American History I
AMH 2010 - Spring 2013
University of South Florida
Sarasota-Manatee
Instructor: Dawn M. Dyer, Ph.D.
Email: dawndyer@mail.usf.edu
Class Meetings: 9:00am-10:50am on 01/07/2013, 02/25/2013, 03/25/2012 &
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04/29/2013
Class Location: TBA
College: Arts and Letters
Credit Hours: 3
Office Hours: M 11:00am-12:00pm and by appointment
Office Location: C264
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND SUPPLIES
Roark, James L., Michael P. Johnson, et. al. The American Promise: A History of the
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United States Volume I: To 1877. Fifth Edition. New York: Bedford/St.
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Martin's, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-312-66313-1. Johnson, Michael P. Reading the American Past: Selected Historical Documents
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Volume I: To 1877. Fifth Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2012.
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ISBN: 978-0-312-56413-1
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Thinking historically by asking how and why as well as who, what, where and when, this
course explores the history of the social, political, intellectual and economic
developments from the pre-contact period of Native American life to Reconstruction. In
addition to providing a basic exposure to the factual narrative and chronological topics,
this course will trace themes, emphasizing the ways in which they are interconnected.
Themes include a discussion of American diversity, economic trends, the impact of
demography, gender structure, environmental issues, the social contours affecting the
everyday life of ordinary Americans, the role of religion and the place of the United
States in an every increasingly global arena. The dynamics of continuity and change
will be studied as students explore the rich political and cultural heritage of the United
States. By understanding the great transformations and trajectories of American history,
this course will illuminate how history profoundly affects the world we live in today and
how we employ our living past to make decisions for tomorrow.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Although history involves learning dates and facts, the study of history is much more
than simply rote memorization. History is a dynamic, essential and ever-changing
discipline that constantly seeks new evidence, periodically re-evaluates commonly-held
assumptions, revises interpretations when needed, analyzes historical trends, and
investigates the processes of change and continuity. It seeks to explore how the past
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has shaped the present by synthesizing information into overarching historical themes;
it is not simply what happened in the past, but it is also how people conceptualize what
happened in the past. Students will learn to think critically for themselves about the
relationship between the past and the present. Integrated into the chronologically
ordered whole picture of the history of religion in America will therefore be analysis of
historical evidence and primary sources such as statistics, diaries, literary narratives,
maps, and pictorial evidence. Students will explore various points of view, discuss
different historical frameworks, evaluate historical interpretations and learn to recognize
the difference between opinion and evidence. This course will foster skills such as
critical thinking, comparative analysis, inductive and deductive reasoning, perspicacious
writing and effective oral communication.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate knowledge of the history of human civilizations, societies and cultures,
and an awareness of the human experience and its applicability to the contemporary
world through study of political, social, cultural, environmental, and intellectual issues in
pre-modern and modern eras.
2. Demonstrate the ability to situate primary historical records in their proper contexts
and use these sources to construct historical arguments.
COURSE GOALS!
1. To become critical readers and historically-minded scholars
2. To discern key themes and patterns in American history
3. To analyze and synthesize a wide variety of primary and secondary sources
4. To develop listening, good note-taking, study and analytical skills
5. To promote critical thinking about issues of race, gender, age, ethnicity, and class in
American society
6. To craft a clear thesis statement, use research skills, interpret facts, construct a wellorganized and insightful paper and properly cite sources
7. To master a broad body of historical knowledge and develop a continuing interest in
studying the past
COURSE FORMAT
This course merges the face-to-face interactions of a traditional course with the
flexibility of an online course. It will feature 80% in an online format and 20% in a
classroom environment. This course is not self-paced; there are fixed deadlines
and attendance at four on-campus meetings is mandatory. Students are required
to meet on January 7, 2013, February 25, 2013, March 25, 2013, and April 29, 2013
from 9:00am until 10:50am. This course demands that students have good time
management skills and be highly disciplined, organized, and motivated. Most of our
conversations will take place via email so please feel free to email me. Please include
“AMH 2010” in the subject line of all email you send to your instructor. Students are
required to check Blackboard and their email daily.
You are required to save copies of all work you send to your instructor via e-mail. If your
instructor does not receive your work, you must have a copy of the e-mail with the
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attached file, indicating the date sent, to prove that you submitted the assignment on
time. It is your responsibility to maintain copies of your sent e-mails and all work
submitted, as there is no way to guarantee that any e-mail message will be delivered.
