MT SAC COLLEGE
Course Syllabus
Course Title: U.S. History
Class Meetings: T-TH 7:00-8:25
Dates: 2/24/2015 - 6/14/2015
Course number: HST 1
Session: Spring 2015
Ticket: 41570
Instructor Name: Mr. Todd Menzing
Email Address: tmenzing@saddleback.edu & tmenzing@mtsac.edu
Phone: None
WEB SITE: http://www.saddleback.edu/faculty/tmenzing/
U.S. History
Course Description:
History of the United States from Native American and colonial times to present. History majors should
take History 7 and 8.
Course Length: 16 Weeks
Anticipated Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Examine the effects of European colonization on Native Peoples.
Analyze the effects of being a colony on early American settlers.
Articulate the changing definition of American democracy.
Determine the patterns that lead to American involvement in revolution and war.
Examine the effects of technology on American development.
Analyze the effects of immigration on American history.
Obtain a basic understanding and knowledge of the various contours within the history of the
United States from the 1877 to the present.
To question "history" in order to understand that history emanates from subjective positions that
shape the stories that are told, presented, or remembered.
To explore how we construct our knowledge of the world from our diverse experiences and
backgrounds within American culture.
Explore contemporary American issues and determine their historical origins.
Articulate the goals, research methodologies, and issues common to most social and behavioral
scientists.
Required Texts (Nash and Edmunds available in the bookstore)
Nash, American People: Concise (Combined) 7th ed
Edmunds, Tecumseh and the Quest for Indian Leadership
Annenberg Media, A Biography of America
http://www.learner.org/biographyofamerica/
Zinn, A People’s History of the United States
http://www.historyisaweapon.com/zinnapeopleshistory.html
Other Readings: downloadable documents
Method of Instruction: In class
Estimated Homework Hours: 4-5
Technology Needed: Access to a computer, word processing program, disks, and printer
Grading Scale:
A
B
C
D
F
90-100
89-80
79-70
69-60
59or below
Process for Evaluation:
5 Exams (15% ea.) ……….. 75%
Final Exam …….....……….. 15%
Essay ……………………... 10%
100%
Exams: Exams are multiple-choice. Each respective exam deals with information up to end of
the week in which the exam is scheduled. Exam 1, for example, covers all material through
week 4. Exam 2 will cover all material through week 6, etc. Each respective exam is made up
of 50 questions. The exams are timed at two minutes per question. In addition to the chapter
study guides written by me, students should review the Student Website for the American
People (at the website listed above). Here you will find chapter summaries and various study
aids.
Essay
This essay is based on the Edmunds text, Tecumseh and the Quest for Indian Leadership
Students should include references to the textbook as well as the novel, e.g., (Edmunds, 46) & (Nash,
152).
The essay must be based on the Edmunds text. Students are free to develop their own thesis
statement and may approach the assignment any way they choose --- but the essay must be about
some aspect of the Tecumseh’s life and times.
The essay should be 3-4 pages in length, double spaced and typed
The essay must be submitted to Turnitin.com by June, 14 at 11:55 PM
User ID: 9592140
Password: Essay
The password is case sensitive
Students should go to the website and register early. Any questions should be raised during one of
the in class sessions.
Late papers will not be accepted!
Grading Policy: Grades are non-negotiable. I do not give grades, students earn them. I do not “round
up” scores. Students must accept, for example, that a grade of 79.99% is a “C” grade. I only change
grades if I make a mathematical/clerical error --- I will absolutely never change a student’s grade for any
other reason.
Academic Dishonesty: Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty
while pursuing their studies at Mt San Antonio College. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited
to: plagiarism and cheating, misuse of academic resources or facilities, and misuse of computer software,
data, equipment or networks.
Plagiarism is the use (copying) of another person’s ideas, words, visual images, or audio samples,
presented in a manner that makes the work appear to be the student’s original creation. All work that is
not the student’s original creation, or any idea or fact that is not “common knowledge,” must be
documented properly to avoid even accidental infractions of the honor code.
Cheating is to gain an unfair advantage on a grade by deception, fraud, or breaking the rules set forth by
the instructor of the class. Cheating may include but is not limited to: copying the work of others; using
notes or other materials when unauthorized; communicating to others during an exam; and any other
unfair advantage as determined by the instructor.
Students who cheat and/or plagiarize will be failed out of the course (absolutely and without question).
Also, students who violate the terms of academic honesty will have an Academic Dishonesty Report filed
with the Dean’s Office.
Grading Criteria for Writing Assignments:
"A" range work is:
Outstanding achievement; significantly exceeds standards. Unique topic or unique treatment of topic;
takes risks with content; fresh approach. Sophisticated/exceptional use of examples. Original and "fluid"
organization; all sentences and paragraphs contribute; sophisticated transitions between paragraphs.
Integration of quotations and citations is sophisticated and highlights the author's argument. Confidence
in use of standard English; language reflects a practiced and/or refined understanding of syntax and usage.
Sentences vary in structure; very few if any mechanical errors.
