IUPUI

HISTORY 105

American History I

3 Credit Hours, Spring 2006

Tuesday, 5:45 p.m. to 8:25 p.m.

Cavanaugh Hall 217

 

Instructor: Dr. Jim Giesen

Office Hours: before and after class and by appointment

E-mail:  jgiesen@iupui.edu

Course Description: History 105 is a brief introduction to US history from before the nation’s founding to the Civil War.  Through lectures, historical accounts, fiction, and film, we will develop an understanding of how “big” political, economic and social events changed ordinary Americans’ lives.   By the end of the semester students will have gained not only a better understanding of the events of the American past, but more importantly they will have a well-developed understanding of how history is made.  This class will also work with students to develop their analytical writing and speaking skills, core components of the school’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning.

Course Requirements:

1.      First and foremost you must do the assigned readings and come to class prepared not only to sit and take notes, but to engage new ideas, ask questions, argue, and agree.   See attendance policy below.

2.      There will be two mid-term exams and one final exam.  These exams will constitute multiple choice questions, short answers, and essays.  The final exam will have a cumulative component.

3.      You will write a 3-4 page critical essays on both Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and For Cause and Comrades.  Details on these writing assignments are available on OnCourse.

4.      Each class session we will have both formal and informal discussions.  Your participation in these will count for a significant portion of your overall grade and will be based on reading from the textbook and/or from additional materials I make available on OnCourse.

5.      There will be several short, unannounced quizzes throughout the semester.  These may not be made-up under any circumstances.

The grade breakdown will be as follows:

            Critical Essays          15% (each)

            Mid-Term I                  15 %

            Mid-Term II                 15%   

Final                            20%

            Quizzes                      10%

            Participation              10%


Assorted Class Policies:

·        Students are required to attend all classes.  You will only be able to turn-in assignments in class.  In addition to losing participation and quiz points for a day you miss, students will be docked 5% of your overall course grade for each absence beginning with your third.  Please do not bring any excuses, medical, family, work, or otherwise to me.  If you miss more than two classes you might consider dropping the class or taking an incomplete. 

·        I will take attendance promptly at the beginning of each class.  Please make every effort to be in the room when class starts.  If you come late, it is your responsibility to make sure I record that you are present.  Please see me at the break period or after class to ensure that your presence is recorded.

·        Please read your student handbook regarding academic honesty (http://life.iupui.edu/help/docs/Part_3all.html).  Plagiarism and/or cheating will not be tolerated.  If you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism please ask the instructor.

·        Please bring all reading assignments with you to class on the days they have been assigned. 

·        I reserve the right to make changes to these requirements, the grade breakdown, and the course schedule if needed.

 

Required Books:

Harriet A. Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

James McPherson, For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War

George Brown Tindall and David E. Shi, America: A Narrative History, Brief Sixth Edition, Volume One

 

Course Calendar

Please note: All reading and written assignments should be completed prior to class on the date listed below.

 

January 10: Introduction and When Worlds Collide

January 17: Planting Colonies, Planting Culture

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapters 1-3

January 24:  From Empire to Independence

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapter 4-5

January  31: The American Revolution

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapter 6

February 7:  EXAM & Shaping a Federal Union lecture

February 14:  Emerging Federalism

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapters 7-8

February 21: The Early Republic

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapter 9

February 28: Nationalism, Sectionalism & Jacksonian Democracy

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapters 10-11

March 7: The Nation Grows

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapters 12-13

March 21:  Slavery and the Old South

         Reading: Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl; Tindall & Shi, Chapter 15.

         DUE: Jacobs papers.

March 28:  EXAM & Rethinking the West

April 4:  Growing Sectionalism and Crisis

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapter 14

April 11:  The Civil War

         Reading: Tindall & Shi, Chapters 16-17

April 18:  Glory & The Civil War. 

         Reading: McPherson, For Cause and Comrades

         DUE: McPherson Papers

April 25:  The Civil War in Memory and Beyond

May 2: FINAL EXAM (5:45 to 7:45 p.m., regular classroom)