History of the United States to 1877

History 17A--MW SYLLABUS 1

Instructor: Dr. Kallman Spring Semester 2009

Department & Number: History 17A Location: TCTR 123

Lecture Hours: MW 11:30am-1pm Course Code: 50545

Catalog Description. This is a survey of US history from its colonial beginning through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate experiences from their nation’s past. This course fulfills the Social Science (group A) requirement for the AA degree and applies toward the completion of California state requirements in US History and Institutions. (UC, CSU, CAN Hist 8).

Texts: Tindall, George Brown and David Emory Shi. America: A Narrative History. 7th ed. Vol. 1. New York: W. W. Norton, 2007.

Shi, David E. and Holly A. Mayer. For the Record: A Documentary History of America. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. From First Contact through Reconstruction. New York: W. W. Norton, 2007.

Office Hours. I do not have an office on this campus. I will be available in the Tracy Center's Main Office on MW from 10:30am-11:30am and on W from 5pm- 6pm, or by appointment. The best way to contact me is by E-mail: [email protected]

Student Learning Outcomes

When students finish this course, they should:

Understand that history is not only an accumulation of facts but also a “way of thinking and understanding.”

Have learned to apply that “way of thinking” to contemporary issues.

Realize that history is as much a question of interpretation as it is absolute truth or fact.

Have developed skills (reading, research, note-taking, critical thinking) that will be useful to academic and professional success.

Know the major social, cultural, political, economic and diplomatic developments in the United States from pre-colonial times through Reconstruction.

Have become familiar with key themes, events, and persons in American history.

Be able to critically examine popular preconceptions, myths, and misconceptions about American history.

Understand the roles that different ethnic, racial, and gender groups played in the history of the United States. Responsibilities of the Student

Attendance: I will take attendance at the beginning of each class. If you come to class late, you will be marked absent unless you clear the absence at History 17A--MW SYLLABUS 2 the end of class that day. At my discretion, I may drop a student who misses any of the first three classes. I will drop any student who has four absences on or before February 9. I will drop any student who has six absences on or before April 22.

Reading Assignments: Text reading assignments are listed in the schedule below. Reading should be done BEFORE class meetings. I will base lectures, discussions, and quizzes on the assumption that each student has read the assignments.

Quizzes/Classwork/Participation. This component includes assigned homework, group projects, in-class writing, class discussion and quizzes, both announced and "pop."

Mid-term Examinations. Students will take two midterm examinations as listed in the class schedule. Exams will consist primarily of essay and short "identify-and-tell-the-significance" items. You are responsible for all material covered up to the time of the exam.

Final Examination. The final exam is comprehensive. See the class schedule for date and time. The format will resemble the midterm examinations.

Method of Evaluation. I grade as follows: Participation/Classwork/Quizzes 30% Midterm Exams 35% Final Exam 35%

Grades: A 90-100% Excellent B 80-89% Very Good C 70-79% Fair D 60-69% Poor, but passing F <60% Failure History 17A--MW SYLLABUS 3

Schedule

Note: Reading assignments should be completed before class on the day for which they are assigned. The reading assignments refer to chapters in BOTH America: A Narrative History and For the Record.

Date Reading Assignment Topic

Jan. 12 Introduction to Class Jan. 14 Chapter 1 Jan. 19 NO CLASS--MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY Jan. 21 Chapter 1 Jan. 26 Chapter 2 Jan. 28 Chapter 2 Feb. 2 Chapter 3 Feb. 4 Chapter 3 Feb. 6 Last day to drop the class WITHOUT a "W" on your academic transcript Feb. 9 Chapter 4 Feb. 11 Chapter 5 Feb. 16 NO CLASS--IN HONOR OF WASHINGTON'S AND LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAYS Feb. 18 Chapter 5 Feb. 23 Examination #1 Feb. 25 Chapter 6 Mar. 2 Chapter 7 Mar. 4 Chapter 8 Mar. 9 Chapter 8 Mar. 11 Chapter 9 Mar. 16 Chapter 10 Mar. 18 Chapter 11 Mar. 23 Chapter 12 Mar. 25 Chapter 12 Mar. 30 Chapter 13 Apr. 1 Examination #2 Apr. 6 SPRING RECESS Apr. 8 SPRING RECESS Apr. 13 Chapter 14 Apr. 15 Chapter 14 Apr. 20 ***** Apr. 22 Chapter 15 Last day to drop the class WITH a "W" on your academic transcript Apr. 27 Chapter 16 Apr. 29 Chapter 16 May 4 Chapter 17 May 6 Chapter 17 May 11 Chapter 18 May 13 Chapter 18 May 18 10:00am-11:50am FINAL EXAMINATION History 17A--MW SYLLABUS 4

Class Rules

CLASS BEGINS PROMPTLY. TARDINESS IS BOTH RUDE AND DISRUPTIVE.

I WILL NOT ALLOW ANY STUDENT TO LEAVE CLASS EARLY WITHOUT PERMISSION.

I WILL DISMISS FROM CLASS ANYONE SLEEPING.

I WILL DISMISS FROM CLASS ANYONE HOLDING PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS.

CELL PHONES AND PAGERS ARE DISRUPTIVE. TURN THEM OFF BEFORE YOU COME TO CLASS.

COLLEGE POLICY PROHIBITS BRINGING CHILDREN TO CLASS. I KNOW YOURS ARE "LITTLE ANGELS" BUT PLEASE DO NOT BRING THEM WITH YOU.

I reserve the right to revise this syllabus if necessary and to announce such revisions in class.