HISTORY 1301-N03 (CRN# 22172)
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES I
SYLLABUS – SPRING 2013
Instructor: Thomas Born
Office ph: 979-830-4247
Email/web: eCampus e-mail (preferred); tborn@blinn.edu;
Born on the Web
Office: Old Main/Rm. 403
Hours: MW 1:30-4:00 PM
TR 1:30-4:00 PM
Other times by appointment
General Course Description
History 1301 is a survey of United States history that begins with the migration of people to the western
hemisphere and continues through the Civil War and Reconstruction period. The course focuses on the periods
of discovery, colonization, revolution, and nation building. Material presented covers a wide variety of topics
encompassing social, cultural, intellectual, military and political history. Credit: Three semester hours.
Prerequisites: Appropriate score on the THEA test or alternative test or completion of READ 0306 with a
grade of C or better. This is a core course in the 42-hour core curriculum of Blinn College. As such, students
will develop proficiency in the appropriate Intellectual Competencies, Exemplary Educational Objectives, and
Perspectives. Information is available on the Core Curriculum website.
Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of HIST 1301, students will be able to:
 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
The primary reason for studying American history is to understand how the United States emerged and then
evolved into a modern, complex, and diverse nation. After all, American culture is the direct product of the
trials, tribulations, successes, and failures of the past. A less obvious reason, but just as important, is to realize
that history is more than a simple record of the past; it is interpretation and interpretations change. Therefore,
history “changes.” Discussing why interpretations vary aids in the development of critical and analytical
thinking skills, which is beneficial for all intellectual pursuits.
Required Texts/Supplies
Henretta, James A., et. al. America’s History. 7th ed., Vol. 1
Yazawa, Melvin. Documents for America’s History, 7th ed., Vol. 1
Any other readings will be provided online.
General Description of Course Requirements
Major exams and the final exam – multiple choice, true/false and short-essay questions
Discussions – asynchronous online postings requiring both original comments and replies/rebuttals
Critiques/analyses – essays that relate historical circumstances and considerations to present-day issues
Practice quizzes – 10-question, 10-minute, open-book quizzes over each chapter in the textbook
Participation is all or nothing. Three requirements: (1) complete all the assignments; (2) complete them on
time; (3) have 0 “absences” and you will receive the entire 10%. Anything less receives 0%.
Extra credit: None. This class is the real world and there is no extra credit in life. Let’s be honest with
ourselves. If you don’t have time to do your best on the requirements, when are you going to find time to do
something extra?
All exams, quizzes and written assignments will be completed online, therefore it is your responsibility
to have a reliable internet connection. “I didn’t have a way to connect….” or “My service went down in
the middle of my_____.....” are not acceptable excuses. You risk receiving a 0 for whatever you missed.
Make-ups
Assignments will be posted for at least one week; therefore, I don’t anticipate any make-ups being necessary.
However, I will address any particularly unusual circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Grades
Major exams + final exam
Discussions
Critiques/analyses
Participation
Total
50%
20%
20%
10%
100%
A: > 90%; B: 80-89%; C: 70-79%; D: 60-69%; F: < 59%
Classroom Civility
Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected to act
honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life. Blinn College holds all members accountable for their
actions and words. Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes
personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights, and freedoms of every member of
the College community, including respect for College property and the physical and intellectual property of
others. Civility Notification Statement: If a student is asked to leave the (virtual) classroom because of
uncivil behavior, the student may not return to that class until he or she arranges a conference with the faculty
member. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for this conference.
This statement reflects step one in a possible four-step process. The Incivility Protocol is detailed in the Blinn
College Student Handbook.
Blinn College Attendance Policy
The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are
required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. A record of attendance will be maintained from
the first day of classes and/or the first day the student’s name appears on the roster through final
examinations. If a student has one week’s worth of unexcused absences during the semester, he or she will
be sent an e-mail by the College District requiring the student to contact his or her instructor and schedule a
conference immediately to discuss his/her attendance issues. Should the student accumulate two weeks’
worth of unexcused absences, he or she will be administratively withdrawn from class.
There are four forms of excused absences recognized by the institution:
1. Observance of religious holy days – the student should notify his or her instructor(s) not later than the
15th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent for any religious
holy day(s)
2. Representing the College District at an official institutional function
3. High school dual credit students representing the independent school district at an official institutional
function
4. Military service.
Other absences may be considered excused at the discretion of the faculty member with appropriate
documentation. A student enrolled in a developmental course is subject to College District-mandated
attendance policies. Failure to attend developmental classes shall result in removal from the course as
defined by the College District.
