INSTRUCTOR: Ranford Bertrand Hopkins
OFFICE: HSS 107
OFFICE HOURS: Contact via email: rhopkins@vcccd.net for appointment
OFFICE PHONE: 805.378.1400 x1702
DIVISION PHONE: 378-1445
Revised 06.15.06
MoorparkCollege
History 7A (CRN #53762)
A Political and Social History of the United States
THE UNFINISHED NATION– THE TELECOURSE
SUMMER 2006 (Saturday Version)
Welcome to History 7A, a political and social history of the United States of
America to 1877. I am looking forward to exploring with you this important and
gratifying subject as a telecourse.
COURSE MATERIALS
The following are required and may be purchased at the college bookstore:
• The Unfinished Nation Volume 1: to 1877,
4th edition by A. Brinkley, et.al. McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
• Distance Learning Study Guide for the Unfinished Nation ( to 1877)
by McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
• Digital Video Disk, entitled, "The Unfinished Nation, Part 1: “Early
Colonization to Reconstruction (to1877)."
• 2 Scantron sheets, Form #882 and a #2 pencil.
• Additional materials may be required
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Putting in perspective the major economic, political diplomatic, and social
developments affecting the United States to 1877 is a challenging task. To
accomplish this goal, we have drawn upon some of the country’s most renowned
historians. “The Unfinished Nation” integrates analyses from scholars, along with
other materials, to provide a truly comprehensive and thought-provoking survey
course.
The video programs use a straightforward documentary style and approach.
Each program analyzes the discussion topic as a part of the whole series, but
can also stand alone. The goals of the programs are to develop a frame of
reference and critical thinking on important historical issues.
This course surveys the history of the United States from the Colonial period to
the Reconstruction. The social, economic, political, and diplomatic aspects of the
American experience are studied. The primary purpose of The Unfinished
Nation” is to increase your knowledge and understanding of how and why the
United States came to be what it is today. In the process, you will develop habits
of critical thinking a frame of reference that will provide you with greater
understanding of yourself, your community and this nation.
COURSE GOALS
Upon completion of the course you should be able to:
*Describe the early North American inhabitants and their cultures and the impact
of early European explorations on them in both the short and long term.
*Recount the early attempts to colonize America by the Spanish, English, and
French, the settlements they established and how these settlements fared.
*Analyze the impact of the various religious and philosophical movements on
American political ideologies.
*Understand the political and social context of the events that lead to the
American Revolution and identify the people central to it.
*Explain the development of the American government and its political system.
*Discuss the impact of technology and industry on the American economy and
society.
*Describe the American cultural, social, and economic life prior to the Civil War.
*Understand the causes and legacies of the Civil War, and the important aspects
of the war itself.
*Recognize the interconnectedness of America’s political and social histories.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Reading.
Ideally you read each assignment before viewing the video lesson. The video
programs do not entirely cover all of the significant points discussed in the
chapters of the book. Rather, the programs highlight specific topics in each
chapter. If you read the assigned chapter before viewing the video, you will
better understand the context of specific examples in the lesson.
2. Viewing.
In viewing the video lessons, I strongly recommend that you first view a video
lesson all the way through without taking notes. Then, watch it a second time,
this time taking notes as if you were listening to a lecture in class. We usually
watch television to relax and to enjoy the break from other commitments. But, for
your education, you must be an active learner--watch attentively, take notes on
what you perceive to be the important points, and think critically about what is
happening on the screen. Please jot down your questions and concerns.
3. Writing.
All writing assignments must be mechanically printed. All writing assignments
submitted after the due date will be taxed a ten-percent point deduction.
Please proof your papers before you submit them. Your work can be sent by
mail to Ranford Hopkins care of Moorpark College at 7075 Campus Road,
Moorpark, CA 93021. The postmark must reflect the due date to be considered
as on time. Please do not submit your papers by FAX or by email. You can,
however, place your work in my mailbox located in the administration building.