GRADING POLICY
There will be two in-class exams and an in-class final exam. There will also be a formal
research paper and five assignments due throughout the semester.
Assignments are due by 9:00am on the date noted on the course syllabus. Five
points will be deducted for each calendar day that the assignment or research
paper is late. Computer failure or limited access to a computer are not legitimate
excuses for late assignments. It is therefore imperative that students plan ahead.
All assignments must include the following information: student’s name, course name,
date, word count, and honor code statement. All assignments must include the
following statement indicating that you abided by USFSM Honor Code: “I have neither
given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment.” An easy way to check the
number of words in an essay in Microsoft Word is to click “Tools” and then “Word
Count.” You will find that there are approximately 275-300 words per page if that page
is double-spaced, with a 12-point font and standard Microsoft Word margins of 1.25
inches.
EVALUATION
First Exam - 50 points
Second Exam - 50 points
Final Exam - 100 points
Assignments - 100 points
Research Paper - 100 points
GRADING SYSTEM
Total Points
Earned
Letter Grade
Quality Points
Numeric
Scale
390-400
A+
4.0
98-100
374-389
A
4.0
94-97
358-373
A-
3.67
90-93
350-357
B+
3.33
88-89
334-349
B
3.0
84-87
318-333
B-
2.67
80-83
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Total Points
Earned
Letter Grade
Quality Points
Numeric
Scale
310-317
C+
2.33
78-79
294-309
C
2.00
74-77
278-293
C-
1.67
70-73
270-277
D+
1.33
68-69
254-269
D
1.00
64-67
0-253
F
0
Less than 64
RESEARCH PAPER
Research papers will be based upon a selection from the supplemental textbook,
Reading The American Past: Selected Historical Documents. Each student will read
one chapter based upon his/her last name. For example, if your last name begins with
A, you will read chapter 1. The reading assignments will fall as follows: Chapter 1 A-B,
Chapter 2 C-D, Chapter 3 E-F, Chapter 4 G-H, Chapter 5 I-J, Chapter 6 K-L, Chapter 7
M-N, Chapter 8 O-P, Chapter 9 Q-R, Chapter 10 S, Chapter 11 T, Chapter 12 U,
Chapter 13 V, Chapter 14 W, Chapter 15 X, Chapter 16 Y and Chapter 17 Z. The
student will then form an interpretative thesis that addresses at least one of the primary
sources within his/her chapter. The student is required to examine at least one primary
document from the chapter assigned, but he/she is not limited to studying only one
document.
The paper should not simply be an encyclopedic recitation of information, but it should
provide a sophisticated analysis and yield a perspicacious interpretation. Research
papers will require students to investigate issues, apply facts, synthesize various
strands of evidence, and demonstrate perceptive insight. Students must employ good
verbal facility to offer a convincing argument and achieve an impressive level of
elucidation, coherence, and critical thought.
The research paper will be a 1200-word double-spaced, typewritten with 10 or 12 point
font original paper on a clear and manageable topic that calls for interpretation beyond
mere description. The paper must be supported by least one primary source and three
secondary sources. The primary evidence for this paper will come from Reading The
American Past. Secondary sources, which are interpretations of the past written by
historians, include dictionaries, journal articles, book reviews scholarly monographs and
biographies. Do not rely entirely on textbook, general or Internet sources because part
of your grade will be based on the quality of your scholarly sources. The research
paper must contain footnotes or endnotes and a selected bibliography (one that
includes only those sources cited in the paper). The paper must follow The Chicago
Manual of Style (http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html) or the condensed
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version form as outlined in Kate L. Turabian’s A Manual for Writers of Term Paper,
Theses, and Dissertations. Do not use the MLA format in your papers. The instructor
will provide additional information on the specific requirements for the research
paper.
The final paper in hard copy format is due on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 9:00am
sharp. The instructor will not accept research papers that have been submitted
electronically; emailed research papers will not be accepted. Five points will be
deducted for each calendar day that the paper is late. Students are responsible for
keeping copies of all work submitted.
Plagiarism is the act of employing someone’s else’s work without attribution; it is from
the Latin infinitive plagiare that means to steal. Intentional and unintentional plagiarism
of any kind will not be tolerated. Any work that is plagiarized will receive at least a “0,”
and the instructor reserves the right to pursue official disciplinary action up to and
including suspension or expulsion.
ONLINE ASSIGNMENTS
In addition to the exams and research paper, students will be required to complete five
additional assignments. Each of these assignments is worth 20 points. These
assignments will be posted on Blackboard under the heading “Assignments.” These
assignments may be based on videos, documentaries, secondary sources and primary
documents.
