United States History Since 1865
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United States History, 1000 to 1877 History 133— Fall, 2010 Dr. Jeff Bremer Lecture #133-007— 1:00-2:15 p.m. MW—Ferguson 472 Office: 356 Liberal Arts North Hours: M & W: 11-1; M, T, W, R: 2-3:30; Wed: 3:30-5:00. E-mail: bremerjr@ sfasu.edu Phone: office: 936-468-2452; cell phone: 936-371-11xx. Course Description: This course is an introduction to American history that emphasizes both lecture and discussion formats to help you understand the United States from first native settlement to Reconstruction. We will focus on the century between the Revolution and the Reconstruction, surveying the history of the early United States and the creation of a diverse and pluralistic nation. I will help to teach you to “think like a historian,” as well as provide you with the necessary historical and cultural background to be an active and informed citizen. This course is a comprehensive survey of American history from early explorations through Reconstruction; meets Texas state requirements for all graduates. Texts: America, A Narrative History (Brief 8th edition, 7th/6th OK), by Tindall & Shi. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. The Reshaping of Everyday Life, by Jack Larkin. Course Grading: 70% Examinations: 2 Exams (20% & 25%, total: 45%). Final (25%). 20% One paper (about 3 pages/ 900-1,000 words). 10% Class discussion: (10%). Grade Scale: 90-100% A Thorough understanding of all material with original, text-supported opinions; clear, organized & thoughtful writing; consistent participation. 80-90% B A good factual understanding of material; thorough preparation for discussion; ability to logically and clearly communicate ideas. 70-80% C Displays understanding of basic points of all material; presentation unclear or disorganized; sporadic classroom participation. 60-70% D Late or incomplete work; disorganized, poorly presented or unclear ideas; slight grasp of basic ideas; scant participation or numerous absences. 59%-0% F Late or incomplete assignments; unclear, inaccurate writing and communication; excessive absences; no participation in discussion. Late/Absence Policy: No late papers or exams will be allowed without documentation of emergency (attach copy). All work must be completed within one week of absence (i.e., discussion, papers). There is no make-up work and little extra credit. You may come see me at any time for help, but silent students or slackers will not be allowed to try and make up months of discussion at the end of the semester. 1 Attendance & Participation: Class participation is a crucial part of your grade. You cannot get an ‘A’ without consistent participation. Attendance does not equal participation. (In other words, if you do not take part you will forfeit 10% of your grade.). I do not take roll during lecture, but will keep track of discussion attendance. Exams are based on lecture material and failure to attend class will usually result in a low grade. Do not assume that online sources will provide you with the required information. Questions/SI/Powerpoint: My job is to teach you U.S. history and to help you learn to think critically about its complexities. I am happy to halt lecture or discussion to answer questions and I am genuinely interested in helping you to learn as much as you can. I cannot help you unless you take the initiative. If you have questions, need help or want to talk outside of class please contact me. If you need further assistance, please see the SI, Zack Wilkes, who has been assigned to this class. He will hold weekly review sessions for this course. A printout of the powerpoint slides is available, under ‘e-reserves’, at the main library web page (under ‘academics/research’ on main SFA page). Password: ‘his133’. Papers & Midterms: The paper is due November 22 as shown on the schedule below. Instructions and essay questions will be handed out at least one week before the due date. There will be no exceptions to these due dates and I accept no excuses. The two exams are October 4 & November 8 and these will consist of three short-answers questions (half-page) and one two-page essay question. There will be a number of options to choose from and a study guide will be handed out in advance. The final exam is comprehensive, but focused on the last one-third of the course. Plagiarism: Plagiarism, cheating, class disruption or other misconduct will not be tolerated. Any student caught in cheating or plagiarism will receive a zero for the course. Other violations, such as stealing an exam or downloading a paper from the internet (plagiarism), will be similarly punished. I will also report cheating to your dean as described in university policy A-9.1. Under this policy, students charged with more than one violation during their academic careers will be summoned before the University Committee on Academic Integrity. If the Committee validates the charges, it may place students on probation or suspend them. You may read the policy, including your right to appeal charges of dishonesty, at: http: //www.sfasu.edu/policies/academic_integrity.asp. (Also see other, more detailed policies listed below on page six.) Expectations and Classroom Decorum: Students should show up on time, prepared to take notes, ask questions and take part in occasional class discussion. Do not expect me to provide you with information that you have chosen to miss if you do not come to class. If you need lecture notes, please ask a fellow student. If you need assistance, see Zack or myself. However, neither of us will re-teach the course for you, nor will I review the entire study guide with you. Assembling information is your job, not mine. Students should be respectful of their fellow class members, and, of course, their instructor. Turn off cell phones and I-Pods so that you do not disrupt the classroom. Please do not attempt text messaging, crosswords or sodoku puzzles or anything else that may interfere with another student’s education. Withheld Grades (Semester Grades Policy, A-54) Ordinarily, at the discretion of the instructor of record and with the approval of the academic chair/director, a grade of WH will be assigned only if the student cannot complete the course work because of unavoidable circumstances. Students must complete the work within one calendar year from the end of the semester in 2 which they receive a WH, or the grade automatically becomes an F. If students register for the same course in future terms the WH will automatically become an F and will be counted as a repeated course for the purpose of computing the grade point average. Students with Disabilities To obtain disability related accommodations, alternate formats and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS), Human Services Building, and Room 325, 468-3004 / 468-1004 (TDD) as early as possible in the semester. Once verified, ODS will notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided. Failure to request services in a timely manner may delay your accommodations. For additional information, go to http://www.sfasu.edu/disabilityservices/ Add/Drop: The last day to drop the course (and avoid a WP/WF) is October 27, 2010. After this date students will have to withdraw from the university. Students may drop a class up until the middle of the third week of normal semesters without a W on their transcript. Please see new university add/drop policies at: http:// www.sfasu.edu/registrar/registration/add_drop.asp Schedule: Week 1: Introduction/ Worlds Collide August 30 & Sep 1: Introduction and lecture. also: Chapter 1 in textbook Week 2: American Colonies Sept 8: lecture also: Chapter 2 in textbook Week 3: American Colonies Sept 13 & 15: lecture Also: chapter 3 in textbook Week 4: Road to Revolution Sept 20 & 22: lecture also: chapter 5 in textbook Week 5: The American Revolution Sept 27 & 29: lecture also: chapter 6 in textbook 3 Week 6: The 1780s—Crisis and Constitution October 4: Exam # 1 October 6: lecture also: chapter 7 in textbook Week 7: The Federalist Era, 1788-1800 October 11: lecture Ocotber 13: discussion of Reshaping of Everyday Life, chapter 1 (pp. 1-47). also: chapter 8 in textbook Week 8: The Age of Jefferson, 1800-1815 October 18 & 20: lecture October 20: discussion of The Reshaping of Everyday Life, chapter 2 (all) & pp. 157-173. Also: chapter 9 in textbook Week 9: The War of 1812 & After October 25 & 27: lecture October 27: discussion of Reshaping of Everyday Life, chapter 3 (skip pp. 116-121) and pp. 191-203 & 281-295. Also: chapter 10 in textbook. Week 10: Slavery and the South November 1 & 3: lecture November 3: discussion of Frederick Douglass’ Narrative, chapters 1-11 Chapter 15 in textbook Week 11: Slavery & Jackson November 8: Exam #2 November 10: lecture also: chapter 11 in textbook 4 Week 12: Jackson & Antebellum Reform November 15 & 17: lecture also: chapter 13 in textbook Week 13: The Road to Secession November 22: lecture Paper Due: November 22 November 24-26: Thanksgiving Holiday Also: chapter 16 in textbook Week 14: The Civil War November 29 & December 1: lecture also: chapter 17 in textbook Week 15: Civil War & Reconstruction December 6 & 8: lecture also: chapter 18 in textbook Week 16: Final Exam—Wednesday December 15, 1-3 p.m. Program Learning Outcomes: This is a general education core curriculum course and no specific program learning outcomes for this major are addressed in this course. General Education Core Curriculum Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes: HIS 133 is part of the university’s Core Curriculum and as such strives towards both the general goals of the core and the specific objectives for social science classes set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.