History of the United States I Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Course

HIST-1301-005 History of the United States I

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

A general survey of United States history from the European background to the present. The study includes political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life in this country and follows the development of the United States as a world power.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Farmer et al. Foundations of American History Volume I--To 1877. 10th Edition. Redding, CA: BVT Publishing, 2011.

Farmer, Brian R., and Jim Powell. Study Guide to Accompany Foundations of American History Volume I--To 1877. 10th Edition. Redding, CA: BVT Publishing, 2011.  (Recommended)

Wheeler, Robert A., Thomas L. Hart, and Mark T. Tebeau. The Social Fabric: American Life from 1607-1877. Volume I. New York: Pearson Custom Publishing, 2009.

Supplies

\ Paper, pens, #2 pencils and scantrons for tests.

Student Performance

\ After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to:

\
\ 1. Trace the development of a stable, democratic political system flexible enough to address the wholesale changes that occurred since the founding of the nation.
\ 2. Explain how this nation has been peopled from the first inhabitants to the many groups that arrived in slavery or servitude during the colonial period down to the voluntary immigrants of the Civil War era.
\ 3. Evaluate economic and technological changes as they have affected daily life, work, family organization, leisure, the division of wealth, and community relations.
\ 4. Delineate the role of religion in our nation prior 1877.
\ 5. Recount how the recurring reform movements in U.S. history dealt with economic, political, and social problems in attempting to make their ideals congruent with reality.
\ 6. Define the changes in our beliefs and values over time and describe how they have varied among different groups: women and men; non-whites and whites; and people of different regions, religions, and classes.
\ 7. Describe the role of geographical factors in the history of the U.S.
\ 8. Practice critical thinking and information retrieval skills.
\  

Students Rights and Responsibilities

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If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ To the mature adults which are members of this class I apologize for the insult imposed upon you by this section of the syllabus. Unfortunately, past behavior of your fellow students has necessitated its inclusion. Students are expected in this class to behave in a manner befitting adult, university students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the University. This is not junior high, elementary school, nor the Lad 'N' Lassie day care center, and I have no intention of tolerating behavior which is more stereotypical of any of the aforementioned. In order to clarify my position, the following list of behaviors are included as examples of behavior which will result in permanent expulsion from this class. A student will receive one verbal warning only. Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period. A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement.
\
\ Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

\ 1. banging, tapping on wall, desk, or floor

\ 2. sleeping, head on desk

\ 3. interrupting lecture by any unsuitable means

\ 4. cheating in any form

\ 5. disruptive talking/visiting between students

\ 6. throwing paper wads or any other objects

\ 7. passing notes

\ 8. disrespect for fellow students

\ 9. any other disruptive behavior

\  10. doing homework related to this class or any other
\
\ 11. wearing headphones

\ 12. disrespectful comments

\ 13. eating

\ 14. moving from desk to desk, walking around room.

\ 15. knitting, needlepoint or other arts and crafts.

\ 16. Cell Phones Off—No Text
\
\ The instructor reserves the right to assign seating if necessary to preserve order. Contrary to what you are probably now thinking, it is not my intention to design a class which is a prison camp for college students. I am in favor of having fun in class perhaps as much as anyone; however, it must not be at the expense of an environment conducive to learning.

Grading Criteria

Course requirements/grading:

Exams: There will be four major examinations during the semester including a final exam on Thursday, May 9, 9:00-11:00 AM. Students may drop the lowest grade on one exam other than the final. Students may not drop the final exam. Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures.

Makeup Exams: There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with the instructor. If a student misses an exam, that exam automatically becomes the one that the student must drop. If the student misses a second exam, then the student must arrange with the instructor to take an essay makeup exam.

Las Vegas Option: On exam #3 only, if a student has achieved a minimum grade of 70 on each of the first two exams, he/she may attempt to answer all 50 of the questions on the third exam incorrectly. If a student is able to incorrectly answer all 50 questions on this exam, then a grade of 100% will be entered for this exam in the gradebook. All questions must be answered and no questions may have more than one answer. If a student is unfortunate enough to exercise this option and answer at least one question correctly, then the Las Vegas Option exam becomes the exam which the student is allowed to drop.

Class participation grade: Since some portion of the readings will be presented and discussed in class during virtually every class period, all students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion. It is obviously impossible to add much to classroom discussion if you are absent, therefore, attendance is considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade. Class participation is 10% of the final grade and it is based primarily on attendance, but the instructor reserves the right to deduct up to all ten points from the class participation grade for behavior detrimental to the class. For example, a student who misses 20% of the class periods will probably receive only 8 of the possible 10 percentage points for the class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor. Students who continually exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise detrimental behavior may receive a zero for their class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor.

Synopsis of Grading:
Total
Three Exam scores 90%
Class Participation Grade 10%
Total 100%

Academic dishonesty:
Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Some collaboration with other students on projects is acceptable; however, students must do their own work. Papers which bear a striking resemblance to the work of other students will not be accepted. If the instructor determines that a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment.
 

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60 = F

Attendance

Amarillo College Attendance Policy:   Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.

Instructor Attendance Policy:  Attendance is considered heavily in calculating class participation grade. Habitual absenteeism may cause students to lose the full ten points for class participation. Tardies count as one third of an absence, and over 20 minutes tardy counts as an absence.  Leaving class early without prior arrangement with the instructor counts as a tardy.  Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or calendar if necessary.