HIST 1700: American Civilization

HIST 1700: American Civilization

High School: Bingham High School
Andrea Roundy, Instructor

Phone: 801-256-5100

Email:

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 7:15-7:25, 3:00-3:30, or by appointment

Course Description: An analysis of American civilization that traces social, cultural, economic, and political developments in the United States. May be taken to complete the American Institutions requirement (grade of C or better required in order to obtain credit).

Required Textbook & Materials:

Henretta, James A., America: A Concise History (6th Ed.) (This book is available in two halves or a combined version. I would recommend the combined version for purchase. It is available online through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other similar websites. There are also several book rental websites, like bookrenter.com or chegg.com, that offer an alternative to buying the book. Bear in mind that these sites usually rent books by the semester and we will be using it for the whole year so you’d need to rent it multiple times. Additionally, my students from last year will be selling their textbooks at a used book rate. Their names and phone numbers will be available during the first few weeks of school.)

Additional readings as assigned

A binder for class notes and portfolio assignments

A notebook for journal writing and discussion questions

Course Requirements: In order to succeed in this course you will be required to be present in class at all times. Much of the course will be discussion based and therefore the completion of required reading prior to class is extremely important. You will be required to participate in discussions as well as read and respond to any outside material provided by the instructor. In addition to coursework, the second half of this course will culminate in the completion of an 8-10 page research paper pertaining to US history.

Course Objectives: Per Weber State University: Utah State Code 53B-16-103(b) reads: "A student shall demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States prior to receiving a bachelor's degree or teaching credential." Successful completion of this course will satisfy this "American Institutions" requirement; however, it does not fulfill the University's diversity requirement. As a result, the course meets instructional objectives in each of the following areas:

History: Students will gain a historical perspective of American Civilization, to include a basic knowledge of the historical method with its reliance on evidence, debate, skepticism, criticism, and the recognition of bias, and of ways historians derive theories about the nature of the past.

Principles: Students will contemplate and articulate a wide range of the values inherent in American Civilization, to include the ideals of republicanism, democracy, due process of law, equal protection, inalienable rights, and civil rights, and demonstrate an ability of distinguish among these ideals.

Form of Government: Students will understand the institutions and practices of government as they evolved during the colonial period and the Revolution, and their revisions since then, to include a comprehension of the workings of government in the Unites States at the national, state, and local levels.

Economic System: Students will comprehend the transformation of the United States from an agrarian-based to an industrial-based economy and the wide range of consequences for Americans of economic change, to include analyses of capitalism, communitarianism, and socialism as they have emerged in theory and practice.

Diversity: Students will grasp the rich cultural heritage of the American people and the ways race, creed, color, national origin, gender, and other distinctive qualities and characteristics among groups and individuals have shaped the American experience and have contributed to the vitality of the nation.

In addition to the WSU course objectives, I have additional goals for students in my class:

Critical Thinking: Part of understanding and appreciating history is realizing that there are multiple interpretations of history and being able to form your own opinions based on the information you’re given. Through class discussions, our examination of primary sources, academic writings, and personal research, you will learn to become a critical consumer of information.

Civic Engagement: Students will consider what it means to be a citizen and contribute positively to our society. You will also be given opportunities to learn how to interact in a civil manner, even when you disagree.

Grading:

93%-100%=A74%-76% = C

90%-92% = A-70%-73% = C-

87%-89% = B+67%-69% = D+

84%-86% = B64%-66% = D

80%-83% = B-60%-63% = D-

77%-79% = C+<60% = E (Failing)

You will be graded on a combination of quizzes, class participation, a midterm and a final, research papers and written assignments. Please remember that a grade between C- and D- will fulfill your high school U.S. History requirement, but will not earn university credit.

Attendance: The award of credit is this class is subject to the conditions outlined in the Bingham High School Attendance Policy.

Tardy policy: All students are expected to be seated and ready for instruction at the start of each class. This is a university course and as such, I expect you to be responsible and get to class on time. If your tardiness begins to distract from our class, there will be consequences. Excessive tardiness will result in loss of participation points.

Behavior: By this time in your academic career, I expect you to know and understand what proper classroom behavior entails. I fully support the administration and their policies concerning dress and behavior. That means that if you fail to comply with those dress and grooming standards I will refer you to the administration. I expect you to treat others and their property with respect and courtesy. This includes using electronics only in approved instances. I will let you know when or if you can listen to music or look things up on your phone, but outside of those times, I will confiscate those items to be picked up at the end of class. If this occurs more than twice, I with then turn the phone over to administration to be retrieved by your parents. Basically, I am going to treat you as university students insofar as you justify that treatment. I don’t want to be your babysitter and I expect you to take responsibility for yourselves and your decisions. If you don’t, I will be forced to talk to you and/or your parents about it and neither of us really wants that.

Late/Make-up Work: This course is largely lecture and class discussion based and it will be difficult to excel if you’re not here every lesson. Part of your grade will be based on participation in those class discussions, which cannot be made up if you miss class. You’ll have 3 class periods in which to earn your points. If you are absent, you are responsible to get the notes from a classmate. An excused absence does not excuse you from knowing the content for that day or completing the work you missed. Assignments that were due when you were absent are due the day you return, or you can email them to me. You will have one week to complete assignments that were given the day of your absence for full credit. You will be penalized 25% for an assignment that is turned in within two days (not two class periods) of its due date and 50% if it’s later than two days. If you miss a test or assignment because of an unexcused absence, you cannot make up the work and forfeit those points.

How to succeed in this class:

This is a university course and as such, it will be more difficult than what you are accustomed to. If you put in the necessary effort, however, it will also be one of the most valuable classes you’ll ever take. You need to complete all the necessary assignments as well as continuously review the class notes in order to successfully achieve at the highest levels in this class. If you put in the required work, you will learn skills that will serve you well in whatever the future brings. Both the content and expectations of this course are college level. We will not shy away from discussing topics that are controversial and divisive, but I expect that you, as mature college students, will have the appropriate critical faculties necessary for engaging with the material in an objective manner and allow everyone to safely express their opinions.

WSU Student Code of Conduct

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Please note that cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in no points being awarded for that assignment or test. This includes discussing the content of a test or quiz with students who have yet to take it.

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