HIST 101 1002
United States History to 1865
Fall 2015
Pre-Requisite:
There are no pre-requisites for this course*
Times
Mon. 7-9:45 Carson Campus
Instructor:
Daniel Echebarria
Contact Info:
daniel.echebarria@wnc.edu
Required Texts:
American Horizons: U.S. History in a Global Context, Volume I: To 1877 Scahller,
Schulzinger, Bezís-Selfa et al., Oxford University Press, 2012. 2nd Ed.
ISBN:978-0199389315
Reading American Horizons: Primary Sources for U.S. History in a Global Context,
Volume I: To 1877
Scahller, Schulzinger, Bezís-Selfa et al., Oxford University Press, 2012.
ISBN: 978-0199768493
I.
Course Details
Course Description: This course is a survey of the American Experience from the preColombian era to the end of the Civil War. This course will cover the social, religious,
economic and political milestones of the “Land of Americus” culminating with the rise of
the United States by 1865. Specific points in history will be discussed which directly
detail the beginnings and ascension of the United States. These include: the Atlantic
World, European colonization of the Americas, Colonial Empires and Resistance,
Independence, Nation-Building, and the Civil War.
Number of Credits: 3
Transferability of Course within Nevada: Transfers to all NSHE institutions
*Prerequisites: No course prerequisites but it is recommended that students taking this
course are eligible to enroll in English 101, are currently enrolled, or have completed
English 101.
II.
Course Objectives and Linkage to General Education Program
The purpose of this course is provide a foundation of knowledge that allows students to
further their study of American History and/or apply this knowledge to meet their
personal and professional needs. The information in the parenthesis after a course
objective refers to the specific general education (GE) learning outcome that the
objective meets. Objectives without this information are not linked to WNC’s general
education program.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated they can:
1. Exhibit factual knowledge of fundamental principles, factors for change, theories,
and generalizations from the field of American history and civilization to 1865
(GE 1).
2. Examine historical and cultural changes through the location and evaluation of
information including primary and secondary sources (GE 4).
3. Describe diverse historical and/or contemporary positions on selected democratic
values or practices (GE 5).
4. Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking through substantially error-free prose
suitable in style and content to the purpose of the document and the audience (GE
2, 9).
5. Draw a conclusion about a contemporary or enduring issue in American History
and support the conclusion with appropriate reasoning and evidence (GE 10).
Prepared by: Kim DesRoches
III.
Policies and Procedures
1. Attendance: is mandatory and will be checked every class. Full attendance for
the semester is required but we all lead busy lives and emergencies do occur. You
are allowed two absences (use them only for emergencies) before you will be
withdrawn from the class. After October 29, students who miss more than two
classes without contacting me or the school will receive an F. “No call, no shows”
do not fly in the real world nor are they acceptable in this class. Since we only
meet 14 times during the entire semester, absenteeism severely hampers your
ability to: understand lecture material, stay caught up with assignments/notes,
participate in class discussions and be prepared for unforeseen challenges of the
course.
2. Classroom conduct: This course is designed to encourage a great deal of
discussion about a variety of topics and issues including controversial themes and
adult material. It is quite possible that there will not be a consensus on these
issues; thus, we will work together to create an environment where all participants
feel free to express themselves.
Class starts at 7PM so try to be in class by at least 7:05. A fifteen minute break
will be provided around 8:15 so take care of your restroom/snack issues then or
before class. Repeated leaving and entering the classroom is a major distraction
for me and fellow classmates. Please refrain from personal conversations,
checking Facebook and Candy Crush during class time. It’s rude. Those
wrapped candy combos can wait. Please contact me via email if you are running
late or will not make it to class for an emergency. Communication is the key to
success.
3. Academic Dishonesty: This category includes: plagiarism, cheating, and /or
falsifying medical excuses for absences. This includes the use of “cut and
pasted” information from the internet without attributing a source and submitting
passages of quoted text without use of quotation marks or proper citation. Any
violation will result in a meeting with me, documentation and/or a failing grade
on the particular assessment where the infraction occurred. This may result in a
failing grade in the course at the instructor’s discretion. The determination to
assign a failing grade is subject to the College’s Appeal process. To avoid the
issue in the first place, review the following from WNC’s Academic Dishonesty
policy at http://www.wnc.edu/policymanual/3-4-5.php. DON’T PLAGIARIZE!
4. Americans with Disabilities Act: This institution and this instructor are
committed to accommodating any student who requires additional or optional
resources in order to succeed in this course. Disability support services are
available to any student requiring accommodations. You can access the Disability
Support Services office at (775) 775-445-4459 or by email at
http://www.wnc.edu/studentservices/dss/ .
5. Electronics: Use of cell phones, PDA’s, and any audio or video recording devices
is prohibited unless prior permission of instructor obtained. To comply with
WNC’s Emergency Management plan, cell phones are to be left on but set to
vibrate so emergency communications are received.
