Houston Community College
U.S. History before 1877 – Fall, 2013
Classroom:
Time:
Instructor:
E-mail:
Phone:
Learning Hub, Room 324
Monday/Wednesday 2:00-3:30
Christopher Scott
christopher.scott@hccs.edu
713-862-5583
1301-0022 Section 65001
Course description: This course is a survey of U.S. history from the founding of the American colonies to the end of
Reconstruction (1877). Covered will be the economic, political, military and social influences that shaped the people and the
nation. The course is taught using a lecture and note-taking format; discussion and questioning are encouraged. Also
covered will be current events and the impact the history we will learn this semester has had on current events. A good
deal of self-study is required.
Purpose: 1301 studies the broader questions and trends in American History. We will learn certain historical facts and
analyze the impact of governmental decisions made before 1877 that impact our lives today. We’ll focus on wars and other
“eras” and how these events have shaped America.
Course (Student) Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Discuss the Age of Exploration
Explain Colonization
Identify the causes and effects of the American Revolution
Explain the origins and impact of Slavery
Analyze the formation of the Republic
Summarize the effects of Expansion and Innovation
Explain Nationalism and Sectionalism
Discuss the Civil War
Evaluate the effects of Reconstruction
Program Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Create an argument through the use of historical evidence
Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources
Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural and global forces on this period of United States
history
Explain the importance of chronology and how earlier ideas and events shaped later events.
Textbook: The American Promise, Volume I – Roark, Johnson, Cohen, Stage, Hartmann (authors). Failure to purchase the
textbook will probably equate to a lower grade for the course. The textbook is necessary to complete the chapter review
sheets. Make sure you buy the book early – the bookstore may sell out quick! Please bring your text to every class.
ADA Statement: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office at the Southwest College at the
beginning of each semester. Faculty members are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the
Disability Support Services Office. If you have any questions, please contact the disability counselor at your college.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend class regularly and are responsible for materials covered during any
absences. Class attendance is checked each class, and a student may be dropped from the course for excessive absence
(excessive absence is missing five (5) or more class meetings). Please see me if you are having problems attending
regularly and keep me posted regarding any extended absences you may have because of work, family, etc. Please note
that if you decide to drop the course, you should do so by the drop date. Failing to drop by the drop date keeps you on the
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class roster. In the past, students have stopped attending, believing the instructor would automatically drop them. They
were not always dropped (it is not the instructor’s responsibility) and received an F for the course. Don’t jeopardize your
transcript/GPA by failing to turn in the proper paperwork on time.
Classroom Conduct: The HCC student handbook states that “an instructor may establish additional reasonable behavioral
guidelines for his/her class.” Therefore, please be courteous to your fellow students and refrain from disruptive behavior.
Disruptive behavior includes walking around, making a lot of noise with your bag, talking to other students, talking out loud,
taking/making phone calls, having beepers go off, texting, swearing/cursing, etc.
Disruptive behavior also includes wearing hats, t-shirts, and/or other clothing bearing potentially disruptive messages and
symbols (i.e. swastikas, bad language, reference to body parts and/or lewd acts, neo-Nazi symbols, messages directed
toward a specific race, religion, or ethnicity, and pictures of controversial individuals such as Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Guevara,
Manson, etc.). As the HCC student handbook states, “students must exercise their liberty with responsibility.” So please
refrain from making highly controversial and inflammatory statements and please refrain from wearing controversial and
highly inflammatory apparel. The instructor will make the final determination as to what is or is not offensive.
Some students may feel that they have more freedom because they are on a college campus. However, this is not true, as
the HCC student handbook states: “A student is not entitled to greater immunities or privileges under this policy than those
enjoyed by other citizens generally.”
Finally, water, soda, coffee, and hi-energy drinks such as Red Bull are allowed in the classroom. Please dispose of the cups
and cans as you leave the classroom. However, no food is allowed. Please eat in designated areas throughout the
building, not in the classroom.
