HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO 1877
8 WEEK WEB COURSE FOR FALL 2016
COURSE NUMBER:: HIST 2003
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is an introductory history class exploring American life beginning with European
backgrounds; discovery and settlement; concluding with the Civil War and Reconstruction. The
survey encompasses the constitutional, political, social, and economic development of the
United States prior to 1877.
COURSE DATES: October 19 – December 9
INSTRUCTOR: Greg Kiser
EMAIL: gkiser@nwacc.edu
OFFICE: BH 2218
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Thursday 10:00 to 3:00; Friday by appointment; always
available through email: gkiser@nwacc.edu.
PHONE: 479-619-4227
BIOGRAPHY:
I began teaching here at NWACC in 1990. I received my undergraduate degree from Missouri
Southern State University and my graduate work from the University of Arkansas.
TEXTBOOK (required): Clicking on the textbook picture takes you to the publisher’s page
where you can buy the ebook for under $40.00.
Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty, Vol I (4th Edition). Click here to go to the publisher’s
“StudySpace” which has chapter outlines, documents, sample quizzes, etc. Very helpful!
Those two words, “Very helpful” mean what they say. The “StudySpace” is provided along
with the textbook and really does offer a great deal of information on each chapter to help you
study/review.
COURSE GOALS:
As America continues its unparalleled growth, our multicultural society appears ever
more diverse. There is, however, a common thread uniting each of us - our collective past.
United States history is the link to our uniqueness as a society. The United States History course
is an overview of that commonality.
COURSE SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES & COLLEGE-WIDE LEARNING
OBJECTIVES:
To accomplish the following NWACC and course outcomes, students should read and
complete all course assignments, make a sincere effort to be actively involved, and should work
cooperatively with other students and the instructor.
Course Specific Learning Outcomes
1. Through an examination of the American colonial experience, the student will identify
reasons for the establishment of colonies in America, especially as regards England.
2. By investigating the development of the American government and politics, the student
will identify differences between the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution
and analyze the Constitution’s impact on the new American government.
3. By observing the growth and division of early America, the student will trace American
expansion resulting in our becoming a coast-to-coast nation.
College-Wide Learning Objectives
Students can read selections at the appropriate level of education and describe the main
idea and supporting details. Students can evaluate written material objectively. Instructors will
utilize the course textbook and possible outside readings for a better understanding of each topic.
WHAT DOES THE COURSE AND COLLEGE-WIDE LEARNING OUTCOME WE
ARE FOCUSING ON THIS SEMESTER MEAN TO YOU?
ASSESSMENT:
The Department of Social Science is committed to ensuring our students come away from
our courses with a good general understanding of the material and specifically, to see that students
achieve the college-wide objectives through our course objectives. Each semester we break the
total number of college-wide course objectives into one or two (for the US I students, this semester,
only one). The instructors have chosen Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address to be assessed this
semester.
REQUIREMENTS:
The semester will consist of the “Opening Assignment” (worth 25 points), three exams
(each worth 100 points for 300 points total), fourteen chapter quizzes (there are fifteen chapters
so you have two the last period), fourteen periods of Discussions which follow the Chapter
Quizzes in subject matter (with a minimum of two posts each period), possible readings from the
Internet &/or films, and bonus point possibilities.
OPENING ASSIGNMENT:
This should be the easiest 25 points you will ever earn. All you have to do is read the
short “PowerPoint on Plagiarism” in the left hand navigation menu and answer the five
questions in the assignment. You have the first period to do it although it should take you about
20 minutes.
THE EXAMS:
Each exam is worth 100 points. You will have two days to complete the first exam, two
days for the second exam, and three days for the final exam, therefore:
Make-up tests are not allowed. This is very important - no make-up exams allowed.
You should rethink taking this class if you have a scheduling conflict (that means
vacation plans, doctors, whatever).
This also includes those who have accommodations for ADA. I have built in much,
much more time for each exam than should be necessary. There is no need for the usual “time
and a half” or “two times” accommodation for each exam as it is built in.
For each of the major exams there will be essay questions worth 20 to 40 points each
depending on the total number required. They are chosen at random and will come from the
"Review Sheet" for that exam (found as a link on the navigation menu). You will also have a
section of multiple-choice questions, possibly true/false, possibly several identification
terms. Read the “Essay Exams, My Thoughts” link on the main navigation menu on the left to
see exactly what I look for in your answers.
