Michael Walker United States History 1301.4004 Spring 2012 [email protected] MWF 10:10 – 11:05 Room N113 Office: LC 215 Office Hours: MWF 10-11; TR 8-9 Phone: 972.860-7166 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 100 points each = 300 points In class work 30 points = 30 points Project 20 points = 20 points Total = 350 points 90%+ = A 80-89% = B 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 chapters 1-4 in American Stories Discovery to the Colonies - Section 2 chapters 5-8 in American Stories The New Nation - Section 3 chapters 9, 10 and 12 in American Stories Growth and Change - Section 4 chapters 11, 13 - 15 in American Stories Breaking Apart Key Dates Jan 17 Class begins March 12-16 Spring Break Feb 10 1st Exam (Section 1) April 9 3rd Exam (Section 3) Mar 1- 2 No classes April 12 Last day to withdraw w/ W Mar 9 2nd Exam (Section 2) 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