Germanna Community College
Course Outline Spring Semester 2015
United States History I (HIS 121)
Instructor: Beverly S. Ellis
Office Hours: Monday 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Office Location: FAC-1, 320
E-mail: bellis@germanna.edu
Telephone: 540-423-9852
Section Number: 121-F02 (11155)
Meeting Day: Monday/Wednesday
Meeting Times: 12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
Meeting Location: FAC 1-301
Course Description:
This course is a sixteen-week survey course designed as an introduction to the history of the
United States from pre-colonial civilization to the American Civil War. The course examines political,
economic, social, religious, cultural, and intellectual developments.
Readings:
Required Texts:
Tindall, George Brown AND David Emory Shi, America—A Narrative History,
Volume 1: New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2012.
ISBN 978-0-393-93405-2
Other Readings as assigned
General Education Goals:
A student in this course and other courses will be able to gain or refine his or her skills relating to the
following general education goals, (excerpted from the college catalog):
Communication: read, write, speak, listen, and seek needed information effectively.
Learning Skills and Critical Thinking: address a variety of problems, selector create solutions to
problems, and implement solutions.
Understanding Culture and Society: identify those activities and institutions which constitute the
social aspect of cultures, understand the impact that social institutions have on individuals and
cultures, and appreciate one’s own as well as others’ personal functioning within social
institutions.
General Objectives for the History Discipline
1. Identify, describe and interpret the importance of social, cultural, intellectual and technological
developments in American, Western, and other world civilizations.
2. Understand and analyze the political, economic, and diplomatic occurrences in American,
Western, and other world civilizations.
3. Appreciate the uniqueness of various world cultures and the interaction of these cultures over
time.
4. Recognize, evaluate, and accept different historical interpretations through an understanding of
the nature of historical study.
5. Relate past experiences of the various human societies with contemporary attitudes and thought
processes.
6. Reinforce three general education goals of the college: “communication”, “learning skills and
critical thinking”, and “understanding culture and society” (as described in the college catalog
and handbook.
Learning Outcomes:
Through the use of texts, lectures, class discussions, examinations, and audio-visual materials, a student
who receives a passing grade of “C” or better in this course will be prepared to:
1. Identify, describe, and interpret the importance of social, cultural, intellectual, and technological
developments in this period of United States history.
2. Understand and analyze the political, economic, and diplomatic occurrences in this period of
United States history.
3. Appreciate the uniqueness of the American experience.
4. Recognize the contributions of a diversity of cultures to the American way of life.
5. Observe and interpret the changing role of the United States in its relationships with the rest of
the world.
6. Recognize, evaluate, and accept different historical interpretations through an understanding of
the nature of historical study.
7. Relate past experiences of the United States with contemporary attitudes and thoughts processes.
Content Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will understand many historical concepts, including the
following:
