EL CAMINO COMPTON CENTER
Syllabus: Fall 2008
COURSE: History 1A ONLINE- UNITED STATES HISTORY TO 1877
INSTRUCTOR: Saul Panski
SECTION NUMBER: # 9486
OFFICE PHONE: (310) 900-1600, Ext. 2560
OFFICE HOURS: M/W/Th 11:00-12:00 noon or at a time agreed upon by prior
arrangement. Office is in M-1 Modular Building near Allied Health Building.
EMAIL: spanski@elcamino.edu
INTRODUCTION:
This is a completely on-line course. While the instructor will hold an optional
Orientation Session and Review Sessions prior to the Midterm and Final Examinations,
attendance is not mandatory although highly recommended. Dates will be posted on
the Etudes course management software used by El Camino College for online courses.
STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR ONLINE COURSES:
Before the semester begins, you should read the Student Handbook for Online Courses
for Fall 2008. It can be found on the Distance Education page of the Compton Center
website (www.compton.edu) Click "Academic Programs" and then "Distance Education"
to access this document. It is also available in the Distance Education Office located in
the Vocational Technology Building on the Compton campus. (VT 226).
ETUDES COURSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM:
Course information will be available on the El Camino distance education course
management system called Etudes. You can link to this course by clicking on my name
from the Compton Center Distance Education page under "Faculty Information." For
help in logging on to Etudes go to the "Distance Education" link on the Compton Center
web page.
Log-in instructions are also included in this syllabus.
There will be regular course announcements posted on this site. Group discussions/chats
may also be initiated by the instructor to review course material. All assignments will be
made available on this site as the semester progresses, and online exams will be
administered on this site on specified dates and at specified times.
STUDENT OBLIGATION/COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUCTOR:
In taking an online course you have decided to essentially learn the material at your own
pace, in an essentially self-directed manner, guided only by exam dates and due dates for
assignments. At the same time, I want to let you know that I am always available to
answer questions that may arise during your reading of the book or viewing of the video
lessons. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. I promise to get back to you
within twenty-four hours.
I. COURSE MATERIALS:
Textbook: (Mandatory)
Alan Brinkley, The Unfinished Nation: a concise history of the American people: Vol. 1,
5th edition, ISBN 0-07-330701-7 ISBN 978-0-07-330701-5
Study Guide: (Optional)
Michael V. Namorato and Steven Palmer, Distance Learning Study Guide for the
Unfinished Nation, 1st ed., ISBN 0-07-284695-x
Video lessons: (Mandatory)
DVD set of 26 video lessons, entitled “The Unfinished Nation, Part 1: Early
Colonization to Reconstruction (to 1877)."
II. COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a chronological survey of American historical development from the first
Americans to 1877. Focus is placed on the understanding of American social,
intellectual, political, economic and diplomatic institutions. The expansion of the young
nation within the scope of war and diplomacy and the influence of culture and ethnicity
in American history will also be discussed
III.
COURSE PREREQUISITE: Recommended: Eligibility for English 1A
IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Compare and contrast the cultural traditions, values and lifestyles of Europeans and
native Americans that clashed in the early colonial period.
Assess the American colonial experience under English domination through the
political, social, economic and cultural forces that shaped its development.
Analyze the major events that gave rise to the American Revolution against English
rule.
Explain the struggle for national unity and identity within the context of cultural
diversity in the nineteenth century.
Compare and contrast the political philosophies of Alexander Hamilton, Thomas
Jefferson, and Andrew Jackson.
Differentiate and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation and the United States Constitution of 1787.
Define the basic principles of American foreign policy from 1789 through the Civil
War era.
Evaluate the evolution of liberty and authority within institutions of family, school,
workplace, and community from the colonial era through the Civil War period.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Identify and describe the impact of early nineteenth century European immigration
on American culture and society.
Analyze the forces that gave rise to sectionalism in the nineteenth century.
Define the concept of Manifest Destiny and evaluate the consequences of westward
expansion in international, national, and regional terms.
Analyze nineteenth century social reforms in American society that influenced the
nation’s democratic creed in racial, social, and gender relations.
