HIST 1301 4231 Course Syllabus Wintermester December 16 January 6 Professor D Lynn Gage M S Office Hours By appointment Office Phone 214 233 5313 Email d lynngage dcccd edu Course Information Course Description We will survey the history of the United States from the early days of the 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 informationsuch 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 Required Texts 1 The American Journey by David Goldfield Concise Ed Published by Pearson Education 2008 ISBN 97880135150917 any edition will work but they will have this one in the Book Store on campus 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 a 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 1 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 Requirements You are expected to attend and participate in class read the assignments before class prepare and execute 1 presentations take 4 exams and complete daily assignments in class 1 Attendance Participation Attendance is a must Exams will cover material from the lecture as well as from the text 1 absence is considered excessive and will lower your final grade by 10 points Over 2 absences will lower your final grade 20 points We will be doing in class activates that cannot be made up These activities count towards your participation grade Participation in class discussions is encouraged and can affect your final grade in a positive way Participation and questions are encouraged 2 Presentation on one occasion students will give a 10 15 minute presentation to the class over a small section of the text Students will submit a hard copy of their presentation 2 due the day they are to present These presentations cannot be made up If you are absent the day of your presentation you cannot make up the points Evaluation criteria The instructor will grade each presentation based on the in class presentation and the typed copy Page 4 of this syllabus has the grading rubrics for the in class presentation and the hard copy 3 Exams You will have 2 exams the last exam will be the final exam Each exam will consist of a section of multiple choice true false questions and short essays These exams will cover material from the reading and the lectures Each exam will be worth 100 points 4 Quizzes We will have a quiz for chapters 1 15 before we begin discussion on each chapter 5 In class Written Exercises We will have 3 in class written exercises that must be complete in class More information will be given before the assignment Grades Attendance Participation 110 points Presentation 50 points 2 Exams 200 points 15 Quizzes 300 points 3 in class written exercises 90 points Total 750 points 675 750 points A 450 524 D 600 674 points B 0 450 points F 525 599 points C 3 Grading Rubric In Class Presentations 1 2 3 4 5 6 Introduction of Self Introduction of Topic Finding 1 Finding 2 Finding 3 Presentation time quality of presentation 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3 3 3 3 6 9 12 Comments Grading Rubric Typed copy of Presentation 1 Title page 2 Typed and double spaced 3 Format citing one inch margins on all sides 12 point Times New Roman font 4 Spelling 5 Complete sentences 6 3 findings 0 0 0 2 2 2 4 6 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 4 4 3 8 6 Comments 4 In the classroom Please be on time Coming in late is a major distraction to us all Class start at 12 30 If you arrive late you will sign in 2 late arrivals equal one absence Please have cell 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 MP3 or tape players may be turned on during class You may use laptops for note taking only DCCCD guidelines prohibit smoking and eating in the classroom 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