"B" range work is:
Commendable achievement; exceeds minimum standards. Specific, original focus; content well-handled.
Significance of content is clearly conveyed; good use of examples; sufficient support exists in all key
areas. Has effective shape (organization); effective pacing between sentences or paragraphs. Quotations
and citations are integrated into argument to enhance the flow of ideas. Have competent transitions
between all sentences and paragraphs. Conveys a strong understanding of standard English; the writer is
clear in his/her attempt to articulate main points, but may demonstrate moments of "flat" or unrefined
language. The work contains very few mechanical errors.
"C" range work is:
Acceptable achievement; meets minimum standards for course. Retains over-all focus; generally solid
command of subject matter. Subject matter well explored but may show signs of under-development.
Significance is understood; competent use of examples. Structure is solid, but an occasional sentence or
paragraph may lack focus. Quotations and citations are integrated into argument and references are
provided. Transitions between paragraphs occur but may lack originality. Competent use of language;
sentences are solid but may lack development, refinement, style. Occasional minor mechanical errors may
occur, but do not impede clear understanding of material. The work contains few serious grammatical or
spelling errors.
"D" range work is:
Marginal in achievement; it fails to not meet minimum standards. Significance of content is unclear.
Some ideas may lack support, elaboration. Lacks sufficient examples or relevance of examples may be
unclear. Support material may not be clearly incorporated into argument. Expression is occasionally
awkward (problematic sentence structure). Mechanical errors may at times impede clear understanding of
material. May have a few serious mechanical errors.
“F" range work:
Ignores assignment. Lacks significance. Lacks coherence. Lacks focus. Difficult to follow due to
awkward sentence or paragraph development. Mechanical errors impede understanding. Problems with
writing at the college level. Any work that is plagiarized.
Personal Responsibility
NOTE: If you are no longer participating in the class it is your responsibility to drop or withdraw
yourself from the course. It is not the instructor’s responsibility to drop students who are no longer
participating in the class.
Homework and late assignments: students must keep pace with the reading schedule
Extra Credit Assignments: There is no extra credit
Students with documented disabilities: Students must report your requests for reasonable
accommodations to the instructor on the first day of class. Any student with a documented disability will
be accommodated.
Weekly Outline/Reading Schedule: The title of each week’s discussion matches that of each respective
chapter the Nash text. Students are to read approximately 2 chapters per week. Students are also to view
the Biography of America video episodes listed below. Additional films and readings will also be
attached to each week’s respective discussion forum prompt.
Week 1 (2/24-2/26)
READ: Nash, chapters 1-2
Zinn, 1-2
VIEW: A Biography of America: episodes 1-2; Middle Passage & 500 Nations
Week 2 (3/3-3/5)
READ: Nash, chapters 3-4
Zinn, 3
View: A Biography of America: episode 3
Week 3 (3/10-3/12)
READ: Nash, chapters 5-6
Zinn, 4
VIEW: A Biography of America: episodes 4-5
EXAM 1 (3/12)
Week 4 (3/17-3/19)
READ: Nash, chapters 7-8
Zinn, 6
VIEW: A Biography of America: episode 7
Week 5 (3/24-3/26)
READ: Nash, chapters 9-10
Zinn, 9
VIEW: A Biography of America: episode 9
Week 6 (3/31-4/2)
READ: Nash, chapter 10-11
Zinn, 7
VIEW: A Biography of America: episode 6, 8 & 16
EXAM 2 (4/2)
Week 7 (4/7-4/9)
READ: Nash, chapter 12-13
Zinn, 9-10
VIEW: A Biography of America: episode 10-11
Week 8 (4/14-4/16)
READ: Nash, 14-15
Zinn, 11
VIEW: A Biography of America: episodes 12-13
Week 9 (4/21-4/23)
READ: Nash, 16-17
VIEW: A Biography of America: episodes 12-13; 500 Nations
EXAM 3 (4/23)
Week 10 (4/28-4/30)
READ: Nash, 16-17
Zinn, 11
View: A Biography of America: episodes 14-15 & 17
Week 11 (5/5-5/7)
READ: Nash, 18-19
Zinn, 12-13
VIEW: A Biography of America: episodes 18-19
Week 12 (5/12-5/14)
READ: Nash, 20-21
Zinn, 14
VIEW: A Biography of America: episode 20
EXAM 4 (5/14)
Week 13 (5/19-5/21)
READ: Nash, 22-23
Zinn, 15-16
VIEW: A Biography of America: episodes 21-22
Week 14 (5/26-5/28)
Read: Nash, 24-25
Zinn, 17
View: A Biography of America: episodes 23-24
Week 15 (6/2-6/4)
Read: Nash, 26-27
Zinn, 18-19
View:
EXAM 5 (6/4)
Week 16 (6/9-6/11)
Read: Nash, 28
Zinn, 20-22
View: A Biography of America: episode 25-26
ESSAY DUE (Turnitin.com – Due 6/11)
FINAL EXAM (6/11)