Syllabus
History 1301: Dual Credit
History of the United States to 1865
Fall Semester 2013
I.
Course Number and Instructor Information
Instructor: Ross Teller MA, MSLS, MSCIS
CRN: 14011
Monday-Friday: 3rd and Period
Room L100
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Information:
Phone: 937-3666
Email: rteller@epcc.edu
Please put in a subject that adheres to this convention:
History Class (Day) (Subject)
Office Hours: Students may see me before school from 7:30-7:50, during both lunches, after school, and
by appointment. I encourage students to come see me on a regular basis.
II.
Text and Materials
Textbook:
The textbook for this class is:
American History: Connecting with the Past, Volume I, Brinkley, Alan. 14th Edition. The textbook will be
provided by the campus.
Article: The article for the written assignment will be available through the library’s online databases.
III.
Course Requirements
Catalog Description: See official course syllabus
Course Objectives: See official course syllabus
Evaluation: Performance will be assessed in the following manner.
There will be at least 2 daily assignments (either class work or homework) due each week.
These assignments will be 50% of your grade each quarter.
There will be 3 chapter tests the first quarter and 2 the second quarter. These tests will
consist of no more than 50 multiple choice questions from material in the book and your
notes.
This is the breakdown for the chapter tests:
First Quarter:
Chapters 1-3
Chapters 4-6
Chapters 7-8
Second Quarter:
Chapters 9-11
Chapters 12-14
There will be one written assignment each quarter:
Secondary Historical Source Review (Instructions will be given at later date)
These tests and the written assignment will be 30% of your grade each
quarter.
There will be an essay midterm test in the first quarter:
Chapters 1-8
This test will be 20% of your grade for the first quarter.
There will be an essay final test in the second quarter:
Chapters 1-14
This test will be 20% of your grade for the second quarter.
Grades:
90-100 points= A
80-89 points= B
70-79 points= C
60-69 points= D
59 points and below= F
IV.
Instructor’s Policies
Attendance: This course will follow the district’s and campus’s attendance policy.
Academic Honesty: This course will follow the guidelines put forward by EPCC and SISD.
Make-up Policy: Students have one week after an excused absence to make up work missed.
Student Conduct: Students must follow the guidelines set forth in the campus student handbook.
Students must turn off their cell phones at the beginning of class. There is absolutely no texting during
class. Cell phones and other Internet-enabled devices may be used occasionally at the discretion of the
instructor for instructional use only.
V.
Calendar
Course Schedule: Once students are given their textbooks, they are responsible for reading the chapter
assigned the week before we are covering the materials in that chapter. For example we are covering
chapter 3 the week of August 13-17, so students need to read that chapter before August 13.
July 29-August 2: Introduction to class and historical terminology.
Historical Terms
Pre-searching for Secondary Source Review
August 5-9:
Chapter 1
August 12-16:
Chapter 2
August 19-23:
Chapter 3
Chapter 1-3 Test
August 26-30:
Chapter 4
 AUGUST 28: EARLY RELEASE
 SEPTEMBER 2: LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
September 3-6:
Chapter 5
Work on Secondary Source Review
September 9-13:
Chapter 6
Chapter 4-6 Test
September 16-20:
Chapter 7
Secondary Source Review Due
September 23-27:
Chapter 8
Chapter 7-8 Test
Midterm Essay Exam
 SEPTEMBER 25TH: EARLY RELEASE
September 30-October 11: Intersession
October 14-18:
Chapter 9
October 21-25:
Chapter 10
October 28-November 1:
Chapter 11
November 4-8:
Work on Secondary Source Review
Chapter 9-11 Test
 NOVEMBER 11: VETERAN’S DAY HOLIDAY
November 12-15:
Chapter 12
November 15: Last Day to Drop with a “W”
November 18-22
Chapter 13-14
 NOVEMBER 25-29: THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 2-6
Chapter 12-14 Test
December 9-13
Secondary Source Review
Final Essay Exam

DECEMBER 18: EARLY RELEASE
El Paso Community College
Syllabus
Part II
Official Course Description
SUBJECT AREA
History
COURSE RUBRIC AND NUMBER
HIST 1301
COURSE TITLE
History of the United States to 1865
COURSE CREDIT HOURS
3
Credits
I.
