AMERICAN HISTORY I (H105, section C391) –
Fall 2002
Lecture
Hall [LE] 101
Tuesdays
and Thursdays, 11-11:50 am
DISCUSSION
SECTIONS:
H105,
C392: Tuesdays, 12 noon-12:50 pm,
Cavanaugh Hall [CA] 221
H105,
C393: Tuesdays, 1-1:50 pm, Cavanaugh
Hall [CA] 221
H105,
C394: Thursdays, 10-10:50 am,
Cavanaugh Hall [CA] 221
H105, C395: Thursdays, 12 noon-12:50 pm,
Cavanaugh Hall [CA] 221
H105,
C396: Thursdays, 1-1:50 pm,
Cavanaugh Hall [CA] 221
Dr.
Marianne S. Wokeck Mr. Aaron Gulyas
Cavanaugh
Hall [CA] 503Q Cavanaugh
Hall [CA] 540
phone:
274-5820 [= voice mail] phone:
274-2571 [= voice mail]
e-mail:
MWOKECK@IUPUI.EDU e-mail:
AGULYAS@IUPUI.EDU
office
hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-10 am; office
hours: Tuesdays, 10-11am;
and
by appointment Thursday,
2-3 pm; and by appointment
Please note:
This syllabus and other course materials can be found linked to oncourse
(http://oncourse.iu.edu/) and on the home
page of the Department of History (http://www.iupui.edu/~history/).
BOOKS (available at University bookstore [not shelved very
systematically under the course number and instructor’s name]; Follet’s; and
online such as Amazon.com):
All students
should own and must read (the short
titles of the books by which they are often referred to in class are printed in
bold italics):
Edward L. Ayers, Lewis L. Gould, David M. Oshinsky, and Jean
R. Soderlund, American Passages: A
History of the United States. Brief Edition. Volume I: To 1877 (Fort Worth,
Tx.: Harcourt College Publishers, 2002).
Raymond M. Hyser and J. Chris Arndt, eds., Voices
of the American Past: Documents
in U.S. History. Volume One (Fort Worth, Tx.: Harcourt College Publishers,
2d ed., 2001).
Louis H. Gates, Jr., ed., Classic Slave Narratives
(New York: Signet Classic, 2002).
Students must read two out of the following three
narratives: The Life of Olaudah Equiano (pp. 15-204) is required for all students; students
can choose between Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (pp. 322-436)
or Incidents in the Life of a Slave
Girl (pp. 437-668).
Students must read one of the following two historical
novels:
Charles, Frazier, Cold Mountain (New York,
1997)–available in different paperback editions; or
Michael Shaara, The Killer Angels (New York,
1974)–available in different paperback editions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS:
This is a
survey course that introduces students to a variety of essential topics and
perspectives in American History. In particular, the course explores the
nation’s history through different kinds of readings and by addressing
questions about the texts and the reconstruction and interpretation of the
past. The reading and writing assignments constitute the core of the course,
which follows a format of lectures with separate class discussion. Students
need to calculate on average at least four hours each week of reading and
writing (in addition to the scheduled class time) in order to be properly
prepared to take part in class discussion and to complete the course
successfully.
Important
goals of this introductory course are to provide students with basic knowledge
about American history from the European’s exploration of the Americas to the
Civil War, including major events and institutions and outstanding people, and
with a better grasp of the complexities of American society and culture. This
is in accordance with the IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate Learning
(abbreviated to PULs), specifically to promote students’ intellectual depth and
breadth as well as their understanding of society and culture (for a complete
listing of the PULs, see http://www.iupui.edu/~history/principlesundergraduatelearning.htm).
In addition, fostering the students’ abilities to recognize the importance of
historical context and perspective and also the political, social, and ethical
dimensions of major decisions and developments in the past offers them
opportunities for practicing their critical thinking skills; challenges them to
integrate and apply their historical knowledge; and creates greater awareness
about the impact of personal choices and judgements on the society at large.
Moreover, the course is designed to develop students’ ability to make cogent written
and oral presentations of their research and historical analyses and to offer
them for discussion in the classroom and, more formally on paper, to the
instructor thus honing the students’ core communication and quantitative
skills.