These assignments must be submitted by 9:00am on the day they are due. Five
points will be deducted for each calendar day that an assignment is late. All
assignments must include the following information: student’s name, date, course, word
count and the honor code statement Students must keep copies of all work submitted.
COURTESY POLICY
Cell phones are not to be visible during exams. As a community of scholars who are
dedicated to academic excellence, this class is a learning environment in which respect
is imperative.
MAKE-UP POLICY
Make-up exams will be given only to students who have legitimate excuses, can
produce a written explanation from an authoritative third party such as a doctor or court
clerk and receive permission from the instructor. To be allowed to make-up an exam, a
student must present the validated excuse to the instructor within two weeks of the
missed exam and this excuse must be acceptable to the instructor. Because make-up
exams will be more challenging than the exams taken by the class as a whole, It
is therefore in your best interest to take all exams as scheduled.
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COURSE MECHANICS
All e-mail messages must include the course name, AMH 2010, in the subject line.
If you do not receive a response acknowledging that your instructor has received your
assignment within 48 hours of submitting it, you must resend it and state that this is your
second attempt.
As much as technology serves us, it also inevitably fails us. Do not procrastinate and
be sure to back up all your work. It is unacceptable to use the lack of a computer or
computer failure as an excuse for late work.
The last day to drop or withdraw from courses without academic penalty is March 23,
2013 at 5:00pm.
BLACKBOARD USE
Blackboard is a web-based program that will be used for communication, to view course
materials, to post announcement, to view this syllabus, to submit assignments and to
check grades. A helpful tutorial has been posted at
http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/Academics/DE/current_students.php. For technical
assistance, you may contact call the toll-free helpline at 866-974-1222 or consult live
online help at http://usfsupport.custhelp.com/app/chat/chat_launch
SAFEASSIGN
SafeAssignment is part of the MyDropboxSuite of Blackboard add-on tools. This
service is used to check assignments for plagiarism by scanning both the internet as
well as existing documents. SafeAssign provides the instructor with a value indicating
the percentage that the assignment matched existing work. For more information,
please visit: http://media.c21te.usf.edu/pdf/student/bbstud_subsafeassgn.pdf The
instructor reserves the right to request students to submit submit assignments as
electronic files as well as ask students to submit their assignments to SafeAssign via
Blackboard.
ONLINE STUDY GUIDE
Self-tests, activities, flashcards, timelines, maps, and documents are available at
www.bedfordstmartins.com/roark/catalog
INCOMPLETE POLICY
An “I” grade indicates incomplete coursework and may be awarded to an undergraduate
student only when a small portion of the student’s work is incomplete and only when the
student is otherwise earning a passing grade.
NOTES AND TAPES
Class lectures and other materials such as tests are considered the intellectual property
of the instructor and may not be reproduced for anything other than personal use
without the written permission of the instructor. To ensure the open discussion of ideas,
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students may not record classroom discussion, activities and/or lectures, and notes may
not be sold.
USF SARASOTA-MANATEE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
The University recognizes the right of students and faculty to observe major religious
holidays. Students who anticipate the necessity of being absent from class for a major
religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by
the second week of classes. For specific policies, consult
http://generalcounsel.usf.edu/policies-and-procedures/pdfs/policy-10-045.pdf
DISABILITIES ACCOMMODATION
In compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act
of 1990, any student with a disability is guaranteed equal access to educational facilities
and the instruction. Students are responsible for registering with the Office of Students
with Disabilities Services (SDS) in order to receive academic accommodations.
Reasonable notice must be given to the SDS office (typically 5 working days) for
accommodations to be arranged. It is the responsibility of the student to provide each
instructor with a copy of the official Memo of Accommodation. For more information,
consult Pat Lakey (Coordinator) at 941-359-4714 or plakey@sar.usf.edu. Students may
also consult www.sarasota.usf.edu/Students/Disability
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic vigor helps promote lifelong learning and is an integral aspect of providing a
positive learning environment in an ethical manner. USF adheres to high standards of
academic integrity and maintains a strict academic honesty policy. The instructor has a
“zero tolerance” for cheating, copying, plagiarism and academic dishonest. In the event
that a student violates any provision of USF’s policy on academic integrity as spelled
out in the student handbook, the professor reserves the right to assign whatever grade
for the course the professor judges to be appropriate, including a grade of F, without
regard to the student’s accumulated points. It is the student’s responsibility to be
familiar with the policies of the university regarding academic integrity and to avoid
violating these policies.
