HISTORY 1301: UNITED STATES TO 1877
Spring, 2012
Course: West Loop Campus: Room C252 Section 81087 : 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. M
Instructor: Kaye Arnold
Office hrs. by appointment e-mail: kaye.arnold@hccs.edu
Required Texts:
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American Passages: A History of the United States, 4th Ed., Edward L. Ayers, et al. ISBN 13: 978-0-547-16646-9 or
Volume I, ISBN 13: 978-0-547-16630-8
April 1865: The Month That Saved America, Jay Winik. ISBN 978-0-06-089968-4
Subject/Purpose: History 1301 surveys Part I of American History, beginning with European exploration and ending with the
final year of Reconstruction in the South. We will first discuss the origins of the American culture and the development of the
nation from colonial to mid-nineteenth century America, and then we will consider the issues and crises that this culture and the
American government faced in the mid-decades of the century that led to the Civil War and the rebuilding of the nation. In
addition to learning key trends and events during the period, students will focus on the processes of historical thinking, including
extensive study of primary sources, and will apply critical thinking to make judgments about the past. History 1301 is a 16-week,
48 contact hour course which fulfills three hours of a state-mandated six-hour history requirement. Completion of this class will
also improve student performance in reading, writing, critical thinking, communicating, and computer skills. Prerequisites: Must
be placed into college-level reading and college-level writing.
Course Objectives: to help you, the student:
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to develop insight into the country’s past, present, and future and as a consequence, enhance your own sense of identity
to improve your ability to read critically, to think analytically, and to problem solve
to stimulate your further interest in historical study
to improve skills essential to academic and work-related tasks, and most importantly
to hone your critical judgment by developing your understanding of historical thinking
Student Learning Outcomes:
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Students will be able to create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
Students will be able to analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
Students will be able to analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, and cultural forces on this period
of U.S. history.
Course Organization and Requirements:
Lectures: Lectures will be scheduled for most sessions. It will be essential for your success in the course that you take thorough
class notes. I provide study guides; frequent review of these materials will support your learning.
Reading Materials: You are required to read the required texts and any other assignments, to analyze critically the assigned
readings, and to be prepared to discuss the readings in class. Library hours at West Loop are M-Th 7:30 am-9:00 p.m.; Fr 7:30
am-1:00 p.m.; Sat. 8:00 am-1:00 p.m.
Note taking: You will be expected to work on improving your note taking skills in the course to help you organize your thinking
related to lectures, readings, and discussions. You will be expected to practice a strategy for note taking.
Participation: Class discussions are an important part of the course. Discussions will be based on readings and participation is
required. While it is not a requirement for the course, I strongly recommend that you extend class discussions and participation
beyond the classroom by forming study groups.
Paper: A written essay is required for the course. Guidelines and a format for the essay will be given during the course. The
paper should be submitted by the due date; late papers will be penalized and no papers will be accepted after the announced
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final deadline. You should keep an extra copy of your paper; you will be able to review your work after grading but will return
the paper to me. All written work completed outside of class should be your own original work, written in your own
words. Any quotes or paraphrasing will be expected to be punctuated and cited correctly. All assignments must be submitted as
a hard copy--not by e-mail.
Course Expectations: Your outside study and preparation will be the essential determiner of your performance and thus,
your final grade average. There is no substitute for hard work and anyone who expects to invest only the time it takes to attend
classes should not expect to be successful in the course. For those who do expect success, a strong commitment to the following
habits should ensure that success:
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reviewing with frequency the course study guides and connecting them to course content
acquiring background knowledge to support understanding of course content
completing all assigned readings before the class period
bringing all assigned readings to class
completing all written assignments on time
taking thorough, organized notes
being prepared to participate in class discussion
reviewing materials for quizzes and exams
completing all skills lessons and practicing the recommended skills strategies
working on thinking, listening, writing, and vocabulary skills
meeting course deadlines
Resources: You may be given Study Guides, Discussion Questions, and Vocabulary to support your note taking, reading, and
preparing for classroom discussion. I will use the HCC Learning Web this semester to provide these course materials as well as to
post the syllabus and any written guidelines for assignments.
You can access my Learning Web at site at
http://learning.swc.hccs.edu/. Type in “Arnold” in the search box, and it will take you to my site. Alternatively, you can reach the
Learning Web by accessing the HCC Homepage (hccs.edu); click on Southwest College at the top, click on “Learning Web” in the
right hand menu on the Southwest Homepage. That should take you to the search box. If you have any difficulty with this, let me
know as soon as possible.
You can access primary source materials for the American Passages textbook at
http://college.cengage.com/history/us/ayers/am_passages/4e/student_home.html.. Select a chapter in the menu bar on the right
side of the web page and then go to Improving Your Grade and then to Primary Sources. There are several other links on the main
page that are study aids for the textbook.
You may purchase required books at the HCC bookstores or other local bookstores such as Barnes & Noble or Half-Priced Books
or through online sellers. Two online sites that sell history texts are www.alibris.com and www.amazon.com.
HCC offers an excellent resource for tutoring and for writing papers – AskOnline. You can access it at http://hccs.askonline.net.
Turn-around time for receiving help on papers is usually 18-24 hours, so you should plan on submitting papers for help well before
they are due. Visit the AskOnline website for details and further information.
Assessment of Learning: You will be evaluated with multiple kinds of assessments for the course. There will be three major
exams covering the historical topics studied prior to the exam; there are no cumulative exams. Additionally, along with the
assigned paper, your participation in class as well as short quizzes and possibly other short written assignments may be used in
evaluating your learning. An example of a short written assignment might be a critical analysis of a primary source or a summary
of information from an internet historical site. Also please note that all multi-page assignments must be stapled when they are
submitted.
Examination and Grading Policy: Each student grades will be weighted according to the following : Major exams = 60% Paper
= 20% Other assignments, Quizzes, and Class Participation = 20% Exams and quizzes may be made up of objective, short
answer (paragraph), and/or essay questions. Please note that you will have to provide Scantron forms and #2 pencils for all
tests with objective questions; please answer all other questions in ink. You must be prepared to remain in the classroom until
you have completed each test; you must turn in your exam before you leave the classroom. There will be specific procedures for
test administrations and failure to follow these procedures may result in a test grade of 0. All testing materials and
student papers are kept by the instructor. Final course grades will be available via the HCC internet site.
Please make necessary arrangements to take exams on the assigned dates. No make-ups will be scheduled. If an exam is missed,
the other tests will be weighted accordingly so that the total weight of exams equals 60% of the final grade. A grade penalty will
be assessed if the last exam is missed. The standard HCC grading system is used for all grades: A (100-90) B (89-80) C (79-70)
D (69-60) F (below 60). I do not curve grades or give extra credit work as I prefer you to concentrate your efforts on improving
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your grades on regular assignments. This is a college-level course; therefore it is imperative that you demonstrate college-level
reading comprehension and writing ability. Students planning to transfer their college credits to another college or university
should check on the requirements of that institution; generally, a grade of C is required for transfer of credit.
Attendance: Class attendance is a must, and the instructor will check attendance at every session and will follow HCC policies
regarding attendance and drops. A commitment to learning requires you to schedule your time so you can attend classes on time
and remain for full class times. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get all information, including handouts, that you
have missed; at the beginning of the course, identify fellow students who can help you. Punctuality is expected; repeated
lateness will be considered as partial absences in the course. Most importantly, many, if not all quizzes, will be given at the
beginning of class periods; a tardy will result in a grade of zero for the missed quiz. Generally, students who miss six or more
hours of the class have a difficult time following the course content. Ideally, every student will complete the course successfully;
you do, however, have the option of withdrawing any time before the official withdrawal date of November 3. International
students, veterans, and those on financial aid should be fully aware of the grade and minimum hours policies affecting your
situation. In particular, you should know the rules regarding withdrawal (“W”) from a course. Once a “W” is officially recorded
it will not be changed to another grade regardless of circumstances. I will not drop you for reasons of nonattendance. If you
choose to stop attending class, it is your responsibility to formally withdraw. You can withdraw at the Registrar’s Office at
any Southwest College campus. The last date for official withdrawal is Thursday, March 29. Failure to officially withdraw by
that date will result in failure of the course.
Academic Honesty Policy: Academic honesty is essential in education. Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic
dishonesty are prohibited by HCCS policy and the rules of this class.
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Plagiarism is representing other’s work--ideas, writing, including material from the Internet, etc.--as your own, without
crediting the source. It constitutes the theft of another person’s intellectual property. It is the most common form of
academic dishonesty. If you are unclear about what constitutes plagiarism, you should seek clarification before beginning
an assignment. I will provide guidance to you.
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Cheating is any form of deception or fraud intended to misrepresent one’s academic work and/or inflate a grade or assist
other students to do so. Cheating involves fraud and deception for the purpose of violating legitimate class rules.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to: copying from another student’s test paper or written assignment; using, during a
test, materials not authorized by the instructor; collaborating with another student during a test; knowingly using, buying,
selling, etc. whole or part of an administered test or written assignment. Any questions about academic dishonesty should
be referred to the Student Conduct section of the College System catalogue. Also, a grade penalty will be assessed if any
tests or papers that are to be returned to the instructor are not submitted.
Violations of these policies can result, at a minimum, in the automatic failure of the assignment, exam, or course. Severe
violations could result in suspension or expulsion from HCC.
