United States History I

History 1301-328

San Antonio College, Flex II, Fall 2021

Instructor: Derek Kutzer, dkutzer@alamo.edu

ZOOM LINK: https://alamo.zoom.us/j/93125381307

Room: Online

Credit Hours: 3

 

FREE ONLINE TEXTBOOK

The American Yawp: Vol. I: Before 1877

http://www.americanyawp.com/

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the pre-Columbian era to the Civil War/Reconstruction period. United States History I includes the study of pre-European, colonial, revolutionary, early national, slavery, sectionalism, and the Civil War/Reconstruction eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History I include: American settlement and diversity, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, and creation of the federal government. This course fulfills the American History foundational component area of the core and addresses the following required objectives: Critical Thinking, Communication, Social Responsibility, and Personal Responsibility.

Prerequisite(s)

INRW 0420

 

INSTRUCTOR’S EMPHASIS

This is a survey course, which means it covers a wide swath of time and events. Our particular focus is American History from its pre-European origins to the sectional divide over slavery precipitating the Civil War. We will dissect the concept of “liberty,” and how this term’s usage, application, and meaning has evolved over time. In addition, we examine the formation and development of the United States from a colony to a constitutional republic--and eventually a democracy, yet a democracy with severe limitations relative to today's more expansive political landscape.

The most important thing in this course is to try to “think like a historian.” Indeed, I won't test on memorization of dates or events. Instead, I want you to wrestle with big themes, debates, and major turning points in history. You should be able to contextualize, analyze, and think critically about historical events and issues, all while making informed judgements about historical actors. “Facts" do matter, and we will use them to develop stronger arguments. However, it is more important to contribute to “the historical conversation” generated in this class. 

 

KEY THEMES AND EVENTS

Contact vs. Discovery, the Columbian Exchange, Empire Building, Imperial Competition, Colonization, "The Middle Ground," The Age of Enlightenment, Changing Identities (From British to Americans, from Africans to African Americans), The Age of Revolution, War for Independence, Republicanism, the U.S. Constitution (nation-building), Jeffersonianism, Louisiana Purchase, Democracy and Slavery, Democracy and Women, The Two Party System, The Age of Jackson, "The Democracy," Westward Expansion, Manifest Destiny, Texas Independence, The U.S Mexican War, Abolitionism, Slavey, and Compromise, Slavery and Sectional Conflict, Rise of the Republican Party, Abraham Lincoln, The Civil War 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.
4. Appraise the choices, actions, and consequences of ethical decision making in a historical context.
5. Analyze the influence of civic engagement on the development of regional, national and global communities within the context of U.S/ during the time period examined in this course.

 

 Modules: Your one-stop-shop!

This course is designed to be navigated using Modules (access them on the left hand menu). Each module corresponds with a textbook chapter and theme for the week. In each module, you'll find links to readings, videos, assignments, textbook resources, discussions, and quizzes that are based on my lectures and textbook content.

 

ASSIGNMENTS

Discussions: This is a fun, and mandatory, opportunity to join the “historical conversation” with your fellow classmates. Each discussion will be based on a prompt, usually prompting you to engage in some sort of historical or contemporary debate. We will have 5 discussions. 

Quizzes: Quizzes will test your knowledge on the video lectures, the textbook, and other course readings. There will be 5 quizzes. 

Primary Source Exercises: These are short writing assignments that will ask you to analyze a primary source (i.e., a written source of information that was produced during the time period we are studying). There will be 4 primary source exercises. 

Short Essay: This will be based on a subject of your choice that is relevant to this course. You will use one primary source and one secondary source and develop a thesis (an argument).    

Participation: This will be your total, overall engagement with the course and interactions with your fellow classmates in the discussion portions of the modules. Basically, this should be an easy 100% grade for all those who are regularly turning in their work on time and participating fully in the discussion sections by commenting on their colleague's posts. In other words, you are receiving an extra credit boost in the class, just for participating on a regular basis! Yay!  

 

GRADES

Discussions: 25%

Quizzes: 25%

Paper: 20%

Primary Source: 20%

Participation: 10%

 

FINAL GRADE DISTRIBUTION

A: 90-100%

B: 80-89%

C: 70-79%

D: 60-69%

F: 0-59%

 

LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY

I accept late work. However, you will receive a deduction on the assignment’s grade for being late. The late deduction policy is as follows: 

1-5 days late = 5 point deduction

6-13 days late = 10 point deduction

14-20 days late = 20 point deduction

20 days or more late = 30 point deduction

*Example: if your grade on an assignment is 95%, but you turned it in 6 days late, your grade on that assignment would be an 85%.

 

CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE

All students must comply with the Alamo College Student Code of Conduct while attending classes at San Antonio College. It is absolutely mandatory to maintain a respectful environment within our online discussions. I encourage debate, but under no circumstances will I tolerate demeaning, personal attacks on another student. Disagreement about any issue should be presented in a civil manner, enriching the debate not paralyzing it.

 

ONLINE ATTENDANCE POLICY

Since this is a Flex 2, 8 week class, you are required to do at least a little work every day of the week and sometimes even on weekends. If you are inactive for a week or more, it could result in an administrative drop from the class.  

  

 ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Academic Integrity Violations: Students must be aware of the College Policy on Academic Integrity. Academic misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, fabrication and collusion. For further explanation, please refer to the Student Handbook at  http://mysaccatalog.alamo.edu/content.php?catoid=141&navoid=7642#Student%20Code%20of%20Conduct. 

 

Depending on the severity of the misconduct, students who plagiarize or collude on essays may be asked to redo the assignment or receive a zero. Academic Integrity violations can also result in an F in the Course and/or an Academic Integrity Violation charge.

 

Plagiarism is defined as “the unauthorized or undocumented use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.”

 

Collusion is defined when collaboration on an assignment results in a student’s final product borrowing the same argument, logic, and evidence as another that indicates no independent effort.  Collusion is also allowing another student to copy your work.

Again, you must follow all policies outlined in the Student Code of Conduct: Academic Integrity Violations, which are found at http://mysaccatalog.alamo.edu/content.php?catoid=141&navoid=7684.

If you are unsure how to paraphrase or quote, just ask or email me. Any student found engaging in plagiarism or who cheats on an exam will be asked to redo the assignment.

 

STUDENT ADVOCACY CENTER

Administration, Faculty and Staff of San Antonio College are aware that our students face many challenges while pursuing a college degree. Some struggle to meet basic needs of food, shelter and clothing.  Any student who believes this may affect his or her performance in the course is urged to contact the SAC Student Advocacy Center, which provides assistance to local resources and ongoing support. New location and phone number as of August 2018: The Center is located in the Center for Academic Enrichment (CAE).  Phone: 210-486-1111. https://www.alamo.edu/sac/about-sac/college-offices/student-advocacy-center/