Session
Session 2014-1 Fall
ONLINE
August 25-October 19, 2014
Samuel P. Wheeler, Ph.D.
Resource Center Adjunct Office
E-mail: swheeler@ben.edu
Cell Phone # 618-201-7343
PRE-ASSIGNMENT:
Become familiar with D2L.
HIST 111-70 AMERICAN HISTORY to 1865
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a survey of American history from ancient America through the Civil War.
II.
TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS
Required Text:
Roark, James L., Michael P. Johnson, Patricia Cline Cohen, Sarah Stage, and Susan M.
Hartmann. (2014). Understanding the American Promise: A Brief History. Vol. I to 1877.
2nd Edition. MacMillan Higher Education. ISBN: 978-1-45763980-7 ISBN: 1-45763980-7
Supplemental Materials:
Students will need to have regular and frequent access to a computer with Internet and utilization
of D2L. Please contact the Resource Center at (217) 718-5007, for information on D2L, the
learning system used for this course.
III.
MISSION STATEMENT
Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students
from diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to
liberal arts and professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition
and Benedictine heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and
responsible citizens and leaders in the world community.
IV.
GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND OUTCOMES
Benedictine University's core mission is to prepare students for active participation in an
increasingly interconnected world. Its Core Curriculum advances this mission by enabling
students to attain a broad range of learning goals, listed below:
A. Benedictine Core Goals
1. Demonstrate an effective level of cognitive, communicative, and research skills;
2. Achieve a college level of computational skills and an ability to understand and interpret
numerical data;
3. Acquire a knowledge of the history and heritage of western civilization, to include:
a. the contributions of religious faith and philosophical thought to understanding the person
in community,
b. the relationship of the individual to society: membership and participation in groups and
institutions,
c. scientific literacy through a knowledge of the history, the methods, and the impact of
science on the individual, society, and the environment, artistic and literary heritage;
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4. Develop an understanding of global society: cultural diversity, mutual relationships,
interdependence of peoples and nations;
5. Apply liberal learning in problem-solving contexts as preparation for active participation in
society;
6. Make informed ethical decisions that promote personal integrity, the legitimate rights and
aspirations of individuals and groups, and the common good.
B. Course Objectives/Outcomes
As a distribution course within the Core Curriculum, HIST 111-70 was designed with the above
Core goals in mind. Thus, upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to
demonstrate their mastery of the following goals, objectives and student learning outcomes:
Course Goals
1. To identify the major trends in the political, social, cultural, and economic development of the
United States.
2. To analyze and use specific pieces of historical information to interpret historical moments.
3. To have a general understanding of the human cultures, values, institutions, people, and
events that created America.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will be introduced to the major themes that have shaped American history. Topics
include, but are not limited to, the ever-changing natural environment, Native Americans, colonial
America, Atlantic Slave Trade, American Revolution, American religious history, Enlightenment,
expansionism, Constitutional debates, development of American political parties, reform
movements, American slavery, abolitionism, gender equality, and, of course, the American Civil
War and its aftermath.
2. Students will develop their communication and analytical skills.
3. Students will examine how history is made, how it is written, how it is interpreted, and how it
is challenged.
C. Mode of Inquiry Learning Goals and Objectives
1a. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and
analysis by responding to interpretative exam essay questions that require them to use factual
information to reach their own conclusions of what is “historical truth.”
2b. Communication. Students will understand and interpret written, oral, visual and aural forms
of communication in the process of reading assigned material, listening to lectures, and viewing
selected films and pictures shown in the classroom.
3a. Information Fluency Students will be required to navigate different information formats and
media technologies to find pertinent information in order to complete the written assignments of
the course.
3b. Information Fluency, Students will be required to evaluate sources of information critically
to conduct responsible research for the term paper requirement of the course.
4a. Global Perspective Students will recognize the interdependence of peoples and nations,
and understand the forces that connect and divide them by gaining a multicultural appreciation of
the history of the United States.
6a. Personal Growth Students will develop an intellectual curiosity and a desire for lifelong
learning by appreciating the relevance of the past in shaping our lives today.
7a. Breadth of Knowledge and Integrative Learning Students will use knowledge, theories,
and methods from the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences to raise and
address questions germane to those areas of study by taking advantage of the regular
opportunities for interactive discussion in the classroom environment.
V.
TEACHING METHODS/DELIVERY SYSTEM
Through access to the internet D2L site, students will be guided through a weekly set of readings,
complete and submit assignments and exams to assess their understanding of the course
material.
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VI.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance Policy
Attendance will be assessed by student access to the D2L site. If you are having problems with
any part of this online course, contact me immediately by phone or email. This course is highly
accelerated and requires students to be self-motivated, and have strong organizational and timemanagement skills.
This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of responsibility for
their own learning outcomes. Attendance is required in each class meeting for the full period of
time. Any absence must be due to extraordinary circumstances and will require documentation
for it to be considered excused. Documentation must be provided immediately in order to
determine what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible. Class attendance will
directly impact your final grade, and each undocumented absence will be considered unexcused
and will result in a 20% reduction in the final grade for the course.
Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which
prevents you from attending any class(es), appropriate medical documentation must be provided
immediately so it may be determined what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible.
Reading Assignments
See the Topical Course Outline listed below.
Written Assignments and Projects
Students are required to login to the D2L site regularly to check for assignments. Assignments
must be completed and submitted by the due date. Due to the accelerated nature of this course,
late assignments will NOT be accepted.
Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy
The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university.
Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our
Roman Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore
expected of all University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication,
forgery, falsification, destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are
violations of these expectations and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University
community.
Student’s Responsibility
Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are
expected to exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are
always serious and may result in sanctions that could have profound long-term effects. The final
responsibility for understanding the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the
specific policies for individual courses normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt
exists about what constitutes academic dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the
faculty member. Students should expect the members of their class to be academically honest.
If students believe one or more members of the class have been deceitful to gain academic
advantage in the class, students should feel comfortable to approach the faculty member of the
course without prejudice.
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Academic
Affairs. Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may face for
academic dishonesty:
 a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
 dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or
 dismissal from the Institution.
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VII.
MEANS OF EVALUATION
Grading
Assignment
Possible Points
300 (50 points each)
Percent of Final
Grade
60%
Reading
Assessments
Exam 1
Exam 2
Total
Due Date
8/30 – 10/13
100
100
20%
20%
9/16 – 9/20
10/14 – 10/18
500
100%
Reading Assessments. You will find the reading assessments on the course’s D2L site. Each
reading assessment will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. All
assignments must be completed online and submitted by the due date. Due to the
accelerated nature of this course, late assignments will NOT be accepted. Students will
complete six reading assessments, worth 50 points each. Reading assessments will make
up 60 percent of your final grade in this course.
Exam 1. Students will receive a review sheet one week prior to the exam. The review sheet will
include the major concepts to be familiar with, as well as the format of the exam, which will
consist of multiple choice, short answer, and an essay question. You will have 90 minutes to
complete the exam. Exam 1 is worth 100 points and will account for 20 percent of your final
grade in this course.
Exam 2. Students will receive a review sheet one week prior to the exam. The review sheet will
include the major concepts to study, as well as the format of the exam, which will consist of
multiple choice, short answer, and an essay question. You will have 90 minutes to complete
the exam. Exam 2 is worth 100 points and will account for 20 percent of your final grade in
this course.
Grading Scale
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 and below
Late Work
Late work will not be accepted in this course.
Grade Appeal Process
If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must be made
in writing to the instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after the end of the term
for which the grade in question was reported. The appeal should contain specific information
about why it is believed the grade reported is inaccurate. See the Student Handbook for
additional details.
Add/Drop Dates
Please refer to the current Academic Calendar for add/drop dates.
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Incomplete Request
To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a “C”
or better, and a student must submit a completed “Request for an Incomplete” form to the
Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the
student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary
signatures.
Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate
form, with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising Office. Please
refer to the Student Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals.
VIII.
TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE
Week Reading Assignment
Written Assignment
8/25
Read Roark, Chapters 1, 2, 3
Reading Assessment 1
9/1
Read Roark, Chapters 4, 5, 6
Reading Assessment 2
9/8
Read Roark, Chapters 7, 8
Reading Assessment 3
9/15
Download Review Sheet 1 from D2L site
Study for Exam 1
Exam 1
9/22
Read Roark, Chapters 9, 10, 11
Reading Assessment 4
9/29
Read Roark, Chapters 12, 13, 14
Reading Assessment 5
10/6
Read Roark, Chapters 15, 16
Reading Assessment 6
10/13
Download Review Sheet 2 from D2L site
Study for Exam 2
Exam 2
Course Evaluation
IX.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable
accommodations to participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with
disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities,
and services, or to meet course requirements, should contact the Resource Center as early as
possible at springaccess@ben.edu, (217) 717-9253.
X.
ASSESSMENT
Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this
syllabus. Instructor will use background knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective essays
and/or other Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide
continuous improvement of instruction.