Because you have considerably more time to take the exam than should be necessary, it is
set up so you can come and go during the testing period. Do not hit the “submit” button until
you are ready for me to receive it. Do hit the “save” button often and certainly at the end of each
time you work on the quiz. I only see it when you submit it to me.
(This really is the biggest problem I have had. Hit the save button often and especially
the last thing before you submit it to me. If you worked on it for two days and hit “save”
then came back the next day and wrote your best material and hit “submit” without first
hitting “save” then “submit,” I will only see what you did for those prior two days and
nothing from the last time you logged on.) I also urge you to write your essay answers in
“Word” and then “copy/paste” to the test. I would write my answers in “Word” and
save them, then “copy/paste” to the exam.
THE END OF CHAPTER QUIZZES:
There is a chapter quiz each three days. The quizzes are located on the left navigation
menu under "Chapter Quizzes" and are due no later than the date posted (see “Important
Dates” also on the navigation menu and below).
Each period’s quiz is worth up to ten (10) points (you will do fourteen for a total of 140
points). Do not forget these chapter quizzes. They are a crucial part of the total points for the
class and are time sensitive. Be careful. Time will get away from you quickly.
Again, because you have several days to work on and turn in each quiz, keep track of
the due date for each quiz. If you miss the quiz deadline, for any reason, you will
receive a “0” for that quiz.
The quizzes have multiple-choice questions and may have true/false questions and other
formats. As with the major exams, the quiz requirement is set up so that you can come and go
throughout the time allotted. And as with the exams, do not hit the “submit” button until you are
ready for me to receive it. Also, hit the “save” button often and certainly at the end of each time
you work on the quiz. I only see it when you submit it to me.
DISCUSSIONS:
You are required to make use of the "Discussions" section by submitting at least two
discussion postings each period. The Discussions topics are by chapters and follow the
“Chapter Quizzes” time-line. Again:
each student is required to post at least two comments, inquiries, responses, statements
– mix and match – your choice, for fellow students That time period’s chapter is the
general topic. You must post twice each period. No partial credit is given.
Keep in mind that to receive the points, your posting must be relevant to the course
(chapter) material. A simple “hello,” or “hope you all do well on the test,” or “I agree,” will
not count. [Use the “Main” area for those types of postings.] There is not a minimum word
count for the discussions but one or two sentences will not be enough to get your point across.
Remember, you are writing a post about things in the chapter, and/or you are responding
to someone else’s post. You will receive ten (10) points for doing so and those 140 points
(fourteen periods) are included in your total grade. Failure to post at least two during that
particular session will be a zero and will hurt, if not ruin, your final grade. I am not posting a
general topic for you each period. Each chapter’s content is the topic of the discussions.
Keep track of the discussions timetable. If you miss posting during any discussion
time-period, or submit only one posting, you will receive a “0” for that topic.
PLAGIARISM! (IT WILL BE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES):
Because you have a good deal of time to take the exams and have the possibility to use
not only your textbook but other sources as well, I urge you to read and re-read the statement on
PLAGIARISM in the Student Handbook and in the PowerPoint presentation found in the left
hand navigation menu. Let me stress the importance. If you are guilty of plagiarism, whether
through carelessness or deliberate, whether from a source on the web or another students work
you will not only receive a zero for your assignment but in all likelihood, receive a zero for the
course.
GRADING:
One Opening Assignment, worth 25 points, three major exams, each worth 100 points;
the fourteen chapter quizzes are worth a total of 140 points, and the discussions section is worth
140 points for a grand total of 605 points.
605 - 544 A
543 - 484 B
483 - 423 C
422 - 363 D
BELOW 363 F
COURSE POLICIES:
ASSIGNMENTS/CHAPTER QUIZZES:
Any assignment (such as a chapter quiz) given will be due, without exception, within the
time allotted. Failure to meet the deadline of each assignment will result in a zero "0" for that
assignment. Make-up work is not allowed for assignments missed. Each is intended to keep
you on pace in the course, to allow you to open up a dialogue with other students in class, and to
generate some much needed points for your total grade. Not submitting them, however, could be
the difference between passing and failing this course. Again, because you have an entire period
to do each one, I will not accept late work.