Identify and explain the nineteenth century reform movements aimed at the
eradication of social ills in American society.
Analyze the causes, course, and outcome of the Civil War.
Compare and contrast the Presidential and Radical reconstruction plans of the postCivil War era.
Describe and assess the impact of African slavery on American economic, political
and social development.
V. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Upon completion of History 1A, students will identify and explain major social,
economic and cultural patterns in United States history prior to 1877 in a written or oral
assignment.
2. Given primary and/or secondary source(s) pertaining to a significant aspect of
economic, political, social or cultural patterns in United States history prior to 1877,
students will develop and persuasively argue an historical thesis in a written or oral
assignment that effectively uses the sources as evidence.
VI.
ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES:
Students will be expected to read the course textbook (Chapters 1-15) and view course
video lessons (1-26) via online streaming video, purchased DVDS, cable television, (if
available in your area), or at locations on the Compton campus.
Assignments (chapter and video lesson summaries) and exams will be administered and
turned in online. Review questions will be posted online before each examination and
online group discussions will also be encouraged. Exams must be taken online at the
prescribed dates and times.
You will be able to purchase the mandatory textbook at the Compton Center Bookstore or
online through the El Camino Bookstore.
You will be able to view the video lessons on campus in the Learning Center ( G-39) or
the Distance Education Laboratory (VT 226) OR you can purchase the video lessons for
delivery to your home in the form of DVDs OR you may be able to watch it through your
local cable provider.
Go to www.intelecom.org and click on “Student store” for ordering information. The cost
for a DVD package is $35.00. You will be expected to watch video lessons 1-26 as part
of the work for this course.
Learning Center fall semester hours are from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through
Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Friday, and from 8:00 am to 12 noon on Saturday. Call
(310) 900-1600, extension 2535 to make an appointment to view specific video lessons
in the Learning Center. The Distance Education Laboratory can be reached at (310) 9001600, extension 2784. The Lab hours for fall semester will be Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday from 8:00 am to 12 noon and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 8 am to 12 noon, 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm, and 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
If you live in Compton you will be able to view the lessons on Time Warner Cable,
Channel 27. Check the Student Handbook for Online Courses for broadcast times. If
you live outside of Compton, check with your local cable provider to see if it broadcasts
this program.
Students will be evaluated and assessed to demonstrate understanding of subject matter
through the following activities:
A. Chapter and video lesson written summaries requiring critical thinking skills and
knowledge of subject content.
B. Essay questions analyzing historical readings and documents
C. Multiple choice, true-false, and matching online examinations
VII. EVALUATION CRITERIA:
History 1A is a Credit/Degree applicable course and the grade is based on points earned
from the following:
Video lesson/Chapter Summaries:
40% of grade 135 points
A written summary of video lessons 1 to 26 and Chapters 1-15 of the textbook is
required. Each video lesson and chapter summary should be at least one page long,
using Times Roman 12 font, double-spaced.
Midterm exam:
30% of grade 100 points
Final Examination:
30% of grade
100 points
Summaries of Chapters 1-8 and Video lessons 1-13 may be submitted online anytime up
until the date of the midterm. Summaries of Chapters 9-15 and Video lessons 14-26 may
be submitted online anytime up until the date of the final examination.
The Midterm and Final Examinations will be timed. Students will have two and a half
hours to complete the exams online. They will focus on the key terms found in the
online course Modules accessed via Etudes and will consist of matching, true-false, and
fill in the blank questions, with optional essay questions for extra credit.
essay questions will be provided to students prior to the exam dates.
Possible
VIII. GRADING
Total possible points= 335 points
275 -335 points= A
250-274 points=B
225-249 points=C
175-224 points=D
IX. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
Any student who has a disability and has special needs is to alert me of this by the second
week of the semester so that special accommodations can be provided.
X. DISCLAIMER STATEMENT:
Students will be notified ahead of time if and when any changes are made to the course
requirements, schedule, or policies.