Grading
will be based on several tests and
assignments: two mid-terms (the better of the two counts 20%) and a final
(30%). These in-class tests are a combination of identifications, true-false
questions, multiple-choice questions, short-answer, and essay questions. The
selection, summary, and analysis of one primary source from the Voices of the American Past or American Passages counts for 30 percent
of the semester grade. The remaining 20 percent of the semester grade is based
on the students’ practice of professional behavior and civility that normally
count among the prerequisites for college courses. Students who observe the
rules and instructions concerning punctuality, attendance, class participation,
and assignments will receive a satisfactory grade (C) for this portion of the
course; those who do not follow the rules of professional and civil conduct
will fail this part. Students whose participation in class discussion is above
average and those who submit a class journal that includes notes about lectures
and discussions as well as notes about the reading assignments can thereby
raise an average grade for this segment of the course. Content will count most
heavily in all written work, but obvious inattention to grammar, spelling, and
style will affect grade.
Students
who do satisfactory work can expect
the average grade of "C" (73-76 points on a scale of 100 points
maximum) in accordance with the academic regulations stated in the Bulletin,
p. 17; students whose work is above
average will receive grades of "C+" to "B+" (77 to 89
points on a scale of 100); for demonstrable excellence in their work students can achieve an "A-"
(90-92 points) or "A" (93-97 points); “A+” is for a score of 98-100
points. Less than 61 points represent unacceptable
work and hence carry the failing grade of "F"; "C-" to
"D-" (70 to 60 points on a scale of 100) constitute below average work. For 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. All
assignment have to be handed in on time. Tardiness carries a penalty: for every
day an assignment is late, one-third of a letter grade is subtracted from the
earned grade. For example, a B+
assignment will be lowered to a B-, if it was two days late.
More
detailed directions for class attendance and assignments are available on oncourse:
Attendance at all class meetings is a
regular part of the course. Students are responsible to sign the attendance rosters
for the lectures as well as for the class discussions. Realizing that some time
even with the best plans and intentions other aspects of students’ lives
conflict with their commitment to school, each student can miss four classes–no
questions asked–without failing the class (counting all lectures and
discussions together; not four lectures and four discussion sections
separately). Missing more than four classes carries a price, however: students
with unsatisfactory attendance records do not only risk low marks in the
professional performance section of the course but their final exam will be
cumulative in nature to make sure that they covered by themselves what they
missed in class.
It is
expected that students read the textbook and discussion materials in advance
and that they bring these materials to class on the scheduled dates. Informed
participation in class discussion contributes favorably toward the semester
grade (the frequency as well as the quality of students’ contributions count).
This course covers more than three hundred years of a complicated past and
requires a considerable amount of reading about often unfamiliar events and
themes, which depends on considerable discipline in the study habits of
students. It is smart to keep up with the textbook readings because it makes
participation in classes and preparation for exams easier.
In this
course the instructors rely on the IU oncourse system to keep in touch
and to make course materials available. More information on how the system is
to be used will be provided in class and in announcements posted on the course
site. Students are expected to check course announcements regularly, at least
once before each class.
Access oncourse at the following URL: http://oncourse.iu.edu; then select IUPUI;
enter your IUPUI username and password; click IN HIST H105 C391 AMERICAN
HISTORY I; course announcments; use oncourse
features such as Syllabus, Schedule, and In Touch. For help refer to Getting
Help With oncourse. Courses that
teach the use of oncourse are
offered regularly to all students. The instructors will be available to answer
basic questions.
In
addition, each student will also be responsible for selecting one primary
source from the Voices of the American
Past in order to prepare a ten-minute
presentation in class (discussion section) that summarizes it, puts it in
historical context, and analyzes it. All selections need the instructors’
approval, who–together with the student–will also determine when the assignment
is due. Students, who want to make this a collaborative project, can do so with
the instructors’ approval and direction for such group work. Students will also
submit to the instructors a formally
written version of their presentations. This means a five-page typed paper
(double-spaced, standard one-inch margins; with the name(s) of the student(s)
and date of the assignment clearly marked in the right-hand, top corner), which
is due in duplicate (important reminder to all students: be sure to save all of
your course work on disk until the end of the semester).
