OF LECTURE TOPICS [WITH TEXTBOOK READINGS (7thEDITION)
THAT STUDENTS SHOULD COMPLETE BEFORE COMING TO CLASS IN BRACKETS]
(Each topic/readings represents approximately one class day)
Course Introduction [no readings]
Native Americans/Exploration/The “Columbian Exchange” [Ch.1, pp. 5-27]
Seating Chart + The Reformation/England vs. Spain rivalry/the Roanoke Colonies [Ch.1, pp. 27-43]
JamestownEarly Virginia [Ch. 2, pp. 46-60;Ch. 3, pp. 98-118]
** No School on Monday, Sept. 6 – Labor Day
The Puritans: Plymouth & Massachusetts Bay Colony [Ch. 2, pp. 61-77; Ch. 3, pp. 118-31]
HW #1 Due+Carolina/Pennsylvania/Other Colonies[Ch. 2, pp. 77-95]
English Colonies in the 1700s/7 Years War/Coming of the Am. Revolution I
[Ch. 3, pp. 131-34; 138-44;Ch.4,pp.147-72; Ch. 5, pp. 174-88]
Take-Home Essay posted + Coming of the American Revolution II [Ch. 5, pp. 188-206]
John Adams Video + 20-point Quiz
*** Take-Home Essay Due + MID-TERM EXAM #1 Tues. Sept. 28/Wed. Sept. 29
American Revolution/Articles of Confederation/New Republic [Ch.6, pp. 213-47; Ch. 7, pp. 249-62]
Constitutional Convention/Ratification of the Constitution [Ch. 7, pp. 263-77]
Washington’s Presidency/Jefferson vs. Hamilton[Ch.8, pp. 279-299]
Political Parties Form/Adams Presidency/Election of 1800 [Ch.8,pp.299-318]
Last Day to Withdraw is Friday, October 15
Jefferson in Power/War of 1812 [Ch. 9, pp. 320-50]
HW #2 Due + The Market Revolution [Ch.10, pp. 357-62, 371-74; Ch. 12, pp. 416-39]
Take-Home Essay posted + Rise of Andrew Jackson [Ch. 10,pp. 362-71, 374-84]
Jackson’s Presidency/Whigs vs. Democrats [Ch. 11, pp. 385-414; Ch. 14, pp. 490-91]
*** Take-Home Essay Due + MID-TERM EXAM #2 (Approx. Thurs.Oct. 28/Mon. Nov. 1)
American Slavery & the Old South [Ch. 15, pp. 531-54]
Northern Blacks/Abolitionism/Immigration [Ch. 12, pp. 443-49; 479-84; Ch. 15, pp. 556-62]
Mexican War/The Compromise of 1850 [Ch. 14, pp. 501-23; Ch. 16, pp. 565-77]
Kansas-Nebraska Act/Rise of the Republican Party/Coming of the Civil War
[Ch.16,pp. 577-605;Ch.17, pp. 607-11]
Civil War I [Ch. 17, pp. 612-33]
Take-Home Essay posted + Civil War II [Ch. 17, pp. 634-56]
No School on Wed. Nov. 24 & Thurs. Nov. 25 --Thanksgiving Break
HW #3 Due + Reconstruction [lecture only--no readings, but see Ch. 18 for reference]
Last day of class – Review game for extra credit
*** Take-Home Essay Due + FINAL EXAMS (Week of December 6 – December 12)
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR (subject to slight modification)
LIST OF LECTURE TOPICS [WITH TEXTBOOK READINGS (8th EDITION)
THAT STUDENTS SHOULD COMPLETE BEFORE COMING TO CLASS IN BRACKETS]
(Each topic/readings represents approximately one class day)
Course Introduction [no readings]
Native Americans/Exploration/The “Columbian Exchange” [Ch.1, pp. 5-32]
Seating Chart + The Reformation/England vs. Spain rivalry/the Roanoke Colonies [Ch.1, pp. 32-49]
Jamestown & Early Virginia [Ch. 2, pp. 52-68; Ch. 3, pp. 108-129]
** No School on Monday, Sept. 6 – Labor Day
The Puritans: Plymouth & Massachusetts Bay Colony [Ch. 2, pp. 68-85; Ch. 3, pp. 129-41]
HW #1 Due +Carolina/Pennsylvania/Other Colonies [Ch. 2, pp. 85-105]
English Colonies in the 1700s/7 Years War/Coming of the Am. Revolution I
[Ch. 3, pp. 142-45; 149-59; Ch. 4, pp. 162-87; Ch. 5, pp. 190-203]
Take-Home Essay posted + Coming of the American Revolution II [Ch. 5, pp. 204-223]
John Adams Video + 20-point Quiz
*** Take-Home Essay Due + MID-TERM EXAM #1 Tues. Sept. 28/Wed. Sept. 29
American Revolution/Articles of Confederation/New Republic [Ch. 6, pp. 231-67; Ch. 7, pp. 270-83]
Constitutional Convention/Ratification of the Constitution [Ch. 7, pp. 283-97]
Washington’s Presidency/Jefferson vs. Hamilton [Ch. 8, pp. 300-321]
Political Parties Form/Adams Presidency/Election of 1800 [Ch. 8, pp. 322-341]
Last Day to Withdraw is Friday, October 15
Jefferson in Power/War of 1812 [Ch. 9, pp. 344-75]
HW #2 Due + The Market Revolution [Ch. 10, pp. 383-89, 398-401; Ch. 12, pp. 450-71]
Take-Home Essay posted + Rise of Andrew Jackson [Ch. 10, pp. 389-98, 403-411]
Jackson’s Presidency/Whigs vs. Democrats [Ch. 11, pp. 414-47; Ch. 14, pp. 526-30]
*** Take-Home Essay Due + MID-TERM EXAM #2 (Approx. Thurs. Oct. 28/Mon. Nov. 1)
American Slavery & the Old South [Ch. 15, pp. 569-92]
Northern Blacks/Abolitionism/Immigration [Ch. 12, pp. 475-82; 516-21; Ch. 15, pp. 592-99]
Mexican War/The Compromise of 1850 [Ch. 14, pp. 538-61; Ch. 16, pp. 602-15]
Kansas-Nebraska Act/Rise of the Republican Party/Coming of the Civil War
[Ch.16,pp. 615-45;Ch.17, pp. 648-52]
Civil War I [Ch. 17, pp. 653-74]
Take-Home Essay posted + Civil War II [Ch. 17, pp. 674-99]
No School on Wed. Nov. 24 & Thurs. Nov. 25 --Thanksgiving Break
HW #3 Due + Reconstruction [lecture only--no readings, but see Ch. 18 for reference]
Last day of class – Review game for extra credit
*** Take-Home Essay Due + FINAL EXAMS (Week of December 6 – December 12)