II.
3
Lec
:
0
Lab
Catalog Description
Surveys United States history through the Civil War, emphasizing the Pre-Columbian background, colonial
contributions, the Revolution of 1776, republican government, the growth of democracy, social economic,
and cultural trends, the role of minorities, and the background and course of the Civil War. Prerequisite:
READ 0309 or by placement exam. (3:0).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period
of United States History
III.
Course Objectives
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A. Unit One – Meeting of Three Worlds, Beginnings to 1620
1.
2.
Compare the characteristics of societies in the Americas, Western Europe, and Western Africa
that increasingly interacted after 1450.
Analyze how early European exploration and colonization resulted in cultural and ecological
interactions among previously unconnected peoples.
B. Unit Two – The Era of Colonization and Settlement, 1585-1763
1.
2.
3.
4.
Explain why the Americas attracted Europeans, why they brought Africans to their colonies, and
how Europeans struggled for control of North America and the Caribbean.
Analyze the development of political, religious, and social institutions in the English colonies.
Discuss the values and institutions of European economic life which took root in the colonies,
and how slavery reshaped European and African life in the America.
Describe the struggle for Empire between the European powers in America.
C.
Unit Three – The American Revolution and the New Nation, 1754-1820s.
1.
2.
3.
D.
Unit Four – A Period of Expansion and Reform, 1801-1861
1.
2.
3.
4.
E.
V.
Explain United States territorial expansion between 1801 and 1861, the establishment of a
foreign policy, and how it affected relations between regions of the United States, with Native
Americans, and with external powers.
Discuss how the industrial revolution, increasing immigration, the rapid expansion of slavery, and
the westward movement changed the lives of Americans and led toward regional tensions.
Analyze the extension, restriction, and reorganization of political democracy after 1800.
Describe the sources and character of American cultural, religious, and social reform movements
in the ante-bellum period.
Unit Five – The Civil War, 1861-1865
1.
2.
IV.
Explain the causes of the American Revolution, the ideas and interests involved in forging the
revolutionary movement, and the reasons for the American victory.
Describe the impact of the American Revolution on politics, economy, and society.
Analyze the institutions and practices of government created during the Revolution and how
they were revised between 1787 and 1815 to create the foundation of the American political
system based on the Articles of Confederation, U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Explain the causes of the Civil War.
Describe the course and character of the Civil War and its effects on the American people.
Evaluation
A.
PREASSESSMENT
Due to the nature of history there is no challenge exam for the course. A reading test can be
given to determine preparedness of students. Individual instructors may use a unit
preassessment at their own discretion. Note will be made of this in their personal syllabi.
B.
POSTASSESSMENT
The instructor will maintain records of each student’s progress. Number and type of exams will
be determined by each instructor. Information on this will be in the instructor’s syllabi.
C.
REMEDIATION
Instructors will determine remediation and make-up policies. Note will be made of these policies
in individual syllabi.
D.
GRADING
Grades will be determined by individual instructors based on student performance. Information
regarding grading policy will be included in the instructor’s syllabi.
Disability Statement (American with/Disabilities Act [ADA])
EPCC offers a variety of services to persons with documented sensory, mental, physical, or temporary
disabling conditions to promote success in classes. If you have a disability and believe you may need
services, you are encouraged to contact the Center for Students with Disabilities to discuss your needs
with a counselor. All discussions and documentation are kept confidential. Offices located: VV Rm C-112
(831-2426); TM Rm 1400 (831-5808); RG Rm B-201 (831-4198); NWC Rm M-54 (831-8815); and MDP Rm
A-125 (831-7024)
VI.
6 Drop Rule
Students who began attending Texas public institutions of higher education for the first time during the
Fall 2007 semester or later are subject to a 6-Drop limit for all undergraduate classes. Developmental, ESL,
Dual Credit and Early College High School classes are exempt from this rule. All students should consult
with their instructor before dropping a class. Academic assistance is available. Students are encouraged to
see Counseling Services if dropping because exemptions may apply. Refer to the EPCC catalog and website
for additional information.