Undergraduate: "
"
""
Graduate:
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USF Student Code of Conduct: " "
http://sarasota.usf.edu/Academics/Catalogs/
http://sarasota.usf.edu/Academics/Catalogs/
http://www.sa.usf.edu/srr/page.asp?id=88
ACADEMIC DISRUPTION
The University does not tolerate behavior that disrupts the learning process. The policy
for addressing academic disruption is included with Academic Dishonesty in the catalog;
USFSM Undergraduate Catalog or USFSM Graduate Catalog and the USF Student
Code of Conduct.
Undergraduate:"
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http://sarasotausf.edu/Academics/Catalogs
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Graduate:" "
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USF Student Code of Conduct:" "
http://sarasotausf.edu/Academics/Catalogs
http://www.sa.usf.edu/srr/page.asp?id=88
CONTINGENCY PLANS
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USFSM to suspend normal
operations. During this time, USFSM may opt to continue delivery of instruction through
methods that include but are not limited to: Black, Elluminate, Skype, and email
messaging and/or alternate schedule. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor
Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USFSM
and College websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
The USF hotline at 1 (800) 992-4231 is updated with pre-recorded information during an
emergency.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
It is strongly recommended that you become familiar with the USF Sarasota-Manatee
Emergency Action Plan on the Safety Preparedness site
http://www.sarasota.usf.edu/facilities/SafetyPreparedness.php
FIRE ALARM INSTRUCTION
At the beginning of each semester please note the emergency exit maps posted in each
classroom. These signs are marked with the primary evacuation route (red) and
secondary evacuation route (orange) in case the building needs to be evacuated.
WEB PORTAL INFORMATION
Every newly enrolled USF student receives an official USF e-mail account. Students
receive official USF correspondence and Blackboard course information via that
address.
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PROJECTED COURSE SCHEDULE
Date
Lecture & Class Discussion Topic
Required Readings
1/7
In-Class Meeting Begins at 9:00am
1/14
“Land Ho!”: The Age of Exploration
1/21
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday: No Class
1/28
Life in the Southern and Middle Colonies
Roark, chapter 3-4
and Johnson,
chapter 3-4
Online Assignment
Due
2/4
“Pilgrims’ Progress”
Roark, chapter 5-6
Johnson, chapter
5-6
2/11
You Say You Want A Revolution...
Roark, chapter 7-8
Johnson, chapter
7-8
Online Assignment
Due
2/18
We The People: Launching the New Republic
Roark, chapter 9
Johnson, chapter 9
2/25
Test I
3/4
Fanfare for the Common Man
3/11
Spring Break: No Class
Roark, chapter 1-2
Johnson, chapter
1-2
Roark, chapter
10-11
Johnson, chapter
10-11
Online Assignment
Due
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Date
Lecture & Class Discussion Topic
Required Readings
3/18
Destiny Manifested
Roark, chapter 12
Johnson, chapter 12
3/25
Test II
Research paper is
due.
4/1
Firebell in the Night
Roark, chapter 13
Johnson, chapter 13
Online Assignment
Due
4/8
Girding for Civil War
Roark, chapter 14
Johnson, chapter 14
4/15
“Die To Make Men Free”
Roark, chapter 15
Johnson, chapter 15
Online Assignment
Due
4/22
The Ordeal of Reconstruction: High Hopes and
Dreams Deferred
Roark, chapter 16
Johnson, chapter 16
4/29
Final Exam begins promptly at 9:00am
This syllabus acts as a guide to the course, not a binding contract between the student
and instructor. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus if the
need arises.
I look forward to teaching you the inspiring story of American history. It is my hope that
this course will spark your interest in history as well as encourage a continuing
fascination with America’s exciting past. Good luck!
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Please read, print, sign and bring this form to the first day of class.
Responsibilities
Effective learning occurs when there is an active partnership between professor and
students and when students engage with the material in meaningful ways. Please read
the following, initial to the left of each statement, sign, date, and submit to your
instructor.
__________ I have read this syllabus, understand its implications and will abide by it. I
understand that the course instructor has the right to make alterations to the class and
exam schedule as needed.
__________ I understand fully the attendance policy and the consequences for missing
class.
__________ I agree to abide by the standards of USF’s Academic Honesty Policy.
__________________________________"
Signature of Student"
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__________________________________
Student’s printed full name
__________________________________
Date"
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