6. Instructor Communication: I will make every effort to respond to email ASAP.
Please consider getting a gmail account if you don’t already have one. Google
has simplified the email/document/everything process. It is free to do and takes 2
minutes. When you send me an email, please put HIST 101/Your subject in the
subject line.
7. Notes: Notes are your friend and besides the reading, will contribute to your
success in class. Notes will not be emailed out if you miss class so I suggest
asking a friend for theirs. I will not write everything that we discuss on the board
but that does not mean that it is not important. As time goes on, you will grow
more adept at note taking. Paying attention and discussion are the key elements
to worthwhile notes. If you need something repeated, do not be afraid to ask.
8. Turnitin: All written work is to be submitted to Turnitin.com. The class number
is 8336457 and the password is billofrights. Work not submitted by the posted
deadline to Turnitin.com will not be accepted. All submission dates are on the
syllabus.
9. Academic Help: Often students will feel overwhelmed by their workload, the
writing level required or are just confused with certain assignments. Please ask
for help if you feel that you are falling behind. I cannot help you correct the
problem if I do not know that you have one. Once again, communication is key.
The Academic Skills Center is an invaluable source for guidance and instruction.
All work is graded with correct grammar and spelling in mind so if you have
trouble in these areas, ask for assistance.
IV.
Assessments
Test and Quiz Overview: There will be a midterm and final test given in this course.
The final will focus on material covered after the midterm but written responses will
encompass information and knowledge incorporated during the entire semester. Students
will be allowed to use typed or handwritten notes for tests but no books. All exams are
scheduled and no makeup exams will be allowed except in the case of verifiable
medical emergency. Should you anticipate the need to reschedule an exam please contact
me (with sufficient time prior) to the scheduled exam date(not the night before) so that
we may discuss rescheduling. Several short quizzes will be administered (at my
discretion) during the semester. These give me an accurate account of who is coming to
class prepared.
Midterm
Final
Quizzes
Short Paper
In-class Responses
Figure of Importance P/P
Attendance and Participation
400 points
400 points
25 points/ea
200 points
75 points
400 Points
50 points midterm/end
Total:
1,650 points
Grade Scale
100-94%
93-90%
89-87%
86-83%
82-80%
79-77%
76-73%
72-70%
69-60%
59-00%
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD No plus or minus grades will be earned below 69% achievement.
F
Withdrawals are the sole responsibility of the student. The last date to withdraw from
class is October 29. Students who do not attend for the full semester and do not withdraw
will be considered dropped from the course.
V.
Written Assignments
Short Paper: You will be researching and writing a short paper (3-4 pages) based on one
of the important aspects of American history that interests you up to that point of the
class. This short paper will give you the opportunity to practice your researching
capabilities and Chicago Style formatting. All research that you use must come from
peer reviewed/academic sources. We will go over these requirements later.
Figure of Importance Paper/Presentation
This final assignment for the class is split into two sections.
1. You will write a final, 7-8 page paper on a historical figure who contributes(ed) to
American history in some way. Who this person is(was) is up to you but they
must meet certain criteria (discussed at a later date)
2. You will present your research to the class via another medium: YouTube,
Powerpoint, etc. This presentation will last 3-4 minutes. As with the short paper,
requirements will be discussed later. The presentation aspect is worth 100 points.
Have fun with this.
3. The torpedo that sinks most papers is procrastination. I will give you ample time
to research and write your papers so please do not wait until the night before to
get it done. It is easy to differentiate between those who worked and polished
their papers over time and those who drank 3 Rockstars at 11PM.
Basic Requirements of Short and Figure of Importance Papers
Abstract: Your abstract contains your research topic, guiding questions, and
conclusions. Your abstract should be a single paragraph double-spaced. Your
abstract should be between 150 and 250 words. It does not count as one of your
pages.
Cover Page: Your cover page gives your work a title and your basic
information. It does not count as one of your pages.
Chicago Style Citation: Most of you are not destined to be historians but while
you’re in this class you are expected to research, write and use your sources as an
historian would. Purdue OWL Chicago Style will show you everything you need
to properly type up a paper to make an historian drool.
Sources: Your sources must come from peer reviewed/academic sources and can
include: books, journals, or articles available through WNC Library
http://library.wnc.edu/ or other learning institution sources. NO NONACADEMIC INTERNET SOURCES ALLOWED including Wikipedia,
Encyclopedia or other .com sites found through Google type searches. Do not use
Blogs, Newspaper articles, Trade Journals, or news weeklies. Failure to use
acceptable sources will result in the rejection of the project.
Academic sources that are acceptable are online academic journals or articles
available in EBSCO, JSTOR, or other library databases (public libraries). All
projects must be submitted following Chicago style formatting for cover page,
abstract, and reference material. A grade will be based on appropriate choices of
reference material, proper use of Chicago style bibliography and proper spelling,
grammar, and punctuation of abstract and cover page in Chicago style.
Deadlines: “I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go
by.” –Douglas Adams
Deadlines are a part of life and this class is no exception. As stated, you will be
given plenty of time to submit your papers to turnitin.com. After the final bell has
sounded, late papers will not be accepted.
