AMERICAN HISTORY I
HIS 103-02 (Spring 2016)
M-W-F, 9:45 – 10:40 A.M., VAN 113
Hans P. Vought, Ph.D.
TEXTBOOKS: You should purchase the following books at the college bookstore or retailer of
your choice. In addition, the main textbook is available on closed reserve in the MacDonald
Dewitt Library. Readings should be done before class, as they will be discussed in class.
You will be responsible for all material in the books in addition to the lectures. In college, you
should develop the ability to read critically – that is, to determine what the author’s thesis or
argument is, and evaluate the evidence which he or she uses to support it. You will probably
find it useful to take notes on the reading, both for the in-class discussions and in preparing for
the papers and exams. In addition, there will be shorter documents to read on the website, which
will be discussed in class.

George B. Tindall & David E. Shi, America: A Narrative History, Volume One, 9th
ed. (W.W. Norton & Co., 2013). ISBN: 978-0-393-91263-0. This is a basic textbook,
which will give you a general overview to provide context as we examine specific topics
in-depth. The textbook website, http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/america9/full,
has videos, self-quizzes, flashcards, and many other features and study materials.

Timothy J. Shannon, The Seven Years War in North America: A Brief History with
Documents (Bedford, 2014) ISBN 978-0-312-44578-2. The “Great War for Empire”
drove the French from the continent and set the stage for the American Revolution.

Noble E. Cunningham, Jr., Jefferson v. Hamilton: Confrontations that Shaped a
Nation (Bedford, 2000). ISBN 978-0-312-08585-8. Two of the leading Founding
Fathers had radically different visions of the United States following the American
Revolution.

Paul Finkelman, Dred Scott v. Sandford: A Brief History with Documents (Brdford,
1997) ISBN 978-0-312-11594-4. An in-depth examination of the notorious Supreme
Court decision that ruled African Americans were not citizens and had no legal rights.
CONTACT INFORMATION: My office is in Vanderlyn 239K. My Office Hours are Mon.Wed.-Fri. 10:50 -11:50 A.M., Tues.-Thur. 12:00 - 1:00 P.M., and by appointment. My office
telephone number is 688-1594. My e-mail address is voughth@sunyulster.edu. Website:
http://people.sunyulster.edu/voughth. Please note that all e-mail communication between
faculty and students should occur through the mysunyulster.edu portal, which complies
with federal law (FERPA).
COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to give an overview of the “first half” of
United States history. It traces the history of American life from the initial European settlement
to the end of Reconstruction in 1877. Key themes will include the interaction between different
racial and ethnic groups (Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans), the creation of the
republic and its political and social institutions, the economic growth and industrialization of the
nation, territorial expansion, and the growing sectional differences which led to the Civil War.
The course will consist of both lectures and discussions based on the readings. You are expected
to develop analytical skills as you assess historical evidence and arguments, and explain your
conclusions orally or in essays.
OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT:
Wed. 1/20 – Fri. 1/22: Introduction; Pre-contact Native Americans & Europeans (America, ch.
1, pp. 1-16).
Mon. 1/25 – Wed. 1/27: Exploration & Conquest: The Spanish Example (America, ch. 1, pp.
17-40).
Fri. 1/29: The French and Dutch Colonies (America, ch. 1, pp. 41-51; ch. 2, pp. 89-95; ch. 4,
165-69).
Mon. 2/1 – Wed. 2/3: Chesapeake Colonies (America, ch. 2, pp. 52-67; “Instructions for the
Virginia Colony” & “Two Different European Perspectives on Tobacco,” HIS 103 Documents).
Fri. 2/5 – Mon. 2/8: New England Colonies (America, ch. 2, pp. 67-83; “Mayflower Compact,”
“John Winthrop’s City on a Hill” & “John Winthrop on Arbitrary Government,” HIS 103 Docs).
Wed. 2/10 – Fri. 2/12: English Civil War & Restoration Colonies (America, ch. 2, pp. 83-105).
Mon. 2/15: PRESIDENTS’ DAY – NO CLASS
Tues. 2/16 (Mon. schedule) – Wed. 2/17: Colonial Life & Development (America, ch. 3;
“Olaudah Equiano’s Autobiography” & “Venture Smith’s Narrative,” HIS 103 Docs).