Class Etiquette: Generally, students are expected to act like adult college students and respect the rights and needs of fellow
students and the instructor. Also please that note according to Houston Community College policy, no form of sexual
harassment will be tolerated.
Electronic Devices: No electronic devices--cell phones, laptop computers, pagers, etc.--should be used during class; anyone
disturbing instruction in this manner may be required to leave. Use of any kind of recording devices, including camera
phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction,
tutoring, or testing occurs. Students who bring cell phones and other electronic devices to the classroom during major exams may
have to place them on the instructor’s desk during exams. Students with disabilities who may want to use a recording device as
an accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations
and must provide the instructor with appropriate documentation.
Disability Policy: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs
to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact Dr. Becky Hauri, the Disability Support Services Counselor, for the
Southwest College, phone 713-718-7909 at the beginning of the semester. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the
accommodations requested by the Office of Disability Support Services Office (DDS). Students who are requesting special testing
accommodations must first contact that office.
Notice: Students who repeat a course three or more times may face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas
public colleges and universities. State law limits the number of courses a student, attending state institutions, may withdraw from
to a maximum of six. Please ask your instructor/ counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering
course withdrawal, or if you are not receiving passing grades.
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This syllabus is not to be considered a legal document; rather it states course goals, organization, and requirements and as such
may be subject to modifications. The following schedule and readings are subject to revisions.
HISTORY 1301 SCHEDULE OF TOPICS, READINGS, AND ASSIGNMENTS, Spring, 2012
January 23 : Session 1
Introduction/Syllabus & Schedule/Study Aides
Topic A: The Nature of History
Topic B: The New World and the Old: European Antecedents & the Columbine Exchange (15th & 16th centuries)
Topic 1: Colonial America: British Folkways Form the Cultural Foundation (17th century)
Text: Ch. 1
January 30: Session 2
Topic 1 con’t.
Text: Ch. 2, pp. 31-37; 41-44; 47-48; 51-51 & Ch. 3, pp. 56-61; 63-66; 68-69; 72-76
February 6: Session 3
Topic 2: The Political Foundation—Evolution and Revolution (the 18th century)
Text: Ch. 4, pp. 84-88; 90-98; 101-106; 108-110 & Ch. 5, pp. 112-113; 115-131;134-135;141-142
Discussion: April 1865: The Month That Saved America: Introduction and Prelude, pp.. ix-28
February 13: Session 4
Topic 3: The Early Republic (1780’s-1800)
Text: Ch. 6, pp. 144-150; 160-168
Discussion: April 1865: Part I, pp. 29-69
February 20—Presidents Day Holiday
February 27: Session 5
Topic 3 con’t.
Text: Ch. 7, pp. 171-182; 188-195
Topic 4: The Growth of a Democratic Culture and the Nation’s Expansion (1800-1828)
Text: Ch. 8, pp. 197-199; 205-214; 222-224 & Ch. 9, pp. 230-241
Discussion: April 1865: Part 2, pp. 73-121
March 5: Session 6
Exam I
Discussion: April 1865: Part 2, pp. 123-139
March 12—Spring Break
March 19: Session 7
Topic 5: Jacksonian America (1828-1840)
Text: Ch. 9, pp. 241-246 & Ch. 10, pp. 248-261; Ch. 11, pp. 20-90-291
Discussion: April 1865: Part 2, pp. 139-199 and Part 3, pp. 203-258
March 26: Session 8
Topic 5 con’t.
Topic 6: America: Perfectionism and Sectionalism (1830’s to Mid-century)
Text: Ch. 8, pp. 202-205; Ch. 10, pp. 263-271; Ch. 11, pp. 277-286; Ch. 12, pp. 311-313
Discussion: April 1865: Part 3, pp. 259-347
March 29: Deadline for Student Withdrawals
April 2: Session 9
Topic 7: Antebellum America and Manifest Destiny (1840’s)
Text: Ch. 10, pp. 261-262; & Ch. 11, pp. 293-296; & Ch. 12, pp. 300-309
Discussion: April 1865: Part 4, pp. 351-363 and Epilogue, pp. 364-388
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Paper Due
April 9: Session 10
Exam II
Discussion: April 1865: The Month That Saved America
April 16: Session 11
Topic 8: American in Crisis: The Nation Divides (1850’s)
Text: Ch. 12, pp. 315-324 & Ch. 13
April 23: Session 12
Topic 9: America in Crisis: Civil War (1861-1865)
Text: Ch. 14 and Ch. 15
April 30: Session 13
Topic 10: Aftermath of War: Reconstruction and Reunion (1866-1877)
Text: Ch. 16, pp. 400-414; 420-426
May 7 : Session 14
Exam III (final)
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