1. The human migration to North America
2. The emergence , development, and demise of sedentary communities
3. The forces that drove Europeans to exploration
4. The impact of disease on Native American populations
5. The similarities and differences among the Chesapeake, Middle, and Southern colonies
6. The factors that led to the adoption of slavery in the colonies
7. The theory of mercantilism and its application to Britain’s colonies in North America
8. The causes and consequences of the Great Awakening
9. The intellectual impact of the Enlightenment in America
10. The events that led to the break with England
11. The ways in which the Dec. of Independence justified America’s independence from England
12. The advantages the colonies had and the advantages the British had at the beginning of the war
for independence
13. The results of the War for Independence
14. The basic structure of government under the Articles of Confederation
15. The major compromises that shaped the U.S. Constitution
16. The major events of the presidency of George Washington, both domestic and in foreign affairs
17. The major events of the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, both domestic and in foreign affairs
18. The causes , course, and consequences of the War of 1812
19. The emergence of sectionalism
20. The factors leading to industrialization
21. The significance of the Marshall court
22. The major events of the presidency of Andrew Jackson, both domestic and in foreign affairs.
23. The origins of the women’s movement
24. Events leading to the Mexican-American War
25. The concept of popular sovereignty
26. The factors that lead to the expansion of slavery
27. The political impact of the events in the 1850’s which lead to the Civil War
28. Events leading to southern secession
29. The material advantages of the North at the beginning of the war and the advantages enjoyed by
the South
30. The causes, course, and consequences of the Civil War
31. The factors leading to the Emancipation Proclamation
Instructional Procedures and Assignments:
The student is responsible for all assigned readings. In addition, to the readings on the course
schedule, supplemental readings will be assigned from time to time. Instructional procedures to be used
could include: lectures, videos, class discussions, debates, student presentations, cooperative learning
strategies, writing assignments, quizzes, and tests. The class will be primarily a lecture and class
discussion format. Reading and writing will be assigned both for in class and outside of class completion.
Reading will consist of both secondary and primary sources. Students must do the reading consistently
and are encouraged to bring questions about the assigned readings to each class session. Assignments are
due when assigned, unless special arrangements are made in advance. Assignments will be collected at
the beginning of the class period when they are due. If assignments are not turned in at that time, they
will be considered late. Daily assignments will be accepted late for a lower grade. Papers and group
presentations will NOT be accepted late. I do not accept email papers. It is very important that students
read and read carefully. There will occasionally be unannounced reading quizzes, which will be counted
as part of your classwork/homework grade. These quizzes will be short (perhaps 10 questions) objective
questions or writing prompts. At the end of the semester I will drop the lowest of these quiz grades and
average the remaining scores into your classwork/homework grade.
Attendance:
Class attendance is an integral part of a sound academic program for most classes at Germanna.
However, alternate teaching techniques, which may not require class attendance, may also be a part of a
sound academic program. Germanna students are expected to be present and on time at all regularly
scheduled classes and laboratory meetings. When a faculty member determines that a student has not met
the class attendance requirements in the course outline, which will usually conform to the statement at the
end of this Standard, the faculty member may submit a Drop/Add Form, showing the last date of
attendance by the student, to the Admissions and Records Office. A grade of “W” will be recorded for all
withdrawals, whether initiated by the student or by the faculty member through the published “Last Day
to Withdraw Without Academic Penalty.” Students withdrawn after the withdrawal deadline will receive
a grade of “F” except under mitigating circumstances, which must be documented by the student and
approved by the Dean of Instruction.
If class meeting times
during the week are:
1
2
3
4
Absences
permitted are:
2
4
6
8
GCC Email Policy:
Germanna has an email policy in effect for all college email communications in compliance with
the Virginia community college policy. This includes online course related emails and is to ensure
confidentiality and security.
All official email communication will be distributed to myGCC email accounts only. All students,
faculty and staff of Germanna will use their official myGCC email account when conducting college
business.
Email is an official method for communication within the Virginia community college system.
Faculty and staff are responsible for reading and responding to email in a timely fashion. Students are
responsible for the consequences of not reading, in a timely fashion, college-related communication
sent to the official myGCC Student email account.
Faculty members may require email for course content delivery, class discussion, and instructor
conferencing and may specify course-related email policies in their syllabi.
A complete copy of this and other college policies concerning email can be found online under the
Catalog and Student Handbook, which is under the Student tab of the Germanna website.
Evaluation:
Tests:
Test 1—10%
Test 2—10%
Final Exam—20%
Short Papers—20%
Classwork/Homework—10%
Class Group Presentation—20%
Class Participation and attendance—10%
Grading Scale:
A—90-100
B—80-89
C—70-79
D—60-69
F—59 and below
Academic Honesty:
The faculty of Germanna Community College recognizes that academic honesty is an integral
factor in developing and sharing knowledge. We support the concept of academic honesty, practice
academic honesty in our classes, and require academic honesty from our students. GCC students are
expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the completion and presentation of all academic
assignments and examinations. Any student found guilty of cheating,
plagiarism, or other dishonorable acts in academic work is subject to College disciplinary action.
Academic dishonesty is cheating and stealing. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
 Intentionally using material verbatim from a source without giving credit.
 Rewriting material from a source without giving credit.
 Using information from an Internet source without giving credit.
 Submitting the work of another person as your own work.
 Using/copying another student’s computer disk.,
 Copying from another person’s paper/test/homework.
 Allowing someone else to copy/use your work (paper, homework, quiz, test).
 Violating Germanna Computer Ethics Guidelines in the pursuit of academic studies.
When a student has been found to have been academically dishonest, college penalties are outlined in the
Catalog and Student Handbook, which is under the Student tab on the Germanna website. Generally
these include: on the first offense of academic dishonesty, the appropriate Dean of Instruction will be
notified, who will take determined action. The second offense could result in suspension from the
affected class or the college. The third offense will result in dismissal from Germanna Community
College. Please make yourself aware of the consequences of academic dishonesty.
Emergency Policies:
Emergency procedures are posted in individual classrooms. Students must familiarize
themselves with the procedures to be followed, and the escape routes to be followed when necessary.
Faculty will go through the classroom emergency procedures during the first class meeting and students
are to record these procedures in their class notes. Faculty who choose to do so may provide written
instructions within the first two class meetings.
Student Resources:
Students have a number of College resources available to assist them in achieving the learning in
a particular course or program. Students are encouraged to utilize the services of the Academic
Computing Center (e.g., computers to produce papers, essays). Tutoring Centers provide free assistance
as staffing provides in many disciplines, including online tutoring through Smart Thinking which is
available 24-7. Testing Centers provide services to students in online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses as
faculty and course requirements find necessary. Libraries at the Locust Grove and Fredericksburg Area
Campuses, as well as the Daniel Technology Center provide print and media resources to encourage
student learning. Interlibrary loan services are also available at all sites, including the Stafford Center and
others course locations. Students are encouraged to visit each of these facilities to learn more about the
services that are available. If additional information is needed, students should visit Counseling or the
Dean’s office for assistance. There are also many resources outlined on the Germanna website under
Student Resources.
Students with Disabilities:
Germanna Community College is committed to the full and total inclusion of all individuals and
is dedicated to the principal of empowerment. To this end, all policies and procedures must ensure that
no person will be denied full and equal access to activities, employment, and opportunities and benefits. If
you have any questions, please contact a Special Needs Counselor at FAC at 540-891-3019 or LGC at
540-423-9140.
Miscellaneous:
A positive classroom environment is essential. Students will be expected to treat all persons in
the classroom with respect. Disruptive behavior (talking while others are talking, arriving late, ringing
cell phones, leaving early, etc.) will result in a lowered class participation grade. Texting, playing games
on cell phones or computers are expressly forbidden during class time. I reserve the right to look at
anyone’s computer at any time during class. If a student is found to be abusing the opportunity to use
your computer for note taking, that student will be prohibited from bringing a laptop to class. I am giving
you my full attention and I expect the same from you.
Important Dates to Remember:
Classes begin:
Last day to add a class:
MLK Day (College closed)
Last day to drop with refund:
College Learning Day(No Classes):
January 12, 2015
January 17, 2015
January 19, 2015
January 29, 2015
Student Success Day
Spring Break:
February 10, 2015
March 11, 2015
March 16-22, 2015
Withdrawal date with no Academic
Penalty
Last day of class:
March 23, 2015
May 6, 2015
Final Examinations
May 7-13, 2015
Withdrawal from a course without academic penalty may be made within the first 60% of the
course. The student will receive a grade of “W” for withdrawal. After that time, the student will receive
a grade of “F”. Exceptions to this policy may be considered under mitigating circumstances which must
be documented and submitted to the appropriate Dean of Instruction for review and consideration. The
last day to withdraw from full semester courses without academic penalty is March 23, 2015.
Tentative Course Schedule
(Note: The reading assignments will be discussed on the date they are listed.)