Fri. 2/19: Imperial Relations (America, ch. 4, pp. 158-78).
**1st PAPER DUE 2/19 on Shannon, The Seven Years’ War**
Mon. 2/22: FIRST EXAM
Wed. 2/24 – Fri. 2/26: Imperial Crisis (America, ch. 4, pp. 178-207; “George Hewes’ Account
of the Boston Tea Party,” “Paine: Common Sense” & “Candidus: Plain Truth,” HIS 103 Docs).
Mon. 2/29 – Wed. 3/2: The Revolutionary War (America, ch. 5, Appendix, A61-A65).
Fri. 3/4 – Mon. 3/7: Creating the Constitution (America, ch. 6, Appendix A66-A95;
“Hamilton’s Federalist 15,” “Madison’s Federalist 51,” “Patrick Henry Opposes the
Constitution” & “James Madison Defends the Constitution,” HIS 103 Docs).
Wed. 3/9 – Fri. 3/11: The Federalists and the Emergence of Political Parties (America, ch. 7;
“Hamilton Argues for the Constitutionality of a National Bank” & “Jefferson Argues Against the
Constitutionality of a National Bank,” HIS 103 Docs).
Mon. 3/14 – Wed. 3/16: The Republicans and the War of 1812 (America, ch. 8; “Dolley
Madison on the Burning of Washington,” HIS 103 Docs).
Fri. 3/18: Early National Society & Culture (America, ch. 8).
**2nd PAPER DUE 3/18 on Cunningham, Jefferson vs. Hamilton**
Mon. 3/21 – Fri. 3/25: SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES
Mon. 3/28 – Wed. 3/30: The Second Great Awakening & Antebellum Reform Movements
(America, ch.13; “Neal Dow on Temperance,” HIS 103 Docs).
Fri. 4/1: SECOND EXAM
Mon. 4/4 – Wed. 4/6: The Second Party System: Democrats and Whigs (America, ch.10-11;
“John Quincy Adams’ Inaugural Address,” “Webster’s Second Reply to Hayne,” & “Jackson’s
Nullification Proclamation,” HIS 103 Docs).
Fri. 4/8 – Mon. 4/11: Northern Industrialization (America, ch. 9).
Wed. 4/13 – Fri. 4/15: Southern Slavery (America, ch. 12; “Rev. Furman’s Defense of
Slavery,” HIS 103 Docs).
Mon. 4/18 – Wed. 4/20: Westward Expansion & the Mexican War (America, ch. 14; “John
O’Sullivan on Manifest Destiny” & “Texas Declaration of Independence,” HIS 103 Docs).
Fri. 4/22 – Mon. 4/25: 1850s: Sectional Conflict (America, ch. 15; “William Seward’s Higher
Law Speech,” “John Calhoun’s ‘Southern Address’,” & “Lincoln-Douglas Debate,” HIS 103
Docs).
Wed. 4/27 – Fri. 4/29: The Civil War (America, ch. 16; “Alexander Stephen’s Cornerstone
Address,” “Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address,” “Sullivan Ballou’s Letter,” “The Emancipation
Proclamation,” HIS 103 Docs).
Mon. 5/2: Reconstruction (America, ch. 17; “Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address,” “Alexandria
Petition” & “The Reconstruction Amendments to the Constitution,” HIS 103 Docs).
**3rd PAPER DUE 5/2 on Finkelman, Dred Scott v. Sandford**
Wed. 5/4, Thur. 5/5, Fri. 5/6: MAKE-UP DAYS (if necessary due to snow cancellations)
T.B.A.: FINAL EXAM
STUDENT REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THE COURSE: You will write
three short papers and three essay exams over the course of the semester. The three exams will
include a choice of short answer and essay questions, covering material discussed in the readings
as well as material discussed in class. They are closed-book and non-cumulative. No talking is
permitted during the exam, and you will not be allowed to leave the room until you have
completed and turned in the exam. Your essays should articulate a clear thesis (that is, an
argument supported by evidence) in response to the questions. You are free to express any
opinion; however, you must present historical evidence to support it.
