NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE
U. S. HISTORY I
SYLLABUS
HIST-2003 01081S (3 Credit Hours)
Meeting Time: MWF 8:00 A.M. – 8:50 A.M.
Professor JOHN RHYMER
Department of Social Sciences
Telephone No. (Off-Campus): 870-741-8977
E-Mail: jmrhymer@northark.edu
Office: Students should contact the instructor in person
or by telephone or E-Mail to schedule an appointment, if necessary.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course surveys United States History from the first
European encounters with the Native Americans until the Reconstruction period to
about 1877.
AUDIENCE FOR COURSE: Open to all students.
PRE-REQUISITES: None.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, OR EXPERIENCES
THE STUDENT SHOULD HAVE: Ability to read comprehensively, analyze,
criticize, and compare the reading selections, take notes, and participate in group
discussions of the readings.
RATIONALE FOR COURSE: To provide a working knowledge of United States
History, in order to promote an appreciation of the origins of our modern American
institutions, including our constitutional government, our Federal system, our
churches and other community organizations, our system of personal rights and
freedoms, and our civic duties; and to promote a better understanding of current
events through historical knowledge.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: Readings, lectures, classroom discussion, written
assignments, written tests.
NON-ATTENDANCE: Any unexcused absence from class may impair your grade.
If you miss a class for any reason, you are responsible for learning the course
materials covered in your absence and for obtaining any handouts and assignments.
Failure to attend more than five (5) classes without valid excuse would constitute
excessive absences, and may result in your involuntary removal from the class
or a grade of “F”. The student is responsible for notifying the instructor as
promptly as possible of the reason for the absence, and for supporting the reason
with written proof if available, and the instructor will decide in his discretion
whether the reason for absence constitutes a valid excuse.
PLEASE NOTE THIS RECENT CHANGE IN POLICY: It is now the student’s
responsibility to withdraw from any class which he/she is not attending.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
(1) CLASS ATTENDANCE: Roll-call will be taken each day. Each student is
responsible for being in class when class begins, bringing any necessary
materials, including the textbook, a notebook and a pen, taking notes during
class, and remaining until class is dismissed.
(2) CLASS PARTICIPATION: You are encouraged to question the instructor
and to participate actively in classroom discussion.
(3) READINGS: Read the required readings (as indicated on the Course
Schedule, in addition to any handouts and other required readings) in
advance of the class in which the readings are to be covered. You are
responsible for obtaining the required textbook from the school bookstore:
America, A Concise History, 5th ed., Vol. I: To 1877, by James A. Henretta,
Rebecca Edwards, and Robert O. Self.
(4) TESTS: Three tests will be given during the semester, as indicated on the
Course Schedule. If these tests are re-scheduled, it will be announced in
class. These tests will be mostly multiple choice, and each of them may also
include a few essay questions. There will be a Final Examination at the end
of the semester, which will consist of all essays.
(5) ASSIGNMENTS: There may also be some written assignments and/or map
assignments given from time to time, throughout the semester.
COURSE GRADING PROCEDURES: The four tests, including the final exam, will
be of equal weight. Class participation may enhance your grade. In the instructor’s
discretion, your lowest test grade may be discounted.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
A. Read the college catalog and all materials you receive during registration.
These materials tell you what the college expects from you.
B. Read the syllabus for each class. The syllabus tells you what the instructor
expects from you.
C. Attend all class meetings. Something important to learning happens during
every class period. If you must miss a class meeting, you are responsible for
the missed material.
D. Be on time. If you come in after class has started, you disrupt the entire
class.
E. Never interrupt another class to talk to the instructor or a student in that
class.
F. Be prepared for class. Complete reading assignments and other homework
before class so that you can understand the lecture and participate in
discussion. Always have pen/pencil, paper, and other specific tools for class.
G. Learn to take good notes. Write down key words of important ideas and
facts rather than word-for-word statements by the instructor.
H. Allow time to use all the resources available to you at the college. Use the
library; use the free tutors, tapes, computers, and other resources in
Learning Assistance Center.
I. Treat others with respect. Part of the college experience is being exposed to
people with ideas, values, and backgrounds different from yours. Listen to
others and evaluate ideas on their own merit.
PROCEDURES AND CONSEQUENCES IN CASE OF DISHONESTY: If the
instructor suspects dishonesty or cheating, the instructor will inform the student of
his suspicion and the basis for his suspicion, give the student an opportunity to
explain and present evidence. The consequences, according to the instructor’s
discretion, may include requiring the student to take the test or perform the
assignment over again, entry of a grade of “F” for the particular activity, no credit
for the particular activity, referral to the disciplinary committee, entry of a report
of findings on the student’s permanent record, and/or permanent removal of the
student from the class, with no credit for the completed portion of the class. After
consulting the instructor, the student may next consult the Dean of Arts & Sciences,
then the Dean of Academic Learning, then the Appeals Committee for disciplinary
matters. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the college administration
may take further action, which may include temporary or permanent suspension or
expulsion of the student from the school.See your Student Handbook concerning
academic integrity, fraud, and dishonesty.
SYLLABUS CHANGES: This Syllabus, including the Course Schedule and Test
Schedule, is subject to change at any time, provided that the instructor will notify
the class of any change in the Syllabus by announcement in class.
ADA STATEMENT: North Arkansas College complies with all pertinent
provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act
of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should make
their requests in the following way: (1) talk to the instructor after class about the
student’s disability or special needs; and/or (2) contact Student Support Services in
Room M188, ask for Kim Brecklein, or call (870) 391-3339.
U. S. HISTORY I: COURSE THEMES AND CONTENT,
LEARNING OUTCOMES, OBJECTIVES, AND COMPETENCIES
Students should be able to identify and explain:
1. The characteristics of the Native American civilizations.
2. The principal European explorers and their accomplishments.
3. The leading figures of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation and
their doctrines, and their influence on the settlement of America.
4. The English policies that led to the first English settlements in America.
5. The beliefs and practices of the Puritans in America.
6. The contents and meaning of the Mayflower Compact.
7. The forms and methods of religious intolerance and persecution that
characterized the Puritan settlements in America.
8. The effects of the Restoration and Glorious Revolution in America.
9. The economic, political and moral dimensions of the institution of
Slavery, and their influence on early American life.
10. The accomplishments of the main figures of the American Enlightenment.
11. The leading figures of the First and Second Great Awakenings, their
doctrines and accomplishments.
12. The essential elements of the Philosophies of Freedom that influenced the
American Revolution.
13. The English laws and police actions that inspired the movement for
American independence.
14. The critical stages of a modern political revolution.
15. The signs of tyranny, as exemplified by the reign of King George III.
16. The common elements and essential differences between the American
Revolution and the modern European revolutions.
17. The various streams of influence leading up to the American Revolution.
18. The philosophy and elements of the Declaration of Independence.
19. The crucial defects of the Articles of Confederation.
20. The essential characteristics of the American Republic, as structured by
the U.S. Constitution.
21. Our constitutional rights as Americans, including the contents of each
provision of the Bill of Rights.
22. The historical sources and origins of our rights and freedoms.
23. The Founding Fathers and their accomplishments.
24. The constitutional crises of the early years of the Republic.
25. The causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution in America.
26. The essential elements of Jackson’s democratic revolution.
27. The leading figures of the American Renaissance and their
accomplishments.
28. The meaning of Manifest Destiny, the policy of Indian removal, and the
causes and consequences of the Mexican War.
29. The political and economic causes and consequences of the Civil War.
30. The policies and problems of the post-Civil War Reconstruction.
U. S. HISTORY I: CLASS SCHEDULE
(Readings from AMERICA, A CONCISE HISTORY, 4th ed., Vol. I: To 1877,
by Henretta, Edwards, and Self)
August 19: INTRODUCTION.
Chapter 1:
August 21: THE FIRST AMERICANS.
August 23: RENAISSANCE & REFORMATION.
Chapter 2:
August 26: THE INVASION AND SETTLEMENT OF AMERICA
August 28: PURITAN NEW ENGLAND.
Chapter 3.
August 30: THE POLITICS OF EMPIRE.
September 2: COLONIAL ASSEMBLIES.
Chapter 4:
September 4: THE ENLIGHTENMENT & THE GREAT AWAKENING.
September 6: THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.
September 9: Review.
September 11: First Test.
Chapter 5:
September 13: THE ROOTS OF RESISTANCE.
September 16: THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE.
Appendix D-1 – D-4:
September 18: THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
Chapter 6:
September 20: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
September 23: THE NEW REPUBLIC.
Appendix D-10 – D-13:
September 25: THE CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE I.
Appendix D-13 – D-16:
September 27: THE CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE II.
Appendix D-16 - D-19:
September 30: THE CONSTITUTION, ARTICLES III-VII.
Appendix D-19:
October 3: THE BILL OF RIGHTS: AMENDMENTS I-III.
Appendix D-19 – D-20:
October 5: THE BILL OF RIGHTS: AMENDMENTS IV-X.
October 7: Review.
October 10: Second Test.
Chapter 7:
October 24: THE FIRST PRESIDENTS.
October 26: WESTWARD EXPANSION.
Chapter 8:
October 29: CAPITALIST COMMONWEALTH.
October 31: THE SECOND GREAT AWAKENING.
Chapter 9:
November 2: THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.
November 5: THE BENEVOLENT EMPIRE.
Chapter 10:
November 7: THE DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION.
November 9: THE JACKSONIAN PRESIDENCY.
November 12: Review.
November 14: Third Test.
Chapter 11:
November 16: INDIVIDUALISM.
November 19: ABOLITIONISM & WOMEN’S RIGHTS.
Chapter 12:
November 26: SLAVERY.
November 28: THE POLITICS OF DEMOCRACY.
Chapter 13:
November 30: THE MEXICAN WAR.
December 3: THE RISE OF LINCOLN.
Chapter 14:
December 5: TOTAL WAR.
December 7: UNION VICTORIOUS.
Chapter 15:
December 10: RECONSTRUCTION.
December 12: COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
December 14: Final Exam.