4. Examinations
There will be a midterm and a final exam. Each will consist exclusively of
objective questions. The Final Exam is not comprehensive. Questions will be
based on material from your video lessons, the text, and from your study guide.
The Midterm exam is scheduled for Saturday 8 July 10 to Noon in the Forum
and will include materials from videos 1-12 and the corresponding text readings).
The Final Exam is scheduled for Saturday 5 August 10 to Noon in the Forum
and will include materials from videos 13-26 and the corresponding text
readings. This exam is not comprehensive. Please do your best to be on time,
there will be no opportunity to work beyond the time allotted for the exam. Makeup examinations are permitted minus a 10% penalty. No notes will be
allowed on any make-up examination except for students in the Access
Program. Make-up exams will be completed at the convenience of this
instructor.
All writing assignments, including extra credit, is due by Saturday 29 July either
by postmarked mail or those placed in my campus mailbox-Administration Bldg.
Late assignments will be accepted through 5 August minus a 10% penalty,
except no extra credit will be accepted after 29 July.
5. Grading Your course grade will be calculated based on the number of points
you earn as a percentage of the total points possible.
Midterm
200 points
Final Exam (not comprehensive)
200
1 Writing Assignment (TBA)
200
Reconcile Video Lessons and Text Chapters 25
Extra Credit (not to exceed 50 pts)
??
625 points
Grading Scale
A= 90% or better, 625-562
B= 80% or better, 561-500
C= 70% or better, 499-437
D= 60% or better, 436-322
Less than 322 points please try the course again after consultation with the
instructor.
SEQUENCE OF COURSE WORK
DATE
VIDEO LESSONS
1
17 June
01. From Days Before Time
02. Turbulent Virginia: Pirate
Base…Royal Colony
03. Saints and Strangers
2
24 June
3
01 July
4
08 July
04. The Lure of the Land
05. Coming to America: Portrait of
Colonial Life
06. Divergent Paths
07. Strained Relations
08. Not Much of a War
09. A Precarious Experiment
10. Vision for A Nation
11. Rivals and Friends
12. Best Laid Plans…
MIDTERM EXAM–(Lessons 1-12)
SATURDAY 8 July
10 A.M- NOON, Forum
5
15 July
13. Pressures from Within
14. He Brought the People With Him
15. Legacy of an Autocratic Ruler
6
22 July
16.
17.
18.
19.
Revolution of a Different Sort
Worlds Apart
Master and Slave
Voices of Reform
7
29 July
8
05 August
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Manifest Destiny?
Decade of Discord
House Divided
Battle Cry
Final Stages
Jefferson’s Vision of America
The Market Revolution
FINAL EXAM –(Lessons 13-26)
SATURDAY 5 August
10 A.M- NOON, Forum
TEXT READINGS
History 7A TV
Writing Assignment (200)
R. B. Hopkins
TERM ESSAY
Confucius once said, “it is not the way that makes the man great, but the
man that makes the way great.”
Your task is to weigh in on this proposition by Confucius. Please identify
two figures in United States history you met through the course video
lessons or the text reading during the period from 1607 to 1877 who you
feel made a significant impact on the growth and development of the United
States. Walk each through the following guidelines in an essay designed to
serve as the writing assignment for this course.
Begin your paper with a thesis statement in a section entitled THESIS.
In a section entitled BACKGROUND, discuss the background to the events
that your individual contributed that has earned him a significant place in
U.S. history.
In a section to be entitled CONTRIBUTION, describe three important ways
she contributed to U.S. history.
In a section entitled ANALYSIS, explain why you feel this individual’s
contributions or so important in shaping the course of U.S. history.
Finally, in a section entitled, On Confucius, discuss why you agree or
disagree with his statement above.
Your essay is due by Saturday 29 July. You may mail it with a July 29
postmark mail or place it in my mailbox in the Administration building here
at the college. Sorry, no electronic copies will be accepted.
Essay must be typed in 12-point font in the double-space format. Please do not fasten
the pages of your essay to fancy folders, notebooks, or coverings of any type. Simply
staple the pages together and remember to put your name and the time our class meets on
your essay. I may be contacted here at 378-1400 x1702, at home, (805)558.4386, and by
email: rhopkins@vcccd.net.
ENJOY!
History 7A TV & 7BTV
R.B. Hopkins
EXTRA CREDIT EXERCISE
You may review up to two books for extra credit points. Please follow the format below
must be followed to the letter unless you may loose points.
FORMAT FOR BOOK REVIEW--25 points
1. Select a book on any United States historical topic of interest to you, but within the
time period covered by the course: History 7A—1607-1877 and History 7B 18771990.
Any book listed in the bibliographies of our text may be reviewed without the
approval of the instructor. Book stores like Borders, Barnes and Nobles, or
Chaucer’s book store in Santa Barbara, CA have excellent history sections and
by reading those shelves you may find a title of interest. Please share your
selection with me before reviewing the book unless it is on our bibliography.
2. Identify the thesis of the book. To be entitled: THESIS.
3. Write a one-page summary of the book. To be entitled: SUMMARY.
4. Read two-book reviews and write a paragraph summary of both.
To be entitled: BOOK REVIEWS.
You will be able to track down a book review for most of the titles you select
in Book Review Digest. Please check with the college reference librarians for
assistance.
5. In a paragraph on each, describe your reaction to both book reviews. To be entitled
REACTION TO BOOK REVIEWS.
6. Describe how the book contributed to your learning about the subject in a paragraph
or more. To be entitled ENLIGHTENING.
7. Discuss in what ways was the book least satisfying. To be entitled: ROOM FOR
IMPROVEMENT
8. All reviews must be typed double-spaced in 12-point fonts. Please do not
attach your reviews to fancy folders of any type, simply staple your pages and
submit your paper with name, date, class, and meeting time.
revised 06.15.06
History 7A TV
Extra Credit Exercise (up to 25 points)
R.B. Hopkins
THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY EXERCISE
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and the Botanical Gardens are located at 1151
Oxford Road, San Marino CA 91108. Phone 626.405.2100. The hours are TuesdayFriday Noon-4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. There is an adult
admission fee and a lower fee for full-time students with student I.D. and for youth, ages
5-11. Please verify current fees with the library as those amounts may change.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to receive any credit for this exercise you most post the “H”
sticker you received upon entrance to the facility.
List three distinct exhibits you discovered at the Huntington Library in reference to U.S
history between 1607 and 1877.
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
List three distinct artistic expressions you discovered at the Scott Gallery.
4. __________________________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________________________
6. __________________________________________________________________
List three distinct artistic expressions you discovered at the Boone Gallery.
7. __________________________________________________________________
8. __________________________________________________________________
9. __________________________________________________________________
List three distinct artistic expressions, exhibits, memorabilia, or artifacts you discovered
at the Huntington Gallery (Huntington residence).
10. __________________________________________________________________
11. __________________________________________________________________
12. __________________________________________________________________
What was the single most impressive exhibit, display or presentation you viewed in the
Japanese Garden and explain why? ___________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
DIRECTIONS TO THE HUNTINGTON MUSEUM
SAN MARINO, CALIFORNIA
1. Take the 118 Highway East to the 210
2. Continue on the 210 East to Pasadena
(make sure to keep your eyes open for the 210 East as you
come into Pasadena, stay to the right—do not take the
Colorado lane into Pasadena. You will go through a
tunnel)
3. Continue east on the 210 East , exit at Hill street
(it will appear soon after you leave the tunnel on the 210)
4. Take Hill east, (runs parallel with the freeway)
5. Turn right on Allen
6. Continue on Allen until you arrive at the parking lot of the
Huntington and park in the designated areas.
Enjoy