Exams: Exams may be a combination of multiple-choice questions and essays or only multiple choice questions. One or
two exams may be a combination, and one or two may be multiple choice only. A combination of material from class
lectures and the notes you take during those lectures, in addition to handouts and the chapter review sheets, will be used to
formulate exam questions.
•
Do not just read the chapters. Use the textbook as a reference. Only those
points made during the lectures, in addition to information on handouts and
the chapter review sheets, should be referenced in the textbook. There will be
small portions of each chapter not covered, so reading each chapter is not a good
idea.
During exams, all electronic devices must remain off and completely out of sight. Try to be quiet during each exam so you
don’t disturb other students. If you come to an exam more than ten (10) minutes late, you will not be admitted. You will
have to take a makeup if you are more than ten (10) minutes late. Also, do not leave the classroom during an exam. If you
miss an exam, make arrangements with me to take a make-up. If you miss the make-up exam, you will receive a grade of
“F” for that exam.
Course Requirements: You are required to complete all of the following:
Exam #1
15%
Exam #2
15%
Exam #3
15%
Book Review/Paper
25%
Historical evidence essay
15%
Historical forces analytical essay
15%
• Please note that all of the above are requirements. Failure to fulfill any one or more of the requirements translates to an
“F” for the semester.
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Please note that all students must pass at least one exam with a minimum score of 60. Failure to achieve a score
of 60 on at least one exam will result in an “F” for the course.
Grading Scale:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F Below 60
• Please note that an “I” grade (incomplete) can only be given if there are extenuating circumstances. In other words, a
student has done considerably well all semester and has completed at least 80% of the course work and exams and then
something happens (illness, accident, family problem, etc.). Then, and only then, after proper documentation, can an “I” be
given.
Exam questions are written based on information from a few sources:
Lecture + chapter review sheets + handouts
Explanation: An exam question may come from: 1) a statement made during a lecture, 2) information written
on the board during a lecture (most often 1 & 2 are the same), 3) information from a handout, and 4)
information acquired by answering the questions on the review sheets (indicating self-study is to be done by
the student).
NOTE: Exam #3 must be taken during final exam week. No exceptions. The book review presentation must
be given during the last class of the semester. No exceptions.
Book Review/Presentation: Each student must read a book and hand in a four (4) page paper in addition to making a
presentation in class for the book. You may choose any topic in American History (between 1607 and 1877) that interests
you. The book must be non-fiction; show me the book when you obtain it so I can determine whether it is suitable. Your
class presentation should match your paper and be a summary of the book. Be sure to read the Preface and/or
Introduction, since this is where the author usually informs the reader what he/she wants to accomplish by writing the book.
NOTE: Be careful when selecting your book. Take your time with this task. Students often select books that are not
interesting and/or too difficult. Students sometimes select books that are too broad (for example, you can’t do a five minute
presentation on World War II – it’s just too much information to cover). Be careful!
Make sure you do not pick a book that is “edited by” someone. That kind of book is simply a collection of articles or
chapters by different authors. Also, no diaries, memoirs, books of famous documents, political science (government) books,
or online books allowed. Books must be a minimum of 225 pages (not counting glossaries, indexes, etc.) and be a minimum
of 5 ¾ wide by 8 ½ inches long. Please do not send e-mails regarding book selection; all discussions regarding books
should be done during class time.
Students will be required to turn their paper in to turnitin.com. This website will check your paper to determine whether
or not any portion of the paper has been downloaded from a website or turned in as another paper by another student
somewhere else (high school and college). Please make sure your paper is in your own words. There should be a
0% score on your paper from turnitin.com, and there should be absolutely no reference to any internet resources when your
paper is scored. A reference to a website will mean that you will have to do your paper over again.
Your paper format is double-spaced, 11 font, and 1” margins all around; use Arial, Times New Roman, or Tahoma as a font.
