Oakton Community College

HIS 111: Unites States History to 1877

Syllabus, Summer Semester 2009

Internet

 

History Department web page: http://www.oakton.edu/acad/dept/hispol

 

   I.     Course     Course        Course

           Prefix       Number       Name                                                 Credit        Lecture         Lab

           HIS          111-0C*      U.S. History to 1877                             3                 3                0

          

           Instructor:  Don Jacobson, djacobso@oakton.edu

 

           Text:  The American Journey, Goldfield et al., Volume 1, 5th Edition

 

II.         Course Prerequisite:  None

 

 III.    Course Description:

 

           Course surveys the political, economic, social and cultural development of the United States from discovery through Reconstruction.

 

  IV.   Learning Objectives:

 

A.    To understand the essential historical figures, events, and ideas associated with the history of the United States to 1877.

B.     To understand the interrelationship between the political, economic, social and cultural institutions of the United States to 1877.

C.     To develop analytical skills, and to understand the importance of examining the multiple causes behind major historical events.

D.    Relate contemporary events to the past.

          

In addition to the above objectives, this course will help students develop the following General Education Competencies that have been established by the College:

 

A.  Define problems

B.  Gather, analyze, and interpret data and information

C.  Explain how information fits into an historical context

E.     Communicate findings effectively in writing and speech

 

V.       Academic Integrity:

 

            Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate academic

            integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

 

·         cheating,

·         plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),

·         falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),

·         helping others to cheat,

·         unauthorized changes on official documents,

·         pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,

·         making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and

·         any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

 

            There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s policies

and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against you.  If you are

found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the assignment and, a

disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the Vice President for

Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

 

Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

 

Plagiarism:  What is it and how do you avoid it?  What is quoting and paraphrasing? 

http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/QuotingSources.html

 

Note: It is your responsibility to be aware of what constitutes plagiarism.  If you have additional questions, that this web link does not answer, make sure that you contact your professor or the Learning Center.

 

VI.     Course Outline:

 

           A.  Introduction to Historical methodology and Historiography

           B.  European expansion and the collision of cultures

           C.  Colonial settlements and ways of life

           D.  18th Century Enlightenment and the Great Awakening

           E.   Revolutionary America

           F.   The development of the U.S. Constitution

           G.  Origins of the party system and the age of Jefferson

           H.  The Age of Jackson

           I.    Industrialization and urbanization

J.       Women and the family in the 19th century

K.    Culture and society in the 19th century

L.     Territorial expansion

           K.  Antebellum South

           L.   Slavery

           M.  The Civil War

           N.  Reconstruction

 

 

VII.    Class Procedure

The structure of the course using Internet delivery will be based upon four units:  Unit 1 exploring the history from the pre-Columbian period to the end of the French and Indian War in 1763; Unit 2 covering the roots of discontent, the American Revolution and the early Republic; Unit 3 discussing the expansion of the American democracy and economy as well as the growing split over slavery; Unit 4 which examines the movement to the West and the Civil War and its aftermath.

Each unit will feature a discussion section based upon primary source readings and a multiple-choice quiz submitted electronically.  Each quiz will be timed (90 minutes) and will include 50 questions testing your knowledge of the subject matter.  You will be allowed to take teach Unit quiz only once.  After you submit your quiz for grading, you cannot revise any aspect of it.

In addition to the units, there are two short essays (750-1000 words) that will be prepared based upon primary source readings as well as information gleaned from the text.  These papers will be submitted electronically.

Additional progress assessment will include a Midterm and Final Exam.  Each will require the student to select four of the six questions provided and prepare a brief essay on each over the course of 180 minutes (3 hours).  These exams will be prepared and submitted electronically.  You will be able to enter the exams only once.  After you submit your exam, you cannot revise any aspect of it.

Grading Policy

Final Grade Breakdown

Your final grade will be based on the points earned divided by the 500 possible points in this class. The following grading scale will be used:

90-100.0%=A
80-89.99%=B
70-79.99%=C
60-69.99%=D

Unit Discussion

100 points (4 X 25)

Unit Quiz

100 points (4 X 25)

Midterm Exam

100 points

Essays                                     

   Primary Source Essay 1

50 points

   Primary Source Essay 2

50 points

Final Exam:

100 points

 

500 points total for the class.

 

 

  VIII.      Instructional Material:

           The most current edition (4th or 5th) of the following text is being used:

                 Goldfield et al, The American Journey (Pearson/Prentice-Hall), Vol. 1

                

           Supplementary readings will also be assigned as appropriate from the Primary Documents

           Resource CD supplied with the text.

 

 

The Turabian citation format is required for all courses in the History Department.  All other citation styles formats will not be accepted for any writing assignments in Oakton history courses.  As a university student, it is your responsibility to be familiar with the Turabian citation style.

 

http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocChicago.html

 

 

  IX.  Other Course Information:

 

         A.  Statement on Discrimination: Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services, or employment practices. The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault by or of its students or employees.

 

         B: Important Dates: Consult Course Calendar in Course Site for All Deadline Dates

 

               02/15/09:   Last day to withdraw and have course dropped from record  

               03/15/09:   Last day to withdraw from classes with a "W"

               05/18/09:   Course Ends.  Site Access will be limited to Gradebook.

 

C:  Statement on Disability: If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability, you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services.  To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center.  All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements.  The College will not waive any essential skills or requirements of a course or degree program.