Central Texas College
CLASS SYLLABUS TERM 2 FALL 2 2014
6002 Colorado Ave., Bldg 733E
Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473 ● (573) 329-5550
www.ctcd.edu
Course Number:
Day/Time:
HIST 1301
Monday/ 5:00-10:40
Course Title: U.S. History I
20 OCT – 08 DEC 2014
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor: Dr. John Jacobsen
(E-mail):
Contact: (C) (573) 596-2657
(O)573-329-5550(CTC) (Fax)573-329-6174
Prerequisites:
Location: BLDG 561
None
john.jacobsen@ctcd.edu
Textbook(s The American Nation: A History of the United States. Vol. 1 (&2 – combined edition),
Central Texas College Custom Edition.
14th Edition
ISBN: 9781256096122
Materials List: www.ctcd.edu/im/im_main.asp
Publisher: Longman/Pearson
Author(s) Carnes, Mark C., John A. Garraty.
Course Description:
1. A study of Colonial America, the American Revolution, the Early National Experience, and the
Civil War. Analysis will include the colonial relationship with the Indian nations, African
Americans and development of the institution of slavery, and development and interpretation of
the United States Constitution. Course objectives include a basic geographical understanding of
the period and introductory development of historiographical and exam-writing skills.
2. History 1301 is a part of the core curriculum at Central Texas College. This course is a
requirement for all degrees at publicly supported institutions of higher learning in the state of
Texas.
3. This is an academic course and a degree requirement. In addition, it is intended to help students
gain an understanding of the nation’s past.
4. Prerequisite: None.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Identify and describe the significance of major events in American history from
colonization through reconstruction after the Civil War. (C5, C6, C7, F1, F2)
2. Explain the effect certain historical events have had on subsequent events, to include
possible changes as a result of key decisions. (C5, C6, C7, F1, F2)
3. Discuss economic, political, military, diplomatic, and individual contributions to the
development of the nation. (C5, C6, C7, C9, F1, F2)
4. Explain thoughts and ideas in writing. (F1, F2)
Exams and Quizzes:
Your grade will be determined by your performance on three examinations and three map
quizzes.
1. Each exam will consist of 50 multiple choice questions and one optional essay question. A list
of four or five essay questions, one of which will be used on the exam, will be provided to you
one week prior to the test. Specific instructions will be included with the list. In preparation, you
may write anything you wish on the paper containing the questions (but only this sheet) and use it
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during the essay portion of the test to help you construct your essay. These notes, however, may
not be used during the objective portion of the exam, which is taken first. The optional essay must
be of exceptional quality. If you choose to answer the essay question, it will count a maximum of
50 points and the 50 multiple choice questions will count one point each for a total of 100 points.
If you choose not to write the essay, each of the 50 multiple choice questions will count two
points for a total of 100 points. The optional essay portion of the exam does not constitute extra
credit.
2. Each map quiz will consist of twenty items for a total of 20 points. A Handout of potential
places, regions, and geographical features will be dispersed one week prior to each quiz. The
quizzes will be taken during the first fifteen (15) minutes of class on scheduled quiz days.
Grading:
Weight of Exams:
Exam 1: 100 points
Exam II: 100 points
Exam III: 100 points
Map quiz I: 20 points
Map quiz II: 20 points
Map quiz III: 20 points
Total: 360 points
Grading Rationale:
A = 90%-100% (324-)
B = 80%-89% (288-)
C = 70%-79% (252-)
D = 60%-69% (216-)
F = -59% (-215)
Attendance and additional Points:
1. School policy allows the student no more than four absences per class per semester.
Attendance by the student in this class, with the exception of exam and quiz days, is not formally
required by the instructor and will not in and of itself result in any direct loss of points.
Attendance will, however, be taken. More importantly, it should be noted that all test questions
will address subjects discussed in class, and any lecture material missed by the student will not be
available from the instructor.