Citations and a separate bibliography page are not necessary. Use a cover page, and it should include your name, course
time, and title with author of your book. No plastic covers, and please staple!
Essays. As listed on page one of this syllabus, HCC has mandated specific program learning outcomes. Using information
available on the internet, in addition to other sources (such as books), complete program learning objectives one (1) and
three (3) in essay form and turn them in on the last day of the semester. The topics for these essays must be presented to
the instructor and approved – the sooner the better! The essays together represent 30% of your grade, so select topics as
soon as possible, have them approved, and work on them diligently throughout the semester. It would be prudent to be
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done with your essays several weeks before the semester ends, because at the end of the semester your book review is due
and final exams are the next week.
Your essays should follow the same format as the book review with regard to font, spacing, etc. The length of the essays is
a minimum of two (2) pages.
The Learning Web. Students can access my page on The Learning Web to print handouts, chapter reviews, sample exam
questions, etc. A copy of this syllabus is also available on The Learning Web. Go to the HCC website at hccs.edu, then click
on Southwest (up at the top). Then click on The Learning Web. Then type in Christopher Scott to find my page.
Academic Conduct: At all times act with the utmost honesty and integrity when fulfilling the requirements of this (and all)
your college courses. Cheating, plagiarism, etc., even if very slight, will result in a student being turned in to the college for
academic dishonesty and/or given an “F” for the course. Do your own work, not the work of a fellow student or the work of
an individual with something to say or sell on the internet. Avoid the temptation of plagiarism! Each semester at least a
few students are dealt with harshly because of cheating and/or plagiarism. Save yourself the embarrassment and refrain
from any unworthy acts.
Withdrawal from the class. Every semester there are a few students who are doing poorly so they no longer show up.
They assume I will drop them from the course. This is not true. If you decide to stop showing up, you must drop the
course yourself. Go to the registrar and get the appropriate form and I will sign it. You can also drop online if you wish. If
you don’t withdraw, the only grade I can enter at the end of the semester is an F. Avoid the F because it hurts your grade
point average. If for any reason you can no longer continue, drop the class yourself. Be sure you are aware of the final
day you can withdraw from classes (see Class Schedule).
Keys to Success
1.
Come every class period, on time, and take a lot of notes.
2.
Refresh (study) class lecture notes every day for 20 minutes.
3.
Use chapter review sheets in conjunction with lecture notes and any handouts.
4.
Pick your book early and read immediately. Write a good paper and make a great presentation.
5.
Start your essays very early in the semester and get them done ahead of time.
Study Tips. The best way to effectively study for each exam is to refresh your memory each day, going over the notes in
class. If you do not, and instead “cram” the night before, your grade will most probably be lower. You only have to spend
about 20 minutes a day going over the material. If you review the information presented in class within 72 hours, your
brain cells remember the information, even two or three weeks down the road. By “cramming” unappealing information
(and pulling an “all-nighter”) into your head the night you will probably get lower grades.
It is highly recommended that you use flash cards to study. They’re inexpensive and effective. Review the cards you
prepare while at a stop light, on a break at work, etc. Just making the cards is helping you study. Flash cards are a very
effective tool that “A” students use quite often. Studying in groups is also very effective. Utilize the rooms here on campus
set aside for students. Friday and Saturday mornings are great times to get together to quiz each other on the review
sheets and issues discussed in class.
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Class Schedule
Date
Day
Activity/Reading Assignment
Aug 26
Monday
Introduction to class, cover syllabus and schedule. Introduction to Chapter 1:
indigenous populations of North America; why Europeans explored and colonized the
New World; the “class of cultures” that occurred once the Europeans began to colonize.
Aug 28
Wednesday
Continue discussion from Monday; Jamestown colony, Plymouth
Colony; Massachusetts Bay Colony; the “seeds of freedom” that were
planted during the colonial period.
Sept 2
Monday
No class – Labor Day Holiday
Sept 4
Wednesday
Chapter 2 Discuss Roger Williams; Anne Hutchinson; William Penn; Lawes
& Liberties; Frame of Government; Laws, Concessions and Agreements of
West Jersey.
Sept 9
Monday
Chapter 3 Discuss Navigation Acts; French and Indian War; Revenue Act.
Sept 11
Wednesday
Chapter 4 Discuss Transportation Act; American Enlightenment; Molasses
Act; Hat and Felt Act; Iron Act
Sept 16
Monday
Chapter 4 Discuss the Great Awakening; Seven-Years War; William Pitt
Sept 18
Wednesday
Chapter 5 Discuss immediate causes of the American Revolution; Samuel
Adams; James Otis; Patrick Henry; Thomas Paine; the Declaration of Independence.
Sept 23
Monday
Chapter 5 Discuss Lexington and Concord; the Battle of Long Island;
Trenton and Princeton.
Sept 25
Wednesday
Chapter 5 Discuss Valley Forge; Saratoga; Cowpens; Yorktown.
Sept 30
Monday
First Examination
Oct 2
Wednesday
Chapter 6 Discuss federal republic; Shay’s Rebellion; Constitutional Convention; Virginia Plan;
New Jersey Plan; Great Compromise; Discuss separation of powers; bicameral legislature;
powers of Congress; powers of the executive branch.
Oct 7
Monday
Chapter 7 Discuss powers of the judicial branch; Washington administration; Adams; Alien and
Sedition Acts; Jeffersonian Democracy; Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Oct 9
Wednesday
Chapter 8 Discuss Louisiana Purchase; Marbury v. Madison; Fletcher v.
Peck; impressment of American sailors; Embargo Act; Madison adminiStration; War of 1812
Oct 14
Monday
Chapter 9 Discuss the Panic of 1819; Missouri Compromise; sectionalism; canals and
steamboats; factories; cities; McCulloch v. Maryland; Gibbons v. Ogden, Monroe Doctrine
Oct 16
Wednesday
Chapter 10 Discuss the democratic ferment; “corrupt bargain;” Jacksonian
democracy; Trail of Tears; nullification crisis
Oct 21
Monday
Chapter 10 Discuss national bank; Van Buren; Panic of 1837; Independent
Sub-treasury
Oct 23
Wednesday
Chapter 11 Discuss the daily life of slaves; Nat Turner; planter’s world;
King Cotton; Hinton Helper; internal slave trade; southern economy
Oct 28
Monday
Chapter 12 Discuss cult of domesticity; public education movement; abolitionism; Declaration
of Sentiments; asylums
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Second Examination
Oct 30
Wednesday
Nov 1
Last day to drop with a “W”
Nov 4
Monday
Chapter 13 Discuss the Texas revolution; Manifest Destiny; Polk and
Expansionism
Nov 6
Wednesday
Discuss Mexican-American War; the age of practical inventions
Nov 11
Monday
Chapter 14 Discuss the Compromise of 1850; Wilmot Proviso; KansasNebraska Act; cultural sectionalism.
Nov 13
Wednesday
Discuss Dred Scott decision; Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Nov 18
Monday
Chapter 15 Discuss secession of the Deep South; Fort Sumter; resources
of the Union and the Confederacy; Bull Run; Shiloh; Seven Pines; Seven Days;
Antietam.
Nov 20
Wednesday
Chapter 15 Discuss Chancellorsville, Gettysburg
Nov 25
Monday
Chapter 15 Discuss Lee vs. Grant, 1864; war’s end; Lincoln assassination
Nov 27
Wednesday
Chapter 16 Discuss Reconstruction; Johnson’s plan; radical plan of
Congress
Dec 2
Monday
Chapter 16 Discuss Black codes, share-cropping; 13th-15th amendments
Dec 4
Wednesday
Book review/presentation
Dec 9-15
Final Exam Week
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