Prof. Monica Ketchum
mketchum@mail.sdsu.edu
760-897-4900
Office: Faculty East-124E
Office Hours: F, 11:45-12:30
& by appointment
HISTORY 413: U.S. HISTORY FOR TEACHERS
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a survey of United States history from pre-colonial period
to World War I, incorporating California, with emphasis on historiography and relationship
between philosophy of history and teaching.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to subject
content that meets the requirements for teaching U.S. history at the K-12 level. The course will
explore the main historical issues, debates and themes in US history from its earliest beginnings
through the World War I, with a focus on the “long nineteenth century.” Students will be
expected to think critically about the materials presented in class, including examining and
interpreting primary documents and relating social issues in the past to the present.
Students should have prior college-level knowledge of the history of the United States.
Although we will be reviewing content during class, it is the responsibility of the student to fill
in the gaps with outside readings. To that end, several textbooks are on reserve in the library
for student use. These textbooks may also be used as resources when completing the lesson
plan project.
OFFICE HOURS: I am available to meet individually with any student to discuss problems,
questions or concerns about the course. I am available in my office (East Faculty Bldg, #124E)
Fridays, 11:45-12:15; at the Brawley campus Tues, Wed & Thur from 6:45pm-7:15pm or by
appointment.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Takaki, Ronald. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America, Revised Ed. Back Bay
Books. 2008. ISBN: 978-0-316-02236-1
Woodard, Colin. American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North
America. Penguin. 2011. ISBN: 978-0-14-312202-9
Other resources to be posted on Blackboard.
TEACHING METHODS: A variety of presentation and teaching methods will be used throughout
the course of this class. Lectures will draw from the assigned texts as well as outside sources
included on Blackboard. Visual aids, films and in class activities will also supplement the
required readings. Students should complete assigned reading before attending class and take
lecture notes to receive the most benefit from the class time and achieve the most success in
the course.
EVALUATION: Grades will be earned by completing an assortment of learning activities, exams,
assignments and participation.
1. 40% Quizzes & Exams
Two mid-term exams and one final exam will be given. Each exam
will include identification and short answer questions relating to
the specific era under study. The final exam will also include
longer essay questions covering broader issues addressed in the
course. See the class schedule for due dates.
2. 20% Lesson Plan Project
Students will be required to develop a lesson plan that you would
use to teach a classroom full of students based on the California
State history standards. Details on format, specific tasks and due
dates will be outlined in a separate handout. Project
presentations will be given on 12/4.
3. 20% Writing Assignments Assignments based on the readings, primary and secondary
sources and maps will be assigned weekly. Assignments may be
submitted through links in Blackboard or in class. See the class
schedule for due dates.
4. 20% Attendance
& Participation
Students are expected to come to class prepared and actively
participate in class discussions and group activities. Points will be
deducted for absences and awarded for participation in graded
class discussions and group activities.
GRADING: The course grade is based on total points accumulated during the semester.
It is possible to earn a total of up to 750 points for the class. Grades are calculated as follows:
ABCD-
To A = 675-750 points
To B+ = 600-674 points
To C+ = 525-599 points
To D+ = 450-524 points
F = 0-449 points
LATE ASSIGNMENTS & MAKE-UP EXAMS: Late assignments will not be accepted. Make up
exams are only available to students who have a serious illness or valid excuse that makes it
impossible to take the regularly scheduled exam.
INCOMPLETES: If you are unable to complete the course due to an illness or personal problem,
you have the option to request an “Incomplete” for the course and make up the coursework
within one academic year. Failure to complete the coursework results in a grade being assigned
based on the points you accumulated in the class, usually resulting in an “F.”
ACCOMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS: I am happy to work with all students so that each can
achieve his/her educational objectives. Any student with a documented disability who may
need educational accommodations should notify me and the Disabled Student Services (DSS)
office located in the Student Affairs building. For more information, call 760-768-5509.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is strongly encouraged, especially since History courses usually take
a chronological approach. Absences can leave gaps that cannot easily be filled. Classroom
discussions and other in-class activities can not be made up, therefore, to ensure you receive
the best possible grade, attendance is important. Students are responsible for all materials,
assignments and information given in class regardless of whether you were in class.
Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from class. Do not assume that your
instructor will drop you from the class because of poor attendance and or poor test scores. If
you decide to drop the course, take the responsibility of notifying Admissions and Records. The
last day to withdraw from the class and receive a “W” is October 30th.
CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and
professional manner. Disruptive and disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Cell phones,
ipods and other electronic equipment must not be used during class. Arriving late, leaving
early, eating, sleeping, talking, whispering, etc. disrupt the learning environment and can result
in your removal from the class. If you need to leave early, please inform me ahead of time and
take care not to disturb the rest of the class upon exiting.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: A college education is supposed to be challenging and requires hard
work. Students must do their own work. Cheating, plagiarism and turning in work that you did
not write will not be tolerated. Students suspected of cheating will be counseled and
disciplinary action will be taken. Penalties for acts of academic dishonesty and student
misconduct are severe and may include dismissal from the college. For a complete discussion of
disciplinary procedures for academic dishonesty or other student misconduct, please refer to
the current SDSU Catalog.
Class Lecture, Reading and Assignment Schedule
*Reading assignments should be completed prior to each class meeting
WEEK/DATE
Week 1
Aug 27
Week 1
Tasks
Week 2
Sept 3
Week 2
Tasks
Week 3
Sept 10
Week 3
Tasks
Week 4
Sept 17
Week 4
Tasks
Week 5
Sept 24
Week 5
Tasks
Week 6
Oct 1
Week 6
Tasks
Week 7
Oct 8
Week 7
Tasks
Week 8
Oct 15
Week 8
Tasks
Week 9
Oct 22
Week 9
Tasks
LECTURES AND ASSIGNMENTS
Introduction and Review of Syllabus
Review of California State Standards; Common Core
Introductions; Map Exercise Assigned, due 9/3
Familiarize yourself with Blackboard; View items in Course Info and Week 1 folders
Acknowledgment Quiz due 9/3
Before it was “America”: Earliest Beginnings to 1600
Class Discussion #1; Map Exercise due 9/3
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 2 folder
Assignment #1 due 9/10
Foundations: England and Expansion
Read A Different Mirror, pp23-34; American Nations, pp1-22
Class Discussion #2
Project Assigned 9/10
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 3 folder
Assignment #2 due 9/17
Colonizing the New World
Read A Different Mirror, pp34-48; American Nations, pp23-72
Class Discussion #3
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 4 folder
Assignment #3 due 9/24
Late Colonial America
Read American Nations, pp73-111
Class Discussion #4
Project Assignments Finalized 9/24
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 5 folder
Assignment #4 due 10/1
Slavery and the Slave Trade
Read A Different Mirror, pp49-71; 98-130
Class Discussion #5
Review for Exam #1
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 6 folder
Assignment #5 due 10/8
Exam #1 Available in Blackboard 10/5-10/15
Revolutionary America, 1754-1814
Read American Nations, pp115-170
Class Discussion #6
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 7 folder
Assignment #6 due 10/15
Exam #1 due 10/15
Native America: Removal, Reservations, Renewal
Read A Different Mirror, pp79-97; 214-231
Class Discussion #7
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 8 folder
Assignment #7 due 10/22
Industrialization, Transcendentalism and the Transformation of American Society
Read A Different Mirror, pp131-154
Class Discussion #8
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 9 folder
Assignment #8 due 10/29
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WEEK/DATE
Week 10
Oct 29
Week 10
Tasks
Week 11
Nov 5
Week 11
Tasks
Week 12
Nov 12
Week 12
Tasks
Week 13
Nov 19
Week 13
Tasks
Week 14
Nov 26
Week 14
Tasks
Week 15
Dec 3
Week 15
Tasks
Week 16
Dec 10
Week 16
Tasks
Finals Week
Dec 12-18
LECTURES AND ASSIGNMENTS
Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny
Read American Nations, pp173-253; A Different Mirror , pp155-176
Class Discussion #9
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 10 folder
Assignment #9 due 11/5
California
Read A Different Mirror, pp177-205; 252-261; 292-310
Class Discussion #10
Review for Exam #2
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 11 folder
Assignment #10 due 11/12
Exam #2 available in Blackboard 11/9-11/19
Sectionalism, Lincoln and Civil War
Class Discussion #11
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 12 folder
Assignment #11 due 11/19
Exam #2 due 11/19
Reconstruction and Deconstruction
Read American Nations, pp294-313
Class Discussion #12
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 13 folder
Assignment #12 due 11/26
Gilded Age & Progressive Era
Read American Nations, pp254-273; A Different Mirror, pp262-291, 311-332
Class Discussion #13
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 14 folder
Assignment #13 due 12/3
Imperialism and WWI
Read American Nations, pp286-294; A Different Mirror, pp232-251; 259-261
Class Discussion #14
View presentation, videos and assignments in Week 15 folder
Assignment #14 due 12/10
Presentations and Wrap-up
Projects Due 12/10
Review for final exam
Final Exam available in Blackboard 12/12-12/17
Final Exam in class 7:25-8:25pm, Tuesday, December 17
Projects returned
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