It is the student’s responsibility to officially drop a class he or she is no longer attending. To officially drop a
class the student must obtain the class withdrawal form from Enrollment Services, complete the class
withdrawal form, secure the required signatures, and return the completed form to Enrollment Services. The
last day to drop this semester with a Q is April 12.
So, how will this apply to our online class? As follows:
You must log in to this class and complete at least one practice quiz and/or one assignment per
week. Failure to do so in any given week will count as one week's absence. If it happens again, that will
count as the second week's absence. The weeks in which a student fails to accomplish this do not have to
be consecutive. Failure to access the class and complete a quiz/assignment for any two week period
during the semester will result in being withdrawn from the course.
Scholastic Integrity
Blinn College does not tolerate cheating, plagiarism, or any other act of dishonesty with regard to the course in
which you are enrolled. The following text defines the faculty member’s responsibility with regard to the
scholastic integrity expectation for this and all courses at Blinn College.
It is the responsibility of faculty members to maintain scholastic integrity at the College District by refusing to
tolerate any form of scholastic dishonesty. Adequate control of test materials, strict supervision during testing,
and other preventive measures should be utilized, as necessary, to prevent cheating or plagiarism. If there is
compelling evidence that a student is involved in cheating or plagiarism, the faculty member should assume
responsibility and address the infraction. Likewise, any student accused of scholastic dishonesty is entitled to
due process as outlined in Blinn College Board Policy FLB (Local). The Scholastic Integrity Policy is located
in the Blinn College Student Handbook. In a case of scholastic dishonesty, it is critical that written
documentation be maintained at each level throughout the process.
Students with Disabilities
Blinn College is dedicated to providing the least restrictive learning environment for all students. Support
services for students with documented disabilities are provided on an individual basis, upon request. Requests
for services should be made directly to the Office of Special Populations serving the campus of your choice.
For the Bryan campus, the Office of Special Populations (Administration Building) can be reached at
(979)209-7251. The Brenham, Sealy and Schulenburg campuses are served by the Office of Special
Populations on the Brenham campus (Administration Building Room 104) and can be reached at (979)8304157. Additional information can be found on the Disability Services website.
Final Grade Appeals Policy
If a student wishes to appeal a final grade in a course, Blinn College Board Policy FLDB (Local), Course
Grade Complaints, outlines the timeline for the appeal and the four steps in the appeal. This policy is located in
the Blinn College Student Handbook.
Electronic Devices (skip this section; does not apply to online courses)
All the functions of all personal electronic devices designed for communication and/or entertainment (cell
phones, pagers, beepers, iPods, and similar devices) must be turned off and kept out of sight in all College
District classrooms and associated laboratories. Any noncompliance with this policy shall be addressed in
accordance with the College District Civility Policy (Administrative Policy). This information is contained in
Blinn College Board Policy FLB (Local).
Week of:
Jan. 14-20
Jan. 21-27
Jan. 28-Feb. 3
Feb. 4-10
Tentative Calendar for Readings, Exams, Chapter Quizzes, and Discussions
Topic
Readings, Discussions, & Essays
Course & eCampus Introduction Ch. 1-4 (text); Sec. 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-10, 2-11 (docs)
Europeans & American Society Discussion: Genocide?
British Americans
Critique: American Histories
Becoming “American”
EXAM I (available Mon.-Sun., Feb. 4-10)
Feb. 11-17
Feb. 18-24
Feb. 25-Mar. 3
Mar. 4-10
Rebellion
Ch. 5-8 (text); Sec. 3-4, 3-7, 5-12, 6-3 (docs)
Revolution & Republican Politics Discussion: Founders’ Hypocrisy?
National Growing Pains
Critique: Original Intent?
Republican Culture
EXAM II (available Mon.-Sun., Mar. 4-10)
Mar. 11-17
Spring Break
Mar. 18-24
Mar. 25-31
Apr. 1-7
Apr. 8-14
A National Economy
Ch. 9-12 (text); Sec. 9-5, 9-8, 9-9, 9-11 (docs)
A More Democratic Republic
Discussion: Pursuit of “Happiness”?
Reform Movements
Critique: Mexico’s Illegal American Problem
Planters, Slaves, & Free Blacks
EXAM III (available Mon.-Sun., Apr. 8-14)
Week of:
Apr. 15-21
Apr. 22-28
Apr. 29-May1
Topic
Readings, Discussions, & Essays
Impending Crisis
Ch. 13-15 (text); Sec. 14-2, 14-5, 14-9, 14-14 (docs)
Civil War
Critique: The Second American Revolution?
Reconstruction
FINAL EXAM (available Thurs.-Tues., May 2-7)