Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences
Course Syllabus for Students Fall 2011
Course Prefix and Number: HIST 135
Course Title: U.S. History to 1865
Section: 01
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Tuesday, Thursday 9:30-10:45
Introduction:
This course will provide a knowledge of the major developments that have shaped
America from its early beginnings and of its fundamental institutions and values. This
knowledge is essential to an understanding of contemporary American society, its cultural
and ethnic diversity, and the exercise of the responsibilities of citizenship.
Catalog Description:
This course covers the major political, social, economic and diplomatic trends that have shaped
the United States from the early explorations of America to the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, ENGL 101 or its equivalent.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Dr. Scott W. Rager
Phone number to contact instructor: 268-8585, e-mail: scott.rager@heartland.edu
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2110
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: MW: 1:00-2:00; TTR: 11:00-12:00;
F: 10:00-11:00
Textbook:
Required Liberty, Equality, Power, Compact Fifth Edition Vol. 1, Murrin Et. Al,
Harcourt Brace Publisher.
Major Problems in American History Volume 1, Hoffman & Gjerde, Wadsworth
Cengage.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
(Indicate if course is General Education/IAI)
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult with an academic advisor for transfer
information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for
more information.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Learning Outcome
General
Education
Outcomes
Range of Assessment
Methods
Distinguish between primary and secondary sources as
the foundation of modern historical scholarship from
1400 to 1865.
PS1
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project,
other methods
Interpret primary sources critically by analyzing their
historical contexts.
CT3
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project,
other methods
Formulate historical interpretations, both in discussion CO4
and in writing, and defend them critically with reference
to primary and secondary sources.
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, oral
report, other methods
Incorporate into historical interpretations, both in
CT3
discussion and in writing, an understanding of historical
causation reflecting a) knowledge of important figures
and events and their chronological relationship to each
other and b) an awareness of the contingent relationships.
Acquire at one and the same time a comprehension of
DI3
diverse cultures and shared humanity, as evidenced both
orally and in writing.
exams, quizzes, research
Paper, group project, oral
report, other methods
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, oral
report, other methods
TOPIC OUTLINE FOR THE COURSE:
The following topics are to be covered during the instructional process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
Discovery and Early Exploration
English Colonization and Colonial Society
The American Revolution
Confederation and Constitution
The Federalist Era
Jefferson and the War of 1812
Jacksonian Democracy
Manifest Destiny and the Mexican War
Antebellum Society and Culture
Slavery and Sectional Conflict
The Civil War
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
1 midterm exam 100 points
1 final exam 150 points
2 quizzes, 50 points each
2 document discussion assignments, 50 points each
1 research paper topic proposal, 25 points
1 research paper status report, 50 points
1 research paper, 8-10 pages, 100 points
625 Points total:
90% 625-562=A
80% 561-500=B
70% 499-437=C
60% 436-375=D
Below 60% = F
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the activities of
each class session. Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. Outstanding attendance as well
as participation will impact the determination of borderline final grades.
Incompletes
An incomplete may be given at the instructor’s discretion, if the student, by the withdrawal date,
can reasonably be expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified
by extreme circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate
family) See College Catalog for further information.
Extra-Credit: No extra credit is anticipated for this class.
Make-up of Tests and Assignments:
All make-ups are granted at the discretion of the instructor and will be determined according to
the individual merits of the case. Students are required to contact the instructor by email or
by phone within 24 hours after a quiz or an exam is missed to make arrangements for a
make-up at the testing center. Failure to follow this policy will result in grade penalties.
Deadlines: Assignments received late will be penalized. Please note: All students must
complete a research paper in order to pass this class.
Required Reading and Writing: This course requires approximately 30-40 pages of reading
per session or 500 per semester. A minimum of 15 pages of college level writing is required in
this course. Writing assignments include an 8-10 page research paper, essays on exams,
discussion write-ups and other projects as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Specifications for written materials:
Written materials will be formatted exactly as they are in English classes, ie standard MLA
format.
Student Conduct: Inappropriate behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated by the instructor. At
all times students should endeavor to conduct themselves in an honest and mature manner. Cell
phones should be turned off upon entering class. Absolutely no use of cell phones is allowed,
including texting, during class time. Please also note that no food or beverages with the
exception of water are allowed in the classroom.
Syllabi Disclaimer: Changes to the Course Calendar may be made during the course of the class.
This is sometimes unavoidable and students will be notified in class should changes become
necessary.
Course Calendar
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in
the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web
site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might
contain a message from the instructor.
Dates for class topics/reading/exams.
Note: Lecture topics are in bold face type; the pages listed after each chapter are those
corresponding to the lecture topic. Students are expected to read the chapters in the textbook
completely.
STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS/CALENDAR
Date
Topic
Week 1 Aug. 23, 25
Introduction, Early Settlement
Chap.1 pp.1-42 Chap.2 pp.43-68
Week 2 Aug. 30, Sept. 1
The New England Colonies
Chap.2 pp.68-76
Week 3 Sept. 6, 8
The Southern and Middle Colonies
Chap.2 pp.76-89, Chap.4 pp.148-149
Research Topic due Sept. 8
Week 4 Sept.13, 15
Tensions in Colonial Society
Chap 3 pp. 90-96,101-116, Chap.4 pp.150-155,
Chap.5 pp.203-205
Week 5 Sept. 20, 22
The Colonies and the British Empire
Chap. 3 pp.97-101,117-132; Chap.4 pp.155-180
Week 6 Sept. 27, 29
The Colonies in Revolt
Chap.5 pp.181-220
Research Paper Status Report due Sept.27
Student Meetings with Instructor
Week 7 Oct. 4, 6
The American Revolution
Chap.6 pp.221-230, 236-250
Student Meetings with Instructor
Week 8 Oct. 11, 13
The American Revolution (cont.)
Midterm Exam Oct. 13
In order to qualify to take the Midterm Exam,
1. a Research Progress Report must
have been submitted and
2. the student must have met with the instructor
Week 9 Oct. 18, 20
The Confederation Period
Chap.6 pp.230-236, 250-259
the Federal Republic
Chap.6 pp.259-264, Chap.7 pp.265-282
Week 10 Oct 25, 27
Jeffersonian Democracy
Chap.7 pp.282-296
The War of 1812 and the Early National Era
Chap.7 pp.296-306, Chap. 11 pp. 410-417
(Reading not directly covered by lecture topics but required for
background and understanding: Chapters 8, 9 & 10)
Draft of Research Paper due to Writing or
Tutoring Services. Appointment must be
completed no later than October 28.
Week 11 Nov.1, 3
The Age of Jackson
Chap.11 pp. 420-446.
The Second Party System
Chap.11 pp.446-452
Week 12 Nov. 8, 10
Manifest Destiny & the Mexican War
Chap.13 pp.485-501.
Research Papers due Nov. 10
Week 13 Nov. 15, 17
Abolitionism, Freesoilism, and Sectionalism
Chap.12 pp. 473-477, Chap.13 pp.501-516
Week 14 Nov. 22
The Crisis of the 1850's
Chap.14 517-554
Week 15 Nov. 29, Dec. 1
The Broken Union
Chap.15 pp.555-578
Week 16 Dec. 6, 8
The Civil War
Chap.16 pp.578-624.
Week 17
Final Exam
Thursday, December 15, 8:00-9:50