HISTORY 1301: U.S. HISTORY BEFORE 1877
Office S – 314
882-8260(Office)
544-4776(Home)
william.adams@utb.edu
TEXT: Berkin,et al, Making America, , Vol. I (6th Edition), ISBN: 13-978-0-618-99485-4; Mills, Documenting the American Past,
Vol. I, ISBN: 13-.978-1-4266-2613-5.
William L. Adams
Office Hours: 11:00-12:00 MWF
9:50-10:50 TTH
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. To ensure a basic understanding of the facts relating to the founding, geographical expansion and economic growth of the
United States from the period of discovery through the period of Civil War and Reconstruction.
2. To enhance the student’s appreciation of the unique experiences that helped shape the nation’s principles, institutions and
American national character.
3. To improve the student’s analytical skills and his ability to express himself in writing.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to conscientious attendance, the student is required to take a map quiz, 10 textbook quizzes, two reading quizzes, two tests
and a comprehensive final examination.
GRADING POLICY:
The Final Grade will be computed as follows:
Map quiz
10 textbook quizzes
Test 1
Test 2
2 reading quizzes
Final Exam
30
points
100
points
100
points
100
points
50
points
120
points
==========
500 possible points
Students who earn 90-100% of possible points (450-500)= “A”
Students who earn 80-89% of possible points (400-449)= “B”
Students who earn 70-79% of possible points (350-399)= “C”
Students who earn 60-69% of possible points (300-349)= “D”
Students who earn 0-59% of possible points (0-299)= “F”
NOTE:
The instructor will at his discretion award up to twenty bonus points to students who have perfect attendance.
TExES COMPETENCIES:
For History majors intending to be teachers this course should help prepare you for TExES Domain II (U.S. History) in these
competency areas:
Competency 008 Exploration and Colonization
Competency 009 Revolutionary Era and the Early Years of the Republic
Competency 010 Westward Expansion, the Civil War, and Reconstruction
Competency 013 Geography and Culture in U.S. History
Competency 014 Government and Citizenship in U.S. History
Competency 015 Economics, Science, and Technology in U.S. History
CORE CURRICULUM BASIC INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES:
Three core curriculum intellectual competency areas are addressed by this history course:
1.) Reading: To be successful in this course students need to achieve college-level reading skills. Students will be quizzed on their
reading comprehension and retention a dozen times over the course of the semester-10 times on chapter readings of the basic text (465
pages), and twice on the supplemental reader (272 pages).
2.) Writing: Students will have opportunity to practice and to demonstrate their writing skills three times during the course of the
semester-the two major tests and the final examination include four essay questions. To score well on these essays will require clear,
cogent writing in paragraph style.
3.) Critical thinking: History is an excellent vehicle for developing critical thinking skills. The student will be constantly challenged
in both the lectures and in the reading assignments to understand the complexity of factors that “move” history. The student will of
necessity be called upon to make comparisons, to see cause and effect, and to draw conclusions. The student’s success in developing
critical thinking skills will be tested by the four essays included on both major tests and on the final exam.
TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE AND TEST SCHEDULE
TOPIC
WEEK 1
Introduction. Indians in America. Vikings in America.
WEEK 2
Search for a route to the East. Columbus.
Map Quiz
WEEK 3
The Conquistadors and other explorers.
Quiz 1 – Chap. 1-2
WEEK 4
The English establish colonies. Life in early America.
Quiz 2- Chap. 3
WEEK 5
The French in America. The French expelled.
Quiz 3 – Chap. 4
WEEK 6
The Coloniest grow apart from Britain. American Revolution.
Test I
WEEK 7
Problems of the new nation. War of 1812.
Quiz 4 – Chap. 5-6
WEEK 8
Factories, canals, railroads. The Jacksonian Era.
Quiz 5 – Chap.7-9
Reading Quiz 1 (Items 1-16)
WEEK 9
Exploration and settlement of the West.
Quiz 6 – Chap.10-11
WEEK 10
Texas and the Mexican War.
Quiz 7 Chap. 12
WEEK 11
Slavery in America. Slavery issue grows.
Test 2
WEEK 12
Lincoln. U.S. society on the eve of the Civil War.
Reading Quiz 2 (Items 38-48)
WEEK 13
Civil War: Fort Sumter to Vicksburg.
Quiz 8 Chap. 13
WEEK 14
Civil War: Vicksburg to Surrender at Appomattox.
Quiz 9 – Chap. 14
WEEK 15
Lincoln’s Assassination. Effects of War. Reconstruction.
Quiz 10 – Chap. 15
WEEK 16
Final Exam Week
Final Examination
IMPORTANT DATES:
Labor Day
Deadline to withdraw without a recorded grade.
Deadline to withdraw with a “W”.
Thanksgiving Holiday
Last Class Day
Final Examinations
Commencement
Sept. 5
TBA
TBA
Nov. 24-27
Dec. 5
Dec. 6-12
Dec. 17