SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY

 

HISTORY 1113 AMERICAN HISTORY  I

 

Donald C. Brown, Ph.D. (972-986-0517)   Spring 2005

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A survey of the exploration of America, the founding and development of the English colonies, the War of Independence, the establishment of the U.S. Government, the War of 1812, westward expansion, states’ rights, slavery, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, America’s changing society and the interaction of individuals of differing cultural backgrounds in the early United States receive special attention.

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Our nation’s general history and its various institutions form the atmosphere in which our citizens grow to maturity and shape the course of historical events.  To study our history can only enhance our role as citizens.  Upon the completion of this course:

  1. The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of basic information concerning significant people, dates, events, places, and movements in U.S. history.
  2. The student should be able to gain an appreciation for the diversity of American culture, beliefs, practices, and his or her own American heritage.
  3. The student should be able to develop the ability to think within a historical framework and demonstrate a historical perspective of American life.
  4. The student should be prepared to integrate American history with other areas of studies and within the realm of current events.
  5. The student should be able to identify, analyze, and explain key terms and concepts important to an understanding of American history.
  6. The student should understand the following from the Texas Social Studies 

      Standards (Grades 8-12).

Four (4.) 1k-3k, 6k-23k, 30k-35k, 6s

 

Five (5.) 2k-4k, 7k, 9k-10k, 13k-17k, 20k-23k, 4s, 14s,

 

Six (6.) 21k

 

Seven (7.) 6k, 14k-19k,

 

Eight (8.)1k-3k, 7k-8k, 11k-16k

 

Nine (9.) 7k, 10k, 20k-23k, 27k-31k, 34k-35k, 1s-6s,

 

Ten (10.) 1k-3k, 5k, 7k-10k, 11k-12k, 1s-2s.

TEXTBOOKS AND READINGS

  1. Garraty, John A. and Carnes, Mark C.  Short History of the American Nation. 8th edition. New York: Longman Press, 2001.
  2. One historical monograph
  3. Several short articles

 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS, COURSE PLAN AND ASSIGNMENTS

Assignments, tests, grading

Two major tests 35% (1st test is 15% and the 2nd test is 20%)

 

Final Exam 30%

Take home tests and/or 1 or 2 short tests in class over article readings 20%

Possible semester projects 15% : Book test ; annotated bibliography and/or written homework from article readings, textbook , guidebook,  or notebook. Specific instructions will follow.

 

You will be graded on written work, tests, interest, participation and attendance.  One oral test (optional) over an extra book may be possible.  All make-up work requires approval of the instructor, who will establish the time, place and nature of the work.  The class structure is lecture, discussion, readings, videos, and possible oral reports by some students and written reports.

 

                       CHART  FOR COURSE PLAN, READINGS, AND TESTS

 

WEEK#

CHAPTERS IN TEXT

               DUE

ARTICLES

                   DUE

TESTS

 

 

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

1

FarmerWebb

 

3.

2

 Miller,Morison BF

 

4.

3

Morison:GW

 

5.

4

Ketchum, Weisberger (on Rush)

Test

6.

5

Van Doran

 

7.

6 and 7

Wells and Weisberger (on religion)

 

8.

8

La Farge and  Kendall

 

9.

9

Pray, Clark

Book Test

10.

10

Havighurst, Huber

 

11.

11

Mumford, Manix-Cowley

Test

12.

12

Oates ,Tyler

 

13.

13

Degler,Billington

 

14.

14

King,Catton

 

15.

15,16

 

 

16.

 

 

Final Exam

*Historical Viewpoints edited by John Garraty (on strict reserve in campus library)

 

 

Note: Exams and/or assignments’ dates are subject to change contingent upon the needs of the class.  Short written tests over articles will be given in class or as a take home exam at the discretion of the instructor.

 

 

FINAL EXAMS

During the Final Exam Week, a final exam will be administered in class at the time that the university has established as printed in the class schedule.  No final exam will be given prior to Final Exam Week.  Students with scheduling problems may arrange with the professor (subject to the professor’s approval) to take an exam at an alternate time.  The arrangement must be done the week prior to exam week.  The alternate exam time is printed in the university semester schedule of classes.

 

Graduating seniors with a grade of “B” or higher within a course may be exempted from the last examination of the course if the professor designates it as a comprehensive final exam.  However, a graduating senior with a grade of “B” or higher within a course, at the professor’s prerogative, may or may not be exempted from a unit exam given during the Final Exam Week.

 

 

CLASS POLICIES

Attendance: Southwestern’s on-campus academic program is designed as an in-class learning experience.  In this type of instructional setting, the ability to pass examinations and complete outside projects is only a partial measure of the student’s knowledge, skills, understanding and appreciation of the subject matter.  Therefore, students are required to maintain regular and punctual class attendance.

 

Absences which exceed twenty percent (20%) of the number of times that a class meets per semester, (8 absences for classes meeting 3 times per week; 6 absences for classes meeting 2 times per week; and 3 absences for classes meeting 1 time per week), regardless of the nature or reason for the absences, will result in the student being administratively dropped automatically from the course, receiving a grade of “W”.  The student will be assessed the established course withdrawal fee.

 

A student who is absent from a class is totally responsible to make the appropriate advanced arrangements with the faculty member for possible make up work.  The faculty member will have the prerogative to determine if a student may make up any examinations or outside assignments based upon the reason for a student’s absence and when the make up work must be completed.  However, no point reduction will be assessed to a student’s final grade for absenteeism.

 

Tardy: Students missing fifteen minutes of a class will be counted as absent for that session.  Every three tardies acquired in classes that meet three times a week and every two tardies acquired in classes that meet twice a week will be considered as an absence.  The student is responsible, at the end of class, to identify his/her tardiness to the professor.

 

 

 

Late Work: Late work is discouraged, but a few cases may warrant an exception.  Please speak with the instructor privately.

 

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AND CHEATING

Students are expected to be honest in fulfilling all academic requirements and assignments.  This pertains to examinations, themes, book critiques, reading reports, etc.  A student will not be allowed to withdraw from a course if he/she is under investigation for academic dishonesty. In the event that the student is determined guilty of academic dishonesty, then the student will not be allowed to withdraw from the course and will receive the grade determined by the faculty member, either an “F” for the assignment

And/or and “F” for the course.  Dishonesty could possibly result in further disciplinary action.  Please refer to Major Infractions in the Student Handbook.

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS

Class Walk: Students must wait 15 minutes for a faculty member before leaving class unless they have been notified otherwise.

 

Tips for the students:

a. Take detailed notes on lectures and article readings. 

b. Refer to the class chart for the reading schedule. 

c. Come to each class prepared to discuss or write about the assigned readings.

 

Office Hours: one hour after class