History 111 – U.S. History, Beginning to1865
Fall 2011
Professor: Russell M. TremayneOffice: Aspen 125
Phone: 732-6885Email:
Course Description: This class investigates significant developments from colonial origins through the Civil War.
An emphasis will be placed on tracing the development of the American political system, economic institutions, and U.S. culture during the Colonial Period, the Age of Revolution, the National Era, and the Civil War. The purpose of this course is to enhance critical thinking skills and student understanding of the human condition. It is designed specifically to satisfy the CSI Mission, the criteria for General Education, the Social Science Department goals, and the History Program goals listed below.
CSI Mission Statement
The College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, provides educational, social, cultural,economic, and workforce development opportunities that meet the diverse needs of the communities it serves. CSI prepares students to lead enriched, productive, and responsible lives in a global society.
General Education Criteria
1. Provide a broad-based survey of a discipline and show the interconnectedness of knowledge.
2. Develop a discerning individual.
3. Practice critical thinking and problem-solving skill.
4. Promote awareness of social and cultural diversity.
5. Foster the balance between individual needs and the demands of society.
6. Reinforce reading, writing, speaking, and quantitative skills.
7. Encourage and inspire life-long learning.
8. Encourage creativity.
Social Science Department Mission Statement
The mission of the Social Science Department is to provide educational, social and cultural opportunities which encourage enriched, productive and responsible lives primarily by instructing students to understand, interpret, and apply Social Science discipline coursework.
Social ScienceDepartment Goals
1. Help students understand important facts, concepts and theories of Social Science and Education subjects.
2. Help students acquire techniques and methods used to gain new knowledge in the disciplines.
3. Help students learn to distinguish between fact and opinion.
4. Teach students to use evaluation, analysis and synthesis to interpret and solve problems.
5. Teach students to use different perspectives from the social sciences and education to make better informed decisions.
6. Help students acquire an informed understanding of various cultures.
7. Prepare students to transfer to a university.
History Program Mission Statement
In order to prepare learners to lead enriched, productive and responsible lives, the History Program prepares students to understand and interpret a variety of historical areas and perspectives with the intention of encouraging a lifelong love of the subject.
History Program Goals
1. Examine central themes of U.S. History and various cultures in Western Civilization and Latin America.
2. Use reading, lecture-discussion, and supplementary material to understand and interpret the past.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the past by writing interpretive essays.
4. Explore different perspective about the past.
5. Acquire an appreciation of the historical process which will encourage a lifelong study of the past.
Required Books:A People and a Nation. V I, M.B. Norton.
Forging the American Character. V. I,John Wilson.
Grades:Papers, 100 pts. each = 200
Mid Term Exam = 100
Final Exam = 100
Participation = 100
Total = 500
Participation points are determined primarily by attendance. More than three missed classes result in the loss of 5 points and each additional absence costs 5 points.
Letter grades are calculated on a standard scale:90% and above = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Honesty Policy: The CSI honesty policy explained on page 15-16 of the College Catalog applies to this class. Students must produce original work. Although the professor encourages the honor system, any cheating or plagiarism will result in failure for the class.
Course Requirements: Students must attend class and participate in discussions and activities, complete two3-7 page analytic papers, and prepare two essay exams, a mid term and final.
Outcomes Assessment: Objective -
1. Enhance critical thinking skills.
2. Improve writing ability.
3. Examine historical developments in early U.S. history.
4. Further the understanding of the human condition.
The Social Science Department and History Program goals listed above are also course objectives. Essay exams will be the primary tool used to assess student progress and development. More specifically, mid-term and final exams will assess student command of facts and concepts, measure their ability to distinguish fact from opinion, and test their skill using analysis and synthesis.Essays reinforce reading and writing skills, encourage life long learning and creativity, and make students draw reasonable inferences from observations.Reading tests examine a student’s critical thinking and problem solving skills.They force students to use analysis to break a whole idea into its component parts and use synthesis to bring component parts together into a concept.
History 111 Course Outcomes Aligned with GE Criteria, SS Goals and History Program Objectives:
Students will: / G E Criteria / SS Goals / History Program Objectives1. demonstrate an understanding of important developments / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 / 1,3,4,6,7 / 1,2,3,4,5
2. write essay exams / 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 / 1,2,3,4
3. write an analytical paper / 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 / 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 / 1,3,4,5
4. participate in class / 2,5,7 / 1,4,6,7 / 1,2,4,5
Outcomes Assessment: Alignment of course outcomes with course assessment methods.
Analytical paperEssay ExamsParticipation
XXX
1.______
XXX
2.______
XXX
3.______
XXX
4.______
On-Line Course Evaluation Statement: Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course. Evaluations are very important to assist the teaching staff to continually improve the course. Evaluations are available online at Evaluations open up two weeks prior to the end of the course. T he last day to complete an evaluation is the last day of the course. During the time the evaluations are open, students can complete the course evaluations at their convenience from any computer with Internet access, including in the open lab in the Library and in the SUB. When students log in, they should see the evaluations for the courses in which they are enrolled. Evaluations are anonymous. Filling out the evaluation should only take a few minutes. Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated!
Student Eligibility for Disability Services: To determine eligibility and secure services, students should contact the coordinator of Disability Services at their first opportunity after registration for a class. Student Disability Services is located on the second floor of the TaylorBuilding on the Twin Falls Campus. (208) 732-6260 (voice) or (208) 734-9929 (TTY), or email .
Class and Reading Schedule
Week One – Introduction to U.S. History. Read Chapter 1, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 1.
Week Two –Colonial America. Read Chapter 2, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 2.
Week Three - Read Chapter 3, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 3.
Week Four - Read Chapter 4, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 4.
Paper I Due September 16.
Week Five – Read Chapter 5, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 5.
Week Six – Read Chapter 6, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 6.
Week Seven – Read Chapter 7, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 7.
Week Eight - Read Chapter 8, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 8.
Mid Term Exam – October 14
Week Nine –Read Chapter 9, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 9.
Week Ten – Read Chapter 10, Norton. Read Wilson,Chapter 10.
Week Eleven – Read Chapter 11, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 11.
Week Twelve – Read Chapter 12, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 12.
Paper II DueNovember 11.
Week Thirteen – The Civil War. Read Chapter 13, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 13.
Week Fourteen - Read Chapter 14, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 14.
Week Fifteen – Read Chapter 15, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 15.
Week Sixteen – Read Chapter 16, Norton. Read Wilson, Chapter 16.
Final Exam – December 9.