In-class response writings
Each week you will be responsible for reading a primary source(s) which goes deeper
into giving you a firsthand understanding of what people were going through during the
time period we will be discussing. During the beginning of class each week you will be
working with a partner on these response writings. You may fly solo as some people
work better that way. These responses will be comprised of a 1 page understanding. Do
you know why you read this? What are the important aspects to the primary source? We
will go over these in detail during class. These in-class responses give you good notes
that you can use during class discussion and on tests.
Participation
Lecture will be an important part of class however in-class discussion keeps the
momentum of the class going and helps stimulate understanding and thinking skills.
Sections of class time will be devoted to hearing what you have to say about what you
(and your partner) have read. It is also a part of your grade for midterm and the end.
Hearing me talk for 3 hours makes the class drag. Asking a question and getting silence
is embarrassing. Do your reading before class and offer your insight on the topic at hand.
You never know when I may call on you…
Schedule of Readings and Events (These may change slightly due to unforeseen
time-limitations)
AH- American Horizons
RAH- Reading American Horizons
PS – Primary Source
Week I:
August 31, 2015
Course/Instructor/Student Introductions
Lecture: “The New World:” Pre-Colombian, Native history and First
Contact”
For September 14: AH Chapter 2 & 3
RAH 2.2 “Excerpts from the Proceedings of the
English Colonie[sic] in Virginia (1612)”
RAH 3.2 “The Trappan’d Maiden (c.1600s)”
RAH 3.6 “Reasons Why We are Against the
Traffic of Men-Body (1688)”
Week II:
September 7, 2015
No Class- Have a nice holiday!
Week III:
September 14, 2015 Quiz #1 Today
For Next Week: AH Chapter 4
RAH 4.4 “Excerpts from the Trial of…(1724)”
RAH 4.5 “Petition to Samuel Shute…(1720)”
Abstract Due
Week IV:
September 21, 2015
For Next Week: AH Chapter 5
RAH 5.2 “Excerpts from Report on…(1760)”
RAH 5.5 “Diary of Hannah Heaton…(1750s)”
Week V:
September 28, 2015
For Next Week: AH Chapter 6
RAH 6.1 “Appointment of José de Gálvez…(1765)”
RAH 6.2 “Excerpts from Speeches in
Parliament…(1766)”
Week VI:
October 5, 2015 Quiz #2 Today
For Next Week: AH Chapter 7
RAH 7.3 “‘Memoirs of the Life of Boston King’
(1798)”
RAH 7.5 “Excerpts from ‘Observations on the New
Constitution…(1788)’”
Week VII:
October 12, 2015
For Next Week: Mid-Term
Short Paper Due
Week VIII:
October 19, 2015
For Next Week: AH Chapter 8
RAH 8.1 “Anonymous Letters Reporting…(1795)”
RAH 8.4 “Excerpts from Letters…(1809)”
Week IX:
November 2, 2015
For Next Week: AH Chapter 9
RAH 9.1 “Letters on the Patenting…(1793)”
RAH 9.4 “Preface to Charlotte Temple (1794)”
Abstract of Figure of Importance Due
Week X:
November 9, 2015
For Next Week: AH Chapter 10
RAH 10.2 “Excerpts from People v. Melvin…(1809)”
RAH 10.5 “Andrew Jackson, Veto of the
Bank…(1832”)
AH Chapter 11 (only these sections) -“The New
Challenge of Labor,” “Men and Women in
Antebellum America”
RAH 11.4 “Excerpts from ‘The Strike for
Wages…’(1843/44)”
RAH 11.6 “Letter to Aaron Leland Galusha (1849)”
Week XI:
November 16, 2015 Quiz #3 Today
For Next Week: AH Chapter 12 (only these sections) – “Northern
Reform,” “The First Mass Culture,” “The American Renaissance,”
“Politics as Gospel.”
RAH 12.4 “Declaration of Sentiments (1848)”
RAH 12.7 “One’s-Self I Sing (1872)”
AH Chapter 13
RAH 13.1 “Excerpt from a Letter…(1846)”
RAH 13.7 “Excerpts from a Letter…(1859)”
Week XII:
November 23, 2015
For Next Week: AH Chapter 14
RAH 14.3 “‘Reminiscences of Emancipation Day’
(1863)”
RAH 14.7 “Letter to Mayor James M. Calhoun
(1864)”
Week XIII:
November 30, 2015
For Next Week: Presentations
Week XIV:
December 7, 2015
For Next Week: Final Exam
Figure of Importance Paper Due
Week XV:
December 14, 2015
SIGN THIS PAGE, DETACH FROM THE SYLLABUS AND RETURN TO THE
INSTRUCTOR.
COURSE: HIST 101
INSTRUCTOR: Daniel Echebarria
My signature below indicates I have read and understand this syllabus and have been
given a copy of my own to keep.
I understand that the syllabus may be changed at any time.
Student Signature
Student Name (print)