[CLICK HERE FOR PDF OF ORIGINAL SYLLABUS]

[CLICK HERE FOR PDF OF THE SEATING CHART]

HIST2300.161

American History before 1877

Spring 2015
Tuesday-Thursday 11:00–12:20

 

Instructor: Dr. Mark Stoll
Office: HH 135     Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30–9:15, and by appointment
E-mail: Mark.Stoll@ttu.edu     Web:
http://courses.ttu.edu/mstoll/

Willie Armstrong
willie.armstrong@ttu.edu
Office: HH31     Hours: TT 9-10:30 a.m.
701 -- T 8:00 -- HH106
711 -- R 8:00 -- HH106
Carson Benn
carson.benn@ttu.edu
Office: HH141     Hours: 12:30-2 p.m.
741 -- T 2:00 -- HH004
751 -- R 2:00 -- HH130
James Vice
james.vice@ttu.edu
Office: HH281     Hours: T 10-11, Th 9-11
721 -- T 12:30 -- HH130
731 -- R 12:30 -- Ex SCI 120

Textbooks:

William Cronon, Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England
Study Questions

James D. Rice, Tales from a Revolution: Bacon's Rebellion and the Transformation of Early America
Study Questions

R. B. Bernstein, Thomas Jefferson
Study Questions

Paul E. Johnson and Sean Wilentz, The Kingdom of Matthias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th-Century America
Study Questions

Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Study Questions

James M. McPherson, For Cause and Comrades: Why Men Fought in the Civil War
Study Questions

Philip Jenkins, A History of the United States, 4th ed.

Format: Lecture and discussion sections.

Grading:

·         Three examinations

·         Students must bring bluebooks on exam days.

·         There will be a quiz over each book to be discussed.

·         All make-up exams and quizzes will be given on the last Monday of classes only.

·         Each midterm counts 22% of the final grade; the final counts 32%; and the six book-quiz grades together count 24%.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken in class and in discussion sections. Students with perfect attendance will receive a bonus of 3 points on their final grades. Students who miss more than 2 classes will lose 1.5 points off their final grades for each absence over two. Absences may be excused with written evidence of dire need, that is, death in the family, hospitalization, illness, etc. Students who have been absent shall present written excuses to the professor.

The jargon part that no one reads but has to be here:

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Core Foundational Component Area Criteria Description: Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events relative to the United States, with the option of including Texas History for a portion of this component area. (1,2) Courses involve the interaction among individuals, communities, states, the nation, and the world, considering how these interactions have contributed to the development of the United States and its global role. (1,2) THECB Core Objectives Description Critical Thinking Skills: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information. (1,2) Communication Skills: To include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication. (1,2) Personal Responsibility: To include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making. (1,2) Social Responsibility: To include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities. (1,2) Texas Tech University College-Level Core Competency Statement Students graduating from Texas Tech University should demonstrate an understanding of the historical origins of the United States and be able to identify and describe the importance of key individuals and events in United States history. (1,2) Texas Tech University Core Student Learning Outcomes: Identify and explain the origins and evolution of the political systems and political cultures that have shaped the United States. (1,2) Identify and analyze the various social and cultural factors that have shaped the daily experiences of people living in the U.S. (1) Develop and demonstrate analytical arguments in written and/or oral forms, related to American history. (1) Assessment of Learning Outcomes: (1) Exams (1) Reading quizzes.

Electronics in the Classroom: Because electronic devices distract both the student and other students around them, all electronic devices must be turned off during class time. This means no texting or other use of cell phones, and no laptops. Laptops may be used only if the instructor gives permission, but students must use the computer for class-related activities only, such as note-taking. This means no e-mail, social media, Internet surfing, video watching, or other non-academic activities. Students using unauthorized electronic devices during class will be asked to leave and counted absent for the day. If, during an exam, a student is seen using any electronic device, the exam will be collected immediately at that moment and receive a failing grade.

Map quiz: Because geography shapes and influences history, students must know the basic facts of U.S. geography. All students will be required to pass a geography map test. This test will require students to locate, on an outline map of the U.S., 20 of the features named on the following list. A passing score is 80%. The test will be taken in discussion sections during the fist full week of class. Students will have opportunities to retake the map quiz if they fail, but must pass before March 11. Students must be able to locate the following on an outline map:

All 50 states by name

Rio Grande

Washington, D.C.

Canada

Appalachian Mountains

New York City

Mexico

Rocky Mountains

Philadelphia

Pacific Ocean

Sierra Nevada

Boston

Gulf of Mexico

Cascade Range

Atlanta

Atlantic Ocean

All 5 Great Lakes by name

Chicago

St. Lawrence River

Great Salt Lake

New Orleans

Hudson River

Puget Sound

St. Louis

Ohio River

Great Basin

Denver

Mississippi River

Great Plains

Santa Fe

Missouri River

Chesapeake Bay

Salt Lake City

Arkansas River

Florida Keys

Los Angeles

Columbia River

Cape Cod

San Francisco

Colorado River

Cape Canaveral

Seattle

 

Long Island

 

Note: These geographical features can be found in most encyclopedias and atlases. You might also try your luck on Wikipedia or Google Maps. Attached to this syllabus is a blank map for you to practice with.


 

Spring 2015 Course Schedule

Complete the readings for each date before discussion is scheduled.
Dates are tentative; the professor reserves the right to make changes.
Changes to the Web page supersede earlier versions of the syllabus.

Jan 15 INTRODUCTION

Jan 20 AMERICA BEFORE CONQUEST

Jan 22 EXPLORATION AND EMPIRE

Jan 27 ENGLISH COLONIZATION
Week of Jan. 26: Discussion and quiz: William Cronon, Changes in the Land

Jan 29 THE PURITAN COLONIES: NEW ENGLAND

Feb 3 THE FRENCH IN AMERICA; THE MIDDLE COLONIES
Week of Feb. 2: Map quiz

Feb 5 COLONISTS, SLAVES, AND IMMIGRANTS

Feb 10 THE GREAT AWAKENING, THE ENLIGHTENMENT, AND POLITICAL IDEALS
Week of Feb. 9: Discussion and quiz: James D. Rice, Tales from a Revolution

Feb 12 CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION

Feb17 EXAMINATION #1

Feb 19 THE REVOLUTION

Feb 24 THE CONSTITUTION

Feb 26 THE NEW GOVERNMENT TESTED

Mar 3 REPUBLICAN "REVOLUTION OF 1800"; THE WAR OF 1812
Week of Mar. 2: Discussion and quiz: R. B. Bernstein, Thomas Jefferson

Mar 5  THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Mar 10 THE ERA OF GOOD FEELING AND AGE OF JACKSON

Mar 12 JACKSON’S PRESIDENCY

Mar 14–22 SPRING BREAK—No Class

Mar 24 THE SECOND GREAT AWAKENING
Week of Mar. 23: Discussion and quiz: Paul E. Johnson and Sean Wilentz, The Kingdom of Matthias

Mar 26 SLAVERY

Mar 31 EXAMINATION #2

Apr 2 SLAVERY; ABOLITION AND "POSITIVE GOOD"

Apr 7 WESTWARD EXPANSION AND THE MEXICAN WAR;

Apr 9 Film: Ken Burns The Civil War, episode 1

Apr 14 COMPROMISE OF 1850
Week of Apr. 13: Discussion and quiz: Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Apr 16 RISING CONFLICT; SECESSION

Apr 21 THE CIVIL WAR BEGINS

Apr 23 THE CIVIL WAR

Apr 28 RECONSTRUCTION
Week of Apr. 27: Discussion and quiz: James M. McPherson, For Cause and Comrades

Apr 30 RECONSTRUCTION; WOMAN'S MOVEMENT; COWBOYS AND INDIANS

May 4 All Make-Up Exams and Quizzes All Day in HH135

May 5 AMERICA IN THE 1870S

FINAL EXAM: 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday, May 9

Note: Any student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention known to the instructor prior to the absence.  A student who is absent from class for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence.  See University Standard Operating Procedure 34.19.
Note: Any student who, because of a disability, may require special arrangements in order to meet the course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary arrangements. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services during the instructor’s office hours. Please note: instructors are not allowed to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services has been provided. For additional information, please contact Student Disability Services in West Hall or call 806-742-2405.

The professor reserves the right to change this syllabus at his discretion. Changes will be announced in class and posted on the class Webpages.