Each
student is encouraged to create and maintain a journal of notes about the
lectures; discussions; and readings.
Students
are expected to take tests and exams at the appointed time and hand in written
assignments in class the day they are due (assignments will not be accepted
after class on the designated date). There are no make-ups for missed in-class
exams and assignments. Students who for extraordinary reasons cannot meet a
deadline should discuss their situation with the instructors before the due date (if truly dire
circumstances do not allow that, get in touch with the instructor as soon as
possible–know your instructors’ names and phone numbers and e-mail addresses).
Polite as
well as professional conduct requires that students are punctual and keep any
scheduled appointment (that includes lectures and discussion sections). If unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances
prevent students from meeting at the appointed time, they should inform the
instructors of the situation as soon as possible.
University
policy is that the grade of "Incomplete" should be assigned only to
students who have successfully completed most of the course work and who have
been prevented by significant and unanticipated circumstances from finishing
all requirements. Removal of "Incomplete" grades is often troublesome
for both student and instructor, I will be reluctant to assign them.
Cheating on
exams and other forms of intellectual dishonesty, notably plagiarism, will not
be tolerated, will result in a failing grade on the work in question, may mean
a failing semester grade, and may lead to disciplinary action by the
university. Consult the Indiana University Bulletin, 2002: School of Liberal
Arts, p. 20-21, or the relevant parts about academic misconduct published
in the Code of Student Ethics for the university's rules on academic
misconduct.
COURSE OUTLINE and READING ASSIGNMENTS (assignments are due
at the beginning of the week unless noted or announced otherwise):
week 1 Organization and Introduction
Aug 22
week 2 Contact, Conflict, and Exchange in the Atlantic World to 1590
Aug 27, 29 American
Passages, chapter 1
week 3 Colonization of North America, 1590-1675
Sept 3, 5 American Passages, chapter 2
week 4 Crisis and Change, 1675-1720
Sept 10, 12 American Passages, chapter 3
1st
MID-TERM: September 12
week 5 The Expansion of Colonial British America, 1720-1763
Sept 17, 19 American Passages, chapter 4
week 6 Wars for Independence, 1764-1783
Sept 24, 26 American Passages, chapter 5
week 7* Toward a More Perfect Union, 1783-1788
Oct 1, 3 American Passages, chapter 6
week 8 The Federalist Republic, 1789-1799
Oct 8, 10 American Passages, chapter 7
DISCUSSION: “Olaudah Equiano,” in: Slave Narratives, pp. 15-204
week 9 The New Republic Faces a New Century, 1800-1814
Oct 15, 17 American Passages, chapter 8
2nd MID-TERM: Oct 17
week 10 Exploded Boundaries, 1815-1826
Oct 22, 24 American Passages, chapter 9
week 11 The Years of Andrew
Jackson, 1827-1845
Oct 29, 31* American Passages, chapter 10
week 12 Panic and Boom, 1837-1845
Nov 5, 7 American Passages, chapter 11
week 13 Expansion and Reaction, 1846-1854
Nov 12, 14 American Passages, chapter 12
DISCUSSION:
“Frederick Douglass” or “Harriet
Jacobs,” in: Slave Narratives, pp.
323-436 or pp. 437-668
week 14 Broken Bonds, 1855-1861
Nov 19, 21 American Passages, chapter 13
DISCUSSION:
Shaara, Killer Angels; or Frazier, Cold Mountain
week 15 Descent into War, 1861-1862
Nov 26 American
Passages, chapter 14
THANKSGIVING (28 Nov [= no
classes])
week 16 Blood and Freedom, 1863-1867
Dec 3, 5 American Passages, chapter 15
SUBMISSION
OF COURSE JOURNAL [= optional] (due: Dec 3; journals will be returned on Dec 5)
FINAL: Tuesday, December 10,
1-3 pm (http://registrar.iupui.edu/enrollment/102/final102.html)
NOTES: