American History I H105: X487

MTR 3:30-5:45/CA215 Summer 2002

Cherry L. Spruill

Office: CA 243C; Phone: ___________ (Home phone: 765-447-8985)

Email: cspruill@purdue.edu

Office Hrs: Tues. 1:00-2:00; Thurs. 1:00-2:00 & by appointment

Required Texts:

· Brinkley, American History: A Survey, Vol. I: To 1877, 10^th ed.

· Marcus & Burner, America Firsthand: From Settlement to Reconstruction, Vol. I, 5^th ed.

· Thomas Paine, Common Sense

· Harriet H. Robinson, Loom and Spindle, or Life Among the Early Mill Girls

Course Description:

This course will examine the changing social, cultural, political, and economic scene in the United States from the era of English colonization to 1877. We will survey both the accomplishments and the conflicts in America’s domestic and international affairs as the English colonies transformed, through revolution, into a united nation, only to be torn apart by civil war. As 1877 came to a close, political reconstruction in the South ended and the United States stood on the verge of becoming, within decades, a world superpower.

Course Objectives:

The objectives of this course are multifaceted and are based on the Principles of Undergraduate Learning. (The Principles of Undergraduate Learning can be accessed at http://www.iupui.edu/~history/principlesundergradlearning.htm.) In addition to broadening and deepening students’ factual knowledge of history of U. S. to 1877, we will focus on developing analytical and critical thinking skills. Through the analysis of primary sources, we will come to understand how historians interpret history, and we will learn to integrate information from primary and secondary sources into effective essays in much the same way as historians do. In addition, lectures and assigned readings are designed to present multiple perspectives and points of view on the history of America, its people, culture, and place in a worldwide setting.

Grade Determination: (Total Points in this course=420)

Grades will be determined based on the course requirements of exams, tests, and attendance as stated below:

1) Exams: There will be two exams in this course. The first exam (midterm) will consist of one blue-book essay question and identifications or fill in the blank. Point value of the first exam = 110 pts.

The second exam (final) will comprise an essay question, identifications and/or fill in the blank, and a section of multiple choice questions. The multiple choice questions on the final exam will be comprehensive. Point value of final exam = 110 pts.

A study guide will be distributed approximately one week before each exam, and review sessions will be held before each exam if desired. The study guide will contain several essay questions, one of which you will be required to answer. The question chosen for the exam will be determined by the roll of a die and will thus be left to fate. Total exam points = 220.

2) Tests: There will be four tests in this course, each worth 50 points with an allotted time of approximately 35 minutes. Two of the tests will be multiple choice with questions drawn from lecture material in each half of the semester. These “lecture tests” will be given shortly before each exam and are designed to help you be better prepared for your exams. The tests will be returned to you in the next class meeting so that you can utilize them to help determine any weak spots in your knowledge, have time to study further, and produce a very successful exam.

The other two tests will be in-class essays based on: 1) Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and 2) Harriet Robinson’s Loom and Spindle. The essays will require a short analysis (approximately 2 pages) of the books, each in the context of its own time. The essay question on the book tests will not be given in advance, but I will give a good sense of what to focus on as you read each book.

Total test points = 200.

Note regarding make-ups: Make up exams and tests will be given only in emergency situations, will require documentation, and will be determined at the discretion of the instructor.

3) Attendance: Attendance is required for all classes and, in keeping with university policy, attendance will be taken during each class meeting. Two (2) absences will be permitted during the semester, no questions asked. Attendance becomes a factor in determining your grade, however, because any additional absences beyond the two “free” ones will result in a reduction in final grade of (2) two points per unexcused absence. Note that those two points per missed class can add up quickly and have been known to cause a failing grade for the course. Use your two “free” absences as an insurance policy in case of illness, car trouble, etc., and remember that no exams, tests, or other work may be made up if you are absent without an emergency situation and documentation.

Note regarding grade determination: In computing final grades, this course takes into positive account: 1) students who show improvement over the semester, 2) students who have attended class regularly, 3) and students who have sought to improve their performance by utilizing my office hours and review sessions.

Total Grade Point Breakdown

A=420-378 B=377-336 C=335-294 D=293-252 F=251-0

Course Outline 105/X487

June 24 Intro., European Exploration (Brinkley Ch. 1; America Firsthand (AFH) readings 1-3 (NOTE: Always read introductions to each section in AFH)

England and her Colonies: Chesapeake, Caribbean (Brinkley Ch. 1-2; AFH

4-6 & Visual Portfolio pp.43-47)

June 25 England and her Colonies: New England, Restoration Colonies (Brinkley Ch. 2; AFH 8-12)

Colonial America: Social, Economic, Religious Mentalite (Brinkley Ch. 3, AFH 8-12)

June 27 Colonial America: The Enlightenment; Great Awakening (Brinkley Ch. 3; AFH 13-14)

Road to Revolution: From Empire to Independence (Brinkley Ch. 4;

AFH 15-18)

July 1 Road to Revolution - continued

The American Revolution & its Legacy (Brinkley Ch. 5; AFH 19)

July 2 Building the New Republic: Confederation and Constitution (Brinkley Ch. 5-6; AFH 20)

TEST: Common Sense

July 8 The Constitution: Competing Visions (Brinkley Ch. 6)

The Jeffersonian Era (Brinkley Ch. 7-8; AFH 21-24)

LECTURE TEST #1

July 9 Internal Conflicts of Westward Expansion; War with Britain(Brinkley Ch. 7-8)

The “Era of Good Feelings”; Nationalism & Sectionalism (Brinkley Ch. 8)

July 11 EXAM #1

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July 15 Jacksonian America: Politics of the Common Man? (Brinkley Ch. 9; AFH 25)

Indian Removal; Bank Controversy (Brinkley Ch. 9; AFH 26)

July 16 America’s Economic Revolution (Brinkley Ch. 10; AFH 27-28)

July 18 American Renaissance: Religion, Romanticism, Reform (Brinkley Ch. 12; AFH 34-35)

July 22 Reforms- continued; The Old South: Cotton, Culture, & the “Peculiar

Institution” (Brinkley Ch. 11; AFH 29-31, 33 & Visual Portfolio pp. 257-265)

TEST: Loom and Spindle

July 23 Manifest Destiny & Westward Migration;

Territorial Conflicts and Crisis of Union (Brinkley Ch. 13)

July 25 Crisis of Union-continued; Civil War & Society, 1861-1865 (Brinkley Ch.

14; AFH 36-40)

July 29 Reconstruction & Reunion 1865-1877 (Brinkley Ch. 15; AFH 41-42 &

Visual Portfolio pp. 323-331)

LECTURE TEST #2

July 30 Catch Up/Review Session

Final Exam: 105/X487 = you choose: Aug. 1 or Aug.5 3:30-5:45 pm CA215

Notes: