This is a course in American history covering the first settlement of the western hemisphere by Paleoindians to the end of Reconstruction.  The course is divided into five units covering distinct periods.  In each unit, you will learn about the political, geographical, social, cultural and economic developments of that particular era.  Maps, music, pictures, movies, and other such aids will enhance lectures, which will be the basis for your unit tests.  In these tests, you will demonstrate your knowledge of historical facts through multiple choice/short answer, and you will demonstrate your understanding of the themes of the differnent eras through essay portions.  You will also read three books on a similar subject – in this case, slavery – for which you will complete three homework assignments and one paper.  The homework assignments are designed to demonstrate your understanding of the themes covered in the book, and the paper will demonstrate your ability to compare and contrast elements of at least two of the books. At the end of this course, you should have enhanced your reading, writing and analytical skills, as well as expanded your knowledge of historical events.  With luck, you will also no longer hate history (if you, at this point, do hate history), and will be inspired to continue learning about history for the rest of your life.

 

 

1)                  Out of Many: A History of the American People, v. 1, Brief 3^rd edition, John Mack Faragher, et al.

2)                  The Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, unabridged, Olaudah Equiano

3)                  Narrative of Sojourner Truth, unabridged, Sojourner Truth

4)                  Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, written by himself, Frederick Douglass

 

ü      5 Tests

ü      3 Homework Assignments

ü      1 Paper

 

Your grade will be composed of the average of each test, the paper, and the sum of the homework assignments.

 

ü      Tests:  100 points each.  50% multiple choice/short answer, 50% essay.  No cumulative final.

 

ü      Homework:  30-35 points each. Typed (5 points off for handwritten papers).  Grammar, organization, and spelling count. Short answer questions on slave narratives.  The sum of these three assignments will count as equal to a test/paper grade.

 

ü      Paper:  100 points.  5 pages.  Typed (5 points off for handwritten papers). Grammar, organization, and spelling count. Due on the last class day.  You will be given a list of questions, one of which you will answer in an essay.  These questions will ask you to compare/contrast a particular element of at least two of the slave narratives.

 

1)                  Tardiness:  Be in class on time, and stay the full class period.

2)                  Absences:  Attendance is not part of your grade.  Attendance, however, is crucial to passing the class because test material will come primarily from the lecture.

3)                  Late assignments:  You will lose 5 points for each class day during the week that your assignment is late.  You will lose 5 more points for each weekend that passes between the due date and the date that you turn in the assignment.  These assignments are due at the beginning of class.  If you come in at the end of the class to turn in your assignment, you will lose 5 points.

4)                  Missed tests:  You must have proof as to why you missed a test (doctor’s note, receipt from the mechanic, computer repair shop, etc.).  You must make up the test within a week of your return to class.  The time of the make up test will be arranged with the instructor.  The make up test will not be the exact same test as taken by the other students, and will be more difficult.

5)                  Dropping the class:  The instructor will not withdraw students from the class without a written request from the student.  You are responsible for dropping yourself from the class.  If you cease attending the class, but also do not withdraw from the class, you will probably receive a grade of F.

6)                  Cheating and plaigairism will not be tolerated and will result in disicplinary action and a grade of F.

7)                  Students are responsible for activity on their computer/e-mail accounts.

8)                  The instructor reserves the right to alter any part of this syllabus except the class meeting time.

 

 

 

This schedule is subject to change with the pace of the class, acts of nature, acts of the university administration, and any other unforseen events.

 

The reading assignments should be done before the class day on which they are listed.

 

&Unit 1:  European Expansion and Colonial America, c. 1492-1763

Dates:  January 7, 9, 14, 16, 23.        

NOTE:  Monday, January 21 is a holiday!!!!!

Reading Assignments:  Out of Many, chapters 1-5

                                            Olaudah Equiano

Test #1:  Monday, January 28

 

 

&Unit 2:  Revolutionary America and the Early National Era, 1763-1815

Dates:  January 30, February 4, 6, 11, 13

Reading Assignments:  Out of Many, chapters 6-9

                                                Narrative of Sojourner Truth

Homework Due:  Olaudah Equiano, February 4

Test #2: Monday, February 18

 

&Unit 3:  Jacksonian America, 1815-1840s

Dates:  February 20, 25, 27, March 4, 6, 18

NOTE:  Monday, March 11 and Wednesday, March 13 are Spring Break!!!

Reading Assignments:  Out of Many, chapters 10-13

                                                Frederick Douglass

Homework Due:  Sojourner Truth, February 25

Test #3:  Wednesday, March 20

 

&Unit 4: Manifest Destiny and the Crisis of the 1850s, 1840-1860

Dates:  March 25, 27, April 1, 3

Reading Assignments:  Out of Many, chapters 14-15

Homework Due:  Frederick Douglass, April 1

Test #4:  Monday, April 8

 

&Unit 5:  Civil War and Reconstruction, 1860-1877

Dates:  April 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29

Reading Assignments:  Out of Many, chapters 16-17

Paper Due:  Monday, April 29 (last class day)