NO MAKE-UP EXAMS:
Make-up exams are not allowed for those missing the regularly scheduled exam. You
have several days to do the tests and get them to me. However, you must be very careful to make
sure you turn in your exam within the given window. Otherwise, you will receive a zero "0" on
that exam. No exceptions. As you can see, the “Important Dates” will become your friend.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: (as quoted in the Student Handbook)
Definition:
Ensuring students understand the core value of academic honesty is an overarching
goal of all faculty and staff at NWACC. Academic honesty means students do their own work
and do not represent others’ work as their own.
(For more detail, refer to the PowerPoint slides found in the left hand menu on Blackboard.)
TECHNICAL SUPPORT, DEVICE RECOMMENDATION, ACADEMIC SUPPORT,
OFFICIAL ADA STATEMENT, GRADE OF “FP”, AND CLASS CONTINUATION
PLAN are now posted on the left hand navigation menu under “Syllabus Policies.”
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE:
The Social Science Department follows our NWACC Student Handbook regarding
proper steps to take should a grievance occur between fellow students, or the student and
instructor. The first step in any grievance is to bring the complaint to the attention of the
instructor. If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved, the student (and/or instructor) then contacts
the instructor's Chairman, Greg Kiser, gkiser@nwacc.edu. Because I am the chair, you would
contact the dean, Jerry Vervack, jvervack@nwacc.edu.
BONUS OPPORTUNITIES:
Check the "Bonus Opportunities" link frequently. There may be occasional readings
assigned from the web that I will place in the “Bonus Opportunities” link.
8 WEEK SEMESTER CALENDAR:
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE TO 1877 HIST 2003
8 WEEK WEB COURSE FOR FALL 2016
Important Dates
Schedule: Each Period
is three days long not
including exams and
the final period.
Week:
Assignments:
Period 1
10/19 – 10/21
OPENING ASSIGNMENT;
Chapter 1: A New World
Three things due this period:
Chapter 1 Quiz
Opening Assignment, Chapter Quiz, 2 Discussion Board Posts
Discussions.
Period 2
10/22 – 10/24
Chapter 2: Beginnings of English America, 1607–1660
Chapter 2 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Period 3
10/25 – 10/27
Chapter 3: Creating Anglo-America, 1660–1750
Chapter 3 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Period 4
10/28 – 10/30
FIRST EXAM PERIOD
10/31 11/01
Period 5
11/02 – 11/04
Chapter 4: Slavery, Freedom, and the Struggle for
Empire, to 1763
Chapter 4 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
FIRST EXAM
COVERS CHAPTERS 1 THROUGH 4
RUNS FROM 12:01AM ON OCTOBER 31
THROUGH 11:55PM ON NOVEMBER 1.
Chapter 5: The American Revolution, 1763–1783
Chapter 5 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Period 6
11/05 – 11/07
Chapter 6: The Revolution Within
Chapter 6 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Period 7
11/08 – 11/10
Period 8
11/11 – 11/13
Chapter 7: Founding a Nation, 1783–1791
Chapter 7 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Chapter 8: Securing the Republic, 1791–1815
Chapter 8 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Period 9
11/14 – 11/16
Chapter 9: The Market Revolution, 1800–1840
Chapter 9 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Period 10
11/17 – 11/19
Chapter 10: Democracy in America, 1815–1840
Chapter 10 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
SECOND EXAM PERIOD
11/20 – 11/21
SECOND EXAM
COVERS CHAPTERS 5 THROUGH 10
RUNS FROM 12:01AM ON NOVEMBER 20
THROUGH 11:55PM ON NOVEMBER 21
11/22 – 11/26
THANKSGIVING BREAK. Nothing due this week.
However I would advise you to continue reading.
Period 11
11/27 – 11/29
Chapter 11: The Peculiar Institution
Chapter 11 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Period 12
11/30 – 12/02
Chapter 12: An Age of Reform, 1820–1840
Chapter 12 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts
Period 13
12/03 – 12/05
Chapter 13: A House Divided, 1840–1861
Chapter 13 Quiz
2 Discussion Posts
Period 14
12/06 – 12/09
Two Chapters this period.
Chapter 14: A New Birth of Freedom: The Civil War,
1861–1865
Chapter 15: "What Is Freedom?” Reconstruction,
1865–1877.
Chapter 14 & 15 Quiz
2 Discussion Board Posts total although you have two
chapters from which to post.
THIRD AND FINAL EXAM
12/10 – 12/12
THIRD AND FINAL EXAM
COVERS CHAPTERS 11 THROUGH 15
RUNS FROM 12:01AM ON DECEMBER 10
THROUGH 11:55PM ON DECEMBER 12