American History I
H105 Fall, 2000
Saturday 9:00-11:40
Professor R. Henry
Office Hours: 12:00-1:00
E-Mail: Rachenry@iupui.edu
Introduction:
American history is a very important part of our lives and it does not just include understanding how our past influences our future. Studying American history helps us learn to analyze how and why social, political, and cultural factors have culminated to create historical events, such as Slavery/Abolitionism, the Revolutionary War, the Constitution, and the Industrial Revolution. In our survey of American history this course will cover a time span of over 200 years (From the discovery of America to the 1870's).
Since this course meets once a week, I will alternate how the class will be broken up. On some days we will have lectures in the first half and on others days your groups will conduct class discussions based on the readings first. In hopes of creating an interesting class discourse, I have selected a concise text, three outside readings, and many interesting handouts. This may seem like a lot of reading; but, do not worry; I do not want you to memorize all this information. The most important concepts that I expect each student to learn from this course are: 1) to be familiarized with the social, political, and cultural events that sparked excitement on many different occasions; 2) to help students learn critical analysis to understand the whats, whys, and hows that shape the panoramic view of America and Americans, and 3) to learn to communicate their ideas clearly and concisely on paper 4) to understand what historians do and why their jobs are so important 5) to help students know the difference between a primary and secondary research source.
Course Materials:
All Students are expected to have and read:
(All Books are available at the IUPUI Bookstore and Main Library Reserves)
Reference Books:
(You are expected to purchase these books because they are very important!)
Text Book and Outside Readings:
Course Requirements and Expectations:
(Students must fulfill these requirements to pass)
1) A midterm and a final exam will include fill in the blanks and essay questions. The midterm exam will be administered in class. Your final exam test date will be announced later, but it will be in the last week after classes have concluded. Students are expected to take all tests and exams at the appointed times. No exceptions will be made unless we have discussed any difficulties 2 weeks prior to the exams.
2) Two 2-3 page critical book reviews based on the outside readings: Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, and Review from book selected from book list (to be handed out at a later date). A handout will be distributed in the second week of class explaining how to write a book review. At the time the handout is given please, please ask questions!!! If you get a grade lower than what you expected you may rewrite the first book review, as long as you do so within the next week after it is handed back. Your papers will be due at the beginning of class, none will be accepted afterwards. The only way I will accept a late paper is if there are dire circumstances that were beyond your control (I must have proof of this incident).
3) There will be handouts that have readings complimenting the textbook materials. You are expected to read and answer the essay questions in preparation for class discussion. I advise you to do this part of your homework because five of these assignments will be taken up and graded without prior announcement. The essay questions will be counted as quizzes. If it appears that no one is doing the readings I will begin taking up the essay questions on a weekly basis and the maximum amount of points required to pass this class will increase. I will pass out an amendment to the syllabus reflecting this change if it becomes necessary.
4) Each student can miss 3 classes--no questions asked-- without any difficulties. Otherwise, once you have missed three classes attendance is mandatory. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class so please be there. A letter grade will be taken off your final grade for every class that is missed after the first three. You are also expected to participate in class discussion. It will hurt your grade considerably if you do not participate. Those that have problems speaking in class should come see me for helpful hints.
5) Cheating on exams and other forms of intellectual dishonesty, notably plagiarism, will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade for the work in question. If you are caught plagiarizing it could also result in a failing grade for the semester and it could lead to disciplinary actions by the university. Consult the Indiana University Bulletin, 1998-2000: School of Liberal Arts, p.20-21, or the relevant parts about academic misconduct published in the Code of Student Ethic for the university's rules.
6) Incompletes in this class will be granted if and only if there has been a meeting of the minds (by professor and student) 2 weeks before the end of classes. WARNING There will be no exceptions made to this rule unless there is a life-threatening emergency.
Grading:
The grading system will be based on a scale from 0 to 450. Four hundred and fifty points are the maximum points available (that is if everyone completes the essay assignments and participates in class discussions).
Final Exam - 100 points
Midterm - 100 points
Essay Questions/Quizzes - 25 points each for a total of 125 points possible
Critical Reviews - 50 points each with 100 points possible
Class participation - 25 points of which 10 points goes to your role as discussion leader for your group.
Final Grades will be determined according to the following scale:
A - 410-450
B- 369-409
C- 328-368
D - 287-327
F - 246-286
Schedule of Events:
When the word chapter is used it refers to the Alan Brinkley's Unfinished Nation. The essays in quotes refer to the packet readings.
| August 26 | Introduction to the course and read "Sir Walter Raleigh," and "Aztec Account of the Spanish Invasion" handout in class |
| September 2 | Chapters 1,2- have read "The European Conquest of America," "The Mayflower Compact, 1620," "A Royal Commission Reports on Bacon's Rebellion" and "Jamestown" handouts |
| September 9 | Chapter 3 - have read "Puritan Order," Deputy Husbands," and "Gotlieb Mittleberger Describes Indentured Servitude," and "Two African-Americans Recall their Enslavement" handouts |
| September 16 | Chapters 4,5 - have read "The Origin and Consolidation of Un-free Labor," "Portraits of Slavery," "Resolution for Independence," and "Common Sense" handouts |
| September 23 | Chapters 6,7 - have read "James Madison, The Federalist," "Patrick Henry, On the Proposed Constitution," "Creating the Constitution," "The Framers and the People" and "Marbury v. Madison" handouts |
| September 30 | Chapter 8 - have read "Federalist and Republicans," The 'Monroe Doctrine', 1823," and "the "Virginia Debates" handout |
| October 7 | Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings read from the author's notes to-the end of Chapter 6. |
| October 14 | 1st Critical Book Review is Due at the beginning of Class Jefferson cont'd read chapters 7 to the end of the Appendix Notes Jefferson book discussion cont'd |
| October 21 | Midterm Exam (Scandals Readings to be announced) |
| October 28 | have read Jefferson Scandals excerpt readings |
| November 4 | Chapter 9 |
| November 11 | Chapter 10 - have read "The Jacksonian Democracy," and "Slavery and then Jacksonians" handouts |
| November 18 | Solomon Northup read book. |
| December 2 | Chapters 11,12 have read "Sarah Grimke, the Legal Disabilities of Women" |
| December 9 | Chapters 13,14 2nd Critical Book Review is Due at the beginning of class on bookselected from list |
| December 16 | the Final Exam (The exam will be on Saturday during regular class time) |