American History I                                                                                        H105: V639

MTR 1:00-3:15/CA215                                                                                                                     Summer 2003

 

Cherry L. Spruill

Office:     CA 201;   Office Phone:  278-9728  

Email:      cspruill@purdue.edu

Office Hrs: Tues. and Thurs., 3:15-4:15, & by appointment

 

Required Texts:

·        Brinkley, American History:  A Survey, Vol. I:  To 1877, 11th ed.

·        Thomas Paine, Common Sense

·        Stephen Nissenbaum, The Battle for Christmas

 

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 fill in the blank.  Point value of the first exam = 110 pts.

The second exam (final) will comprise an essay question, 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 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 “lecture tests” 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) Nissenbaum’s, The Battle for Christmas.  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/V639

 

Week 1                   Course Introduction and requirements; European Exploration

May 15                   Read Intro. And Ch. 1, Brinkley

 

Week 2                   Colonial America; Road to the Revolution

May 19-22             Ch. 2-4, Brinkley

 

Week 3                   No Class on Monday, 5/26

May 26-29             Road to Revolution

                Ch. 4-5, Brinkley

                TEST:  Common Sense, Thurs. 5/29

 

Week 4                  Constitution; Republic; Jeffersonian Era

June 2-5                 Ch. 6-7, Brinkley

                        TEST:  Lecture Test #1, Mon. 6/2

                                EXAM:  Midterm, Thurs. 6/5

 

Week 5                   Nationalism & Sectionalism; Jacksonian America; Economic Revolution

June 9-12               Ch. 8-10, Brinkley

                        TEST:  The Battle for Christmas,  Thurs. 6/12

 

Week 6                   Old South; Reform; Expansion and Crisis; Secession

June 16-19             Ch. 11-13, Brinkley

                                TEST:  Lecture Test #2,  Thurs. 6/19

 

Week 7                  War and Reconstruction

June 23 & 24         Ch. 14-15, Brinkley

                        6/23 – Catch Up/Review

                                FINAL EXAM:  Tues. 6/24

 

 

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Notes: