Richard E Schlaudroff HIST 1301 4501 MW 8 35 9 55 PM Campus mailbox C202 email res4470 dcccd edu Telephone 972 279 3536 972 860 7156 History of the United States to 1877 Spring Semester Course Description This course has three majors goals 1 to explore the development of American thought culture and institutions from its earliest formation to the Reconstruction Era 2 to demonstrate the foundational character of this development for current modes of thought and action and 3 to help students understand the processes of historical development and modes of historical interpretation This is primarily a lecture course For this reason attendance at each class session is essential Lectures will be related to assigned readings but will not duplicate them so that success in the course will depend upon consistent attention to the readings and to lectures Expected Student Learning Outcomes 1 Students should demonstrate a broad knowledge of the chronology of major events and trends in U S history 2 Students should demonstrate the ability to identify and evaluate historical sources distinguishing between primary and secondary sources 3 Students should demonstrate a broad knowledge of the causes of various conflicts and their effects during the course of U S history Exemplary Educational Objectives The objectives of a social and behavioral science component of a core curriculum is to increase a 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 the United States political system with a focus on the growth of political institutions the constitution of the U S 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 a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself by engaging in public discourse and by obtaining information through news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy To identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures Textbook Tindall George Brown and David E Shi America A Narrative History 8th edition vol 1 Course Requirements Exams Four in class exams Each will be objective style combined with a few short answer questions Emphasis will be placed as much upon understanding of historical processes as on knowledge of historical facts Each exam will cover the prior quarter of the semester s course material A study aid will be handed out one week prior to each exam date Make up exams are available by prior arrangement and due to excused absences only In all cases the exam must be made up prior to the next scheduled exam Exams missed due to unexcused absences count as 0 in the numerical average The cumulative exam average comprises 90 of the final grade Paper One three page analytic essay on the historical significance of a document from the period covered A handout governing the particulars of the assignment will be given out about the middle of the semester The paper must be typed with proper margins and appropriate attention to syntax spelling and grammar Deduction in grade points will be assessed accordingly Plagiarism will not be tolerated as discussed below The paper comprises 10 of the final grade Attendance Class members are expected to attend each class session Attendance is recorded by means of a sign in sheet for each class It is your responsibility to initial the space next to your name on the sheet Grading scale Final grades are submitted to the college registrar according to the following scale A 90 100 B 80 89 C 70 79 D 60 69 F 59 or below No class member is eligible for the mark of I incomplete who 1 has not completed at least 50 of the course requirements and 2 has not achieved at least a 70 average in work completed Extra credit is not permitted Appointments If you wish to set up an appointment to discuss any aspect of the course see me after class If you need to reach me at other times call my office 972 279 3536 or the division office 972 860 7156 and leave a message You may also email me at res4470 dcccd edu or leave a note in my mailbox in N109 and I will respond as soon as I can Plagiarism Plagiarism is 1 the submission of someone else s work as if it were your own or 2 failure to indicate and or provide citations for a part of someone else s work and so conflating that person s ideas with your own In all cases where another person s writing or ideas are used credit must be given by proper citation Plagiarism in either of these forms will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary charges being brought against you under the terms of the Student Code of Conduct mentioned below Academic Dishonesty The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to provide guidelines for the educational environment of the Dallas County Community College System Such an environment presupposes both rights and responsibilities Disciplinary regulations at the college are set forth in writing in order to give students general notice of prohibited conduct Students should be aware of disciplinary actions for all forms of academic dishonesty plagiarism and collusion The Eastfield College catalog and the DCCCD catalog contain the entire Student Code of Conduct which is also on the Internet at http www dcccd edu Drop Policy If you