The papers will be 2-3 pages each (typed, double-spaced, 1-inch margins and 12-point type).
You will write in response to questions about the three shorter books. You will submit your
papers to Turnitin.com, a website which checks student papers for evidence of plagiarism. Print
out the Originality Report from Turnitin.com and attach it to the back of your paper before
submitting it to me.
LATE PAPER POLICY: The papers are due at the beginning of class on the days noted in the
schedule above. Papers handed in later that day will lose a partial letter grade. Papers lose one
whole letter grade for each calendar day that they are late. Therefore, it is in your best interest
to hand in assignments on time.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is mandatory and will be taken each class. You will be
allowed 3 “personal days;” beyond that, each absence will lower your grade. Coming in late or
leaving early counts as a half absence. Make-ups are allowed only for valid medical or other
emergencies. Missing two weeks (6 classes) or more may lead to your being removed from the
course with cause by me.
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the
building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. Please
note the withdrawal deadlines set by the college.
ASSESSMENT: Grades will be based upon participation in class discussions, the three papers
and the three exams. The papers will make up 10% each of your final grade. The first two exams
will make up 20% each of your final grade. The final exam will make up 30% of your final
grade. There will be no “extra credit” - in college, you are judged by the quality rather than the
quantity of your work. Both participation in classroom discussion and improvement will be
taken into consideration in determining the final course grade.
The following grading scale is used:
93-100 = A
90-92 = A87-89 = B+
83-86 = B
80-82 = B77-79 = C+
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
60-62
< 59
=C
= C= D+
=D
= D=F
Please retain all graded papers from this course until you see your final grade posted on your
College transcript. If I suspect you of plagiarism or cheating, you will receive a 0 for that
particular paper or exam. You will have an opportunity to meet with me and demonstrate that
you are innocent. If a second offense should occur, you will receive a 0 for the course, and face
possible expulsion from the college.
FINAL EXAM: The final exam will be given during the regularly scheduled examination
period at the end of the semester. It will not be cumulative – it will simply be the third exam.
STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Academic Honesty is taken very seriously by
the College. Breaking the rules of academic honesty results in immediate disciplinary
consequences. What does our Academic Honesty Policy prohibit?
1 Cheating on exams or quizzes.
2 Use of others’ exact words or their ideas, even in your own words, without giving them
credit.
3 Submission of any work that is not entirely your own.
4 Theft or sale of examinations or falsification of academic records.
5 Submission of the same work to more than one class unless approved by both instructors.
6 Unauthorized duplication or use of computer software or print materials.
7 Any attempt to influence an instructor to change a grade for a reason other than academic
achievement.
The College uses an internet service to check for plagiarism. This service is also available for
student use. Ask your instructor for more information. The complete statement about Student
Academic Honesty is included in the Student Handbook.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: To learn more about any of the topics covered in this course, please see the
list of recommended books at the end of each chapter in the textbook, and on the textbook
website at http://www.wwnorton.com/college/history/america9/full.
N.B.: This syllabus is not a legal contract. Assignments and policies (other than college rules)
are subject to revision at any time throughout the course.
DR. VOUGHT’S RULES OF CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE: The essence of courtesy is
showing respect and consideration for other people around you. In the classroom, this means
both the professor and your fellow students. Anything that distracts you and those around you
from your mutual goal (i.e., learning) is rude and disrespectful. To further clarify this, I offer the
following rules, which I expect everyone to follow:
1. Class begins and ends on time. Therefore, you should be in your seat, ready to go when class
begins, and stay in your seat until class ends. Walking in late or leaving early will be counted as
a half absence, and two halves make a whole.
2. If, for some unavoidable reason, you must miss a class or leave early, please inform the
professor ahead of time.
3. Never get up in the middle of class and walk around, unless it is a dire emergency. Go to the
bathroom before or after class, not during it. Throw out any trash at the end of class as you’re
leaving the room.
4. Stay awake. If you fall asleep, I will ask you to leave, and it will be counted as a half absence.
5. No personal grooming during class.
6. Do not read or study for another class, or read for pleasure, during my class.
7. Cell phones and other portable electronic devices should be turned off and remain out of sight
(yours and mine).