Eastfield College American History 1301 4401 4404 SPRING 2012 Jan 17 May 10 2012 Course Section Number 4401 4404 Instructor Michael Walker Email mwalker dcccd edu Phone 972 860 7166 Office LC 215 Office Hours by appointment COURSE DESCRIPTION We will survey the history of the United States from the early days of European settlement on the American continent through the establishment of colonies the creation of a nation and conclude with the war that nearly destroyed the nation We will focus on the major events movements and issues of this time TEXTBOOK Brands Breen Williams Gross American Stories A History of the United States Volume One ISBN 0 205572693 COURSE DESIGN The course is divided into five sections and for each section there are a number of activities you are required to complete For each section you will read from the textbook participate in a discussion forum and take an exam covering several chapters In addition to the section work you are required to compile a journal This will consist of your analysis of current events more specific instructions will be provided GRADING Activity 5 Section Exams Discussion Posts Paper Total 520 Points A 460 519 Points B 400 459 Points C Points 100 points each 10 points per section 30 points 345 399 Points D less than 345 Points F Total X5 500 X5 50 X1 30 580 Points COURSE SCHEDULE SECTION ONE All work for Section One is to be completed by Feb 11 Discovery through the colonial period 1 Reading Chapters 1 3 in the textbook 2 Discussion Participate in the discussion forum at least twice 3 Exam Complete the exam by 11 00 p m on Feb 11 SECTION TWO All work for Section Two must be completed by March 3 Revolutionary War to Thomas Jefferson 1 Reading Chapters 4 6 in the textbook 2 Discussion Participate in the discussion forum at least twice 3 Exam Complete the exam by 11 00 p m on March 3 SECTION THREE All work for Section Three must be completed by March 31 Nationalism through Reform Movements 1 Reading Chapters 7 9 in the textbook 2 Discussion Participate in the discussion forum at least twice 3 Exam Complete the exam by 11 00 p m on March 31 SECTION FOUR All work for Section Four must be completed by April 21 Moving West and the Civil War 1 Reading Chapters 10 12 in the textbook 2 Discussion Participate in the discussion forum at least twice 3 Exam Complete the exam by 11 00 p m on April 21 SECTION FIVE All work for Section Five must be completed by May 10 Moving West and the Civil War 1 Reading Chapters 13 15 in the textbook 2 Discussion Participate in the discussion forum at least twice 3 Exam Complete the exam by 11 00 p m on May 10 Paper Paper is due on May 1 through Safe Assign Last Day to Withdraw with a W is April 12 EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES The objective of a social and behavioral science component of a core curriculum is to increase student s knowledge of how social and behavioral scientists discover describe and explain the behaviors and interactions among individuals groups institutions events and ideas Such knowledge will better equip students to understand themselves and the roles they play in addressing the issues facing humanity Therefore the exemplary educational objectives for this class are To employ the appropriate methods technologies and data that social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods social structures and cultures To use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues To analyze the effects of historical social political economic cultural and global forces on the areas under study To comprehend the origins and evolution of U S and Texas political systems with a focus on the growth of political institutions the constitutions of the U S and Texas federalism civil liberties and civil and human rights To understand the evolution and current role of the U S in the world To differentiate and analyze historical evidence documentary and statistical and differing points of view To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research To analyze critically assess and develop creative solutions to public policy problems To recognize and assume one s responsibility as citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself be engaging in public discourse and by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy To identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures WITHDRAWAL POLICY If you are unable to complete this course it is your responsibility to withdraw formally The withdrawal request must be received in the Registrar s Office Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade usually an F If you drop a class or withdraw from the college before the official drop withdrawal deadline you will receive a W Withdraw in each class dropped For more information about drop deadlines refer to the current printed Credit Class Schedule contact the Admissions Registrar s Office at 972 860 7167 Room C119 or contact the division office Students who are receiving any form of financial aid should check with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from classes Withdrawals may affect your eligibility to receive further aid and could cause you to be in a position of repayment for the current semester Students who fail to attend or participate after the drop date are also subject to this policy STOP BEFORE YOU DROP For students who enrolled in college level courses for the first time in the fall of 2007 Texas Education Code 51 907 limits the number of courses a student may drop You may drop no more than 6 courses during your entire undergraduate career unless the drop qualifies as an exception Your campus counseling advising center will give you more information on the allowable exceptions Remember that once you have accumulated 6 non exempt drops you cannot drop any other courses with a W Therefore please exercise caution when dropping courses in any Texas Public institution of higher learning including all seven of the Dallas County community colleges For more information you may access https ww1dcccd edu coursedrops STUDENT E MAIL Legal privacy issues prevent you instructor from discussing your work or your grades on commercial email accounts If