Elizabeth R. Osborn  Spring 2001

American History I: United States History to 1865
H105 Mon and Weds  section  C342 9:30-10:45 CA 215

Description:  This course introduces you to major political, economic, and social changes in the United States from the time of European "discovery" to the Civil War.  It will help you to develop analytical skills [not just what happened, but some of the reasons why] as well as learning how to articulate your ideas both verbally and in writing.  We will look at major events such as the American Revolution, the Market Revolution, and the growth of sectional tensions from the point of view of the ordinary American.

At the end of this course students will be able to:

•  Recognize the major events and people in American history through 1865  

• Analyze primary source documents and understand why this is an important skill  

• Articulate and support (on exams, papers, and in class discussions) a sound position on an historical topic  

•   Compare historical events from the perspective of different groups and account for any variation  

Readings: (available at the IUPUI bookstore and Folletts)  

Grading/Requirements*:

1) You will have 3 blue book exams.  These exams will cover content from the textbook, Boller, lecture, and discussion.  Exam format may include essays, identifications, multiple choice, mapping, and chronologies.  Each exam will be worth 20% of your final grade for a total of approximately 60%.

2) You will have 3 short answer reading quizzes. These quizzes will cover content from Boller.  Each quiz will be worth approximately 10% of your final grade.  I will count your 2 highest scores for a total of approximately 20% of your final grade.  There will be no make-up quizzes.

3) You will write one short paper, 3-5 pages typed, on the slave narrative of either Frederick Douglass or Harriet Jacobs.  The paper will be worth approximately10% of your final grade.

4) Your attendance and participation will make up the final 10% of your grade.  Participation requires both your general attendance and contributions to the discussion.  I will periodically assign short miscellaneous assignments as a part of this grade.

* In the calculation of the semester grade, improvement over the course of the semester is an important consideration and can raise the final grade above the mathematical average.  Every effort will be made to return all work within one week or by the 3rd class meeting after it is collected.  Papers may take up to 2 weeks.

Course Policies: 

Attendance: You are expected to attend all class meetings (as per new university policy, attendance will be taken) and to complete the readings before the first class meeting each week.  Attendance and participation are assigned as a part of your grade.  After three absences you will begin to lose points.  If you will be gone for job related requirements, sporting events, doctor’s appointments, illness, etc. use these three “free” absences. 

Any absences after three will only be excused at the instructor’s discretion and in extreme circumstances (hospitalization–not merely a doctor’s appointment, death in the family, etc.) and with appropriate documentation.  Please do not e-mail me telling me you will be absent–that is why you get three freebies.  After three absences,  if you feel that you have extenuating circumstances warranting an excuse, please come and see me in person during office hours.  More than 6 absences may result in an F for this class.

Due Dates: All assignments/papers are due at the beginning class.  Late assignments will lose one-third of a grade for each day they are late, including weekends and holidays. Make-ups and late papers are allowed only in exceptional circumstances with appropriate documentation.  Students who for extraordinary reasons cannot meet a deadline should discuss their situation with the instructors before the due date.

Oncourse/E-mail: Please familiarize yourself with the Oncourse system that is maintained by the University and accessible from the IUPUI homepage.  I will post announcements, assignments, extra credit ideas, hand outs to be printed and brought to class, and other important information at this site.  It is your responsibility to check Oncourse on a regular basis.  The system also allows you to easily contact me and your classmates–you simply click on a person’s name in order to send them an e-mail.

Plagiarism:*

A student must not adopt or reproduce ideas, words, or statements of another person without appropriate acknowledgment.  A student must give credit to the originality of others and acknowledge an indebtedness whenever he or she does any of the following:

a.  Quotes another person’s actual words, either oral or written;

b.  Paraphrases another person’s words, either oral or written’

c.  Uses another person’s ideas, opinion or theory; or

d.  Borrows facts, statistics, or other illustrative material, unless the information is common knowledge.

*(See Indiana University Academic Handbook, p.123)

Please note:

This syllabus and other course materials can be found on the homepage of the Department of History:  http://www.iupui.edu/~history/  Then choose the Schedule of Classes option.  Then Spring 2001.  You can locate this class by section number, meeting time, or my last name (Osborn).  Please see section on Oncourse above as well.  I will attempt to place handouts at this site or Oncourse, you may then print them at your own convenience. 

         Course Schedule and Reading Assignments*

*Reading assignment should be completed BEFORE the first class meeting of the week