2. Students will be awarded two extra credit points per evening of attendance for a maximum
of sixteen (16) points. This includes all regular class and exam days attended. Should class be
canceled due to weather or other emergencies, all students will receive one attendance point. In
order to receive points, unexcused student absences will require written medical or other
documentation, which must be verified.
Course Outline:
Block one:
Introduction
Background to Colonization
Read ch. 1
English Colonies
Read chs. 1-2
American Independence
Read chs. 3-4
-Map Quiz I
-Exam I
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Block two:
Establishing the Constitution
Read ch. 5
The 1790s and the First Party System
Read ch. 5
The Age of Jefferson
Read ch. 6
The War of 1812
Nationalism & The Market Revolution
Read chs. 7-8
-Map Quiz I
-Exam II
Block three:
Age of Jackson
Read chs 7-9
Anti-slavery & Sectional Division
Read ch. 12
Civil War
Read chs. 11, 13-14
-Map Quiz I
-Final Exam
Important College Policies:
Students should consult the current college catalog for information related to the
following policies:
Excessive absences
Withdrawal from class
Instructor initiated withdrawals
Administrative initiated withdrawals
Third attempt to enroll in a course
TEC 51.907 course withdrawal limit policy
Refunds of tuition and fees
Incomplete grades
Cellular Phones and other electronic devices:
Cellular phones and beepers will be silenced or turned off and kept out of sight while
students are in the classroom.
America’s With Disabilities Act (ADA):
Students requiring accommodations for
disabilities are responsible for notifying the instructor and the Disability Support
Services Program Office. Reasonable accommodations will be granted in full
compliance with federal and state law and Central Texas College policy.
Complete information on Disability Support Services can be found in the college
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catalog.
Instructor Discretion:
The instructor reserves the right of final decisions in course requirements.
Civility:
Individuals are expected to be aware of what a constructive educational
experience is and respectful of those participating in a learning environment.
Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
Students should refrain from: talking in a disruptive manner, sleeping, doing
homework for another course, reading material other than that which pertains to
this course, leaving class early, and using socially unacceptable language.
Cheating:
Cheating in any form is dishonest and will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating will
automatically receive a failing grade for the course.
Nature of this course and expectations:
1. While this syllabus is detailed, the nature of the course is not. This is a survey course;
therefore, we will not be going into deep analysis of any one area or period. Rather we will
address standard topics in general chronological fashion. Since the purpose of this course is to
study Colonial America, the American Revolution, the early national experience, and the Civil
War, each student will be expected to learn and understand the general chronological flow of this
history and to gain a basic knowledge of the major events, key figures, and dates relevant to that
history. Good lecture notes are essential to student success in this class, since lecture material
indicates what may be addressed on the exam. Only subjects covered in lecture will be eligible
exam material.
Nevertheless, the textbook provides a crucial resource and should be read carefully since nearly
all exam information may be found within its covers. Reading the textbook will significantly
enhance your understanding of lecture material.
Please note: In college, the burden of responsibility falls on the student. It is, therefore, the
student’s responsibility to read the textbook, attend lecture, take adequate notes, and study for the
exams and quizzes. This is a straight-forward, standard lecture course. The keys to success, as the
nature of the course, are simple and straight-forward.
Exam preparation requires regular, disciplined review. Should a student need advice in notetaking, the instructor will be glad to help, but it is the student’s responsibility to ask for
assistance. Do not take an exam and afterwards complain that you did not know how to take notes
or study.
2. Remembering that the chief purpose of a course such as this is to learn the material, the
student’s grade is based entirely on exams and quizzes. Although this simplifies the course for
students, it increases the pressure to perform on the exams. The optional essay exam question and
attendance extra-point policies are designed to relieve that pressure, while encouraging class
attendance, which itself is crucial to exam success.
There are no extra-credit points allowed beyond the attendance points. Since 16 points
represents slightly less than one half-letter grade (beginning from 16 points below a “D,” or from
200 total points and up), the significance of 16 potential points is obvious. The responsibility for
attendance, however, and therefore the additional points, is the student’s alone.
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