XI. SEMESTER SCHEDULE:
WEEKS 1-8
TO MIDTERM EXAMINATION
MODULE 1:
Chapter 1
Video lesson 1
The meeting of cultures
From Days Before Time
MODULE 2:
Chapter 2
Video lesson 2
Video lesson 3
Video lesson 4
Transplantations and Borderlands
Turbulent Virginia
Saints and Sinners
Lure of Land
MODULE 3
Chapter 3
Video lesson 5
Video lesson 6
Society and Culture in Provincial America
Coming to America
Divergent Paths
MODULE 4
Chapter 4
Video lesson 7
The Empire in Transition
Strained Relations
MODULE 5
Chapter 5
Video lesson 8
Video lesson 9
The American Revolution
Not Much of a War
A Precarious Experiment
MODULE 6
Chapter 6
Video lesson 10
Video lesson 11
The Constitution and the New Republic
Vision for a Nation
Rivals and Friends
MODULE 7
Chapter 7
Video lesson 12
The Jeffersonian Era
Best Laid Plans
MODULE 8
Chapter 8
Video lesson 13
Varieties of American Nationalism
Pressures from Within
Review for Midterm Wednesday, October 8, 2008
MIDTERM EXAMINATION: Wednesday, October 15, 2009
WEEKS 9-16 TO FINAL EXAMINATION
MODULE 9
Chapter 9
Video lesson 14
Video lesson 15
Jacksonian America
He Brought the People with Him
Legacy of an Autocratic Ruler
MODULE 10
Chapter 10
Video lesson 16
Video lesson 17
America’s Economic Revolution
Revolution of a Different Sort
Worlds Apart
MODULE 11
Chapter 11
Video lesson 18
Cotton , Slavery, and the Old South
Master and Slave
MODULE 12
Chapter 12
Video lesson 19
Antebellum Culture and Reform
Voices of Reform
MODULE 13
Chapter 13
Video lesson 20
Video lesson 21
The Impending Crisis
Manifest Destiny
Decade of Discord
MODULE 14
Chapter 14
Video lesson 22
Video lesson 23
Video lesson 24
The Civil War
House Divided
Battle Cry
Final Stages
MODULE 15
Chapter 15
Video lesson 25
Video lesson 26
Reconstruction and the New South
What Price Freedom
Tattered Remains
REVEW FOR FINAL
EXAMINATION
FINAL EXAMINATION:
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
FINAL DATE OF SESSION: Friday, December 14, 2008
ETUDES LOG-IN INSTRUCTIONS
REMEMBER: WRITE DOWN YOUR USER ID AND PASSWORD. AND STORE IT
IN A SAFE PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
WELCOME TO YOUR ONLINE ETUDES CLASS!
http://etudes-ng.fhda.edu/portal
ETUDES stands for Easy To Use Distance Education Software. Once you have officially
enrolled in an ETUDES class, please follow the steps below to log in and access your
class:
STEP 1: When you log in for the first time, you will be required to enter two
pieces of information: your User ID and your Password
(see Steps 2 and 3 below)
STEP 2: Your User ID is: your first name (underscore) last name
[all lower case]
*Some ECC student id numbers have been adjusted to
accommodate multiple persons with the same name. If step 2 does
not work please visit this site to verify your id:
https://secure.elcamino.edu/portal/logininfo/main.aspx?item=forgot
EXAMPLE: Albert Einstein is enrolled in an online ETUDES classes
and has the following
User ID: albert_einstein [all lower case]
STEP 3: Your default Password is the month and date of birth included in
your ECC record.
EXAMPLE: Albert Einstein’s birth date is March 25.
His Password is: 0325
STEP 4: Print out this page so that you can refer to these instructions when
you log in for the first time.
STEP 5: Now you are ready to login!
Starting on the first day of the semester (and after waiting 24 hours after you
registered for the class), log in to your class by going to the Etudes portal.
(http://etudes-ng.fhda.edu/portal)
REMEMBER: TO BOOKMARK THIS SITE TO ACCESS YOUR ONLINE
CLASS QUICKLY!!
REMEMBER: WRITE DOWN YOUR USER ID AND PASSWORD AND STORE
IT IN A SAFE PLACE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE