Michael Walker mwalker dcccd edu Office LC 215 United States History 1301 4004 MWF 10 10 11 05 Office Hours MWF 10 11 TR 8 9 Phone 972 860 7166 Spring 2012 Room N113 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 History and the study of history is not simply recognition of chronologies and timelines nor is it only concerned with presidents and wars We will consider the lives of ordinary people and look to understand the effect of major events on their lives With each person movement event we study our shared objective is that you will be able to identify the cultural economic and political meaning of these areas of study Some basic information such as dates and places can be crucial in fully understanding a topic but greater emphasis will be placed on the ability to know the significance of an event REQUIREMENTS You are expected to attend and participate in class read the assignments before class take 4 exams complete in class lab exercises and complete a project Attendance Participation Attendance is a must Exams will cover material from the lecture as well as from the text Five absences are considered excessive and will lower your final grade 5 absences will lower your final point total 10 points Over 5 absences will lower your point total 20 points However active participation in class discussion is encouraged and can affect your final grade in a positive way Participation and questions are encouraged In Class Lab Work We will have 3 lab assignments These will be done in class You will be given a document and be asked to write about it These cannot be made up If you are absent from class on the days we do lab work you cannot make up those points Exams There will be 4 exams the fourth will be the final exam Each will consist of a section of multiple choice short answer and true false questions The tests will cover material from both the reading and the lectures Each exam will be worth 100 points You will be allowed to drop one of your exam scores and the remaining three will count toward your point total You may not drop your final exam grade If you miss an exam for whatever reason excused or unexcused that will be the exam that is dropped As a result of this drop policy there will be no makeup exams No exceptions Project This will cover a topic from the course which you find interesting I will help you with a topic if you have trouble choosing one The project may be a research position paper a PowerPoint presentation for the class or a YouTube video If you choose to do a paper it needs to be at least four full pages double spaced and typed More information is coming to explain this assignment Computers and printers are available at the school if you do not have one This project is worth 20 points Projects may be turned in early Projects may not be turned in late No exceptions We will discuss this on our first day of class GRADES 3 Exams In class work Project 90 A 80 89 B 100 points each 30 points 20 points 300 points 30 points 20 points Total 350 points 70 79 C 60 69 D below 60 F IN THE CLASSROOM Please be on time Coming in late is a major distraction to us all Class starts at 10 10 If you arrive late you will sign in 2 late arrivals equal one absence Please have cell phones turned off There is a no tolerance policy regarding cell phones If you have an emergency situation requiring you to be on call you must make arrangements with me before class If your phone is in use during class for calls or text messages you will have points deducted from your grade No headsets no video games CD or tape players may be turned on during class You may use laptops for taking notes DCCCD guidelines prohibit smoking and eating in the classroom TEXT Brands Breen Williams Gross American Stories A History of the United States Volume One ISBN 0 205 57269 3 CALENDAR Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 chapters 1 4 in American Stories Discovery to the Colonies chapters 5 8 in American Stories The New Nation chapters 9 10 and 12 in American Stories Growth and Change chapters 11 13 15 in American Stories Breaking Apart Key Dates Jan 17 Feb 10 Mar 1 2 Mar 9 Class begins 1st Exam Section 1 No classes 2nd Exam Section 2 March 12 16 Spring Break April 9 3rd Exam Section 3 April 12 Last day to withdraw w W WK of May 7 Final Exam Section 4 STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to 1 Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the chronology of major events and trends in U S history to 1877 2 Demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate historical sources distinguishing between primary and secondary sources 3 Demonstrate knowledge of the causes of various conflicts such as wars social movements political movements and economic conflicts and the effects of their outcomes during the course of U S history to 1877 4 Demonstrate knowledge of the origins and foundations of American democracy including the founding documents and the democratic values of freedom equality and justice 5 Demonstrate the importance of expansionism manifest destiny and western settlement during the course of U S history to 1877 6 Demonstrate writing skills by successfully producing a written exercise COURSE OBJECTIVES INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES Analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials books documents and articles at a college level Produce clear correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose occasion and audience at a college level Analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication and possess sufficient literacy skills of writing and reading at a college level Think and analyze at a critical level EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods social structures and cultures Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues Understand the evolution and current role of the U S in the world Differentiate and analyze historical evidence documentary and statistical and differing points of view Recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and social research Identify and understand differences and commonalties within diverse cultures STOP BEFORE YOU DROP