Date
Topic/Assignment
Monday
1/12
(Week 1)
Introduction; Discuss syllabus;
Assignment sheet and dates
Wednesday
1/14
(Week 1)
Native Americans; The Collision
of Cultures; Europe in the Americas
Text: Chapter 1
Monday
1/19
(Week 2)
Martin Luther King Birthday Holiday
No Class
Wednesday
1/21
(Week 2)
Britain and Its Colonies
Text: Chapter 2
Monday
1/26
(Week 3)
Colonial Ways of Life
Text: Chapter 3, pp. 106-127
English Background and the Southern Colonies
Wednesday
1//28
(Week 3)
Colonial Ways of Life
Test: Chapter 3, pp. 127-155
New England Colonies, Middle Colonies,
Enlightenment, and the Great Awakening
Monday
2/2
(Week 4)
The Imperial Perspective
Text: Chapter 4, pp. 158-178
English Administration of the Colonies and
Colonial Wars
Wednesday
2/4
(Week 4)
The Imperial Perspective
Group 1 Presentation
Text: Chapter 4, pp. 179-194
Regulating the Colonies and Independence
Monday
2/9
(Week 5)
The American Revolution
Chapter 4 and Chapter 5, pp. 194-225
Declaration of Independence, battles, etc. of the
American Revolution, and the Treaty of Paris
Wednesday
2/11
(Week 5)
Both Sides Regroup, War in the South, Treaty of Paris,
and Emergence of American Culture
Chapter 5, pp. 225-251
Monday
2/16
(Week 6)
Shaping a Federal Union
Text: Chapter 6
Review for Test 1—Chapters 1-5
Wednesday
2/18
(Week 6)
Test I—Chapters 1-5
Monday
2/23
(Week 7)
The Federalist Era
Text: Chapter 7
Wednesday
2/25
(Week 7)
The Early Republic
Text: Chapter 8
Monday
3/2
(Week 8)
The Dynamics of Growth
Group 2 Presentation of Chapter 9
Text: Chapter 9, pp. 369-395
Wednesday
3/4
(Week 8)
The Dynamics of Growth
Text: Chapter 9, pp. 395-409
First Short Paper Due
Monday
3/9
(Week 9)
Nationalism and Sectionalism
Group 3 Presentation on Chapter 10
Text: Chapter 10
Review for Test 2
Wednesday
3/11
(Week 9)
Test 2
Chapters 6-10
Monday
3/16
(Week 10)
Spring Break—No Class
Wednesday
3/18
(Week 10)
Spring Break—No class
Monday
3/23
(Week 11)
The Jacksonian Impulse
Text: Chapter 11, pp. 440-459
Wednesday
3/25
(Week 11)
The Jacksonian Impulse
Text: Chapter 11, pp. 459-477
Monday
3/30
(Week 12)
The Old South
Text: Chapter 12
Wednesday
4/1
(Week 12)
Religion, Romanticism and Reform
Text: Chapter 13
Monday
4/6
(Week 13)
An Empire in the West
Group 4 Presentation on Chapter 14
Text: pp. 526-548
Wednesday
4/8
(Week 13)
An Empire in the West
Text: Chapter 14, pp. 548-561
Monday
4/13
(Week 14)
The Gathering Storm
Text: Chapter 15, pp. 600-628
Wednesday
4/15
(Week 14)
The Gathering Storm
Text: Chapter 15, pp. 628-647
Second Short Paper Due
Monday
4/20
(Week 15)
The War of the Union
Text: Chapter 16, pp. 648-671
Wednesday
4/22
(Week 15)
The War of the Union
Text: Chapter 16, pp. 672-701
Monday
4/27
(Week 16)
Tentative—Chapter 17*
Wednesday
4/29
(Week 16)
Tentative—Chapter 17*
Monday
5/4
(Week 17)
Open class for finishing any work necessary
Wednesday
5/6
(Week 17)
Review for Final Exam
Wednesday
5/13
Final Exam
1-3:30 p.m.
*We will complete Chapter 17 if time permits. If we miss any classes due to weather, etc., I will adjust
the schedule to compensate. I will let you know a little later in the semester.