UNITED STATES HISTORY I: BEGINNINGS TO 1877
FALL II 2015
Instructor: Jennifer Zoebelein
HIST 1301: T/TH 5:15-7:45pm, Building 7656, Rm. 8
Contact Information: [email protected] , [email protected]
Required Reading Material
Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty! An American History, Volume I. Seagull Fourth Edition.
Course Overview
This course is a survey of the United States from the Pre-Columbian era through Reconstruction.
It includes topics such as English colonization, the American Revolution, the early national
period, slavery and sectionalism, the Civil War and Reconstruction. We will consider all
thematic elements of this history including foreign relations/military history; important domestic
issues and policies as well as questions regarding race, class and gender.
This course is a part of the core curriculum at Central Texas College and satisfies three semester
hours of the Social/Behavioral Sciences for the Associate of Science and Associate of Arts
degrees. Please check your degree plan to determine the status of this course in your program of
study. There are no pre-requisites necessary.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have a greater understanding of major
topics in 17th, 18th and 19th century American history. Students will also have gained knowledge
in the writing and communicating of historical information, specifically through the reading and
interpretation of primary and secondary materials.
Course Requirements
1. Reading assignments: One cannot fully understanding history and historical concepts
without reading, thus it is important that students keep up with ALL assigned chapter
readings. The majority of chapters are no longer than 20-25 pages.
2. Attendance and participation: All students are expected to attend class and contribute
in class discussions. As per CTC standards, each absence will be reported to the CTC
office and after two unexcused absences, evaluation will be made whether you will be
permitted to finish the class. If you miss class due to an excused absence, you should
contact the instructor to see what was missed so you do not get behind.
3. Homework Assignments: There will be two homework assignments derived from
outside materials, with due dates listed in the course outline below.
4. Writing Assignment: There will be one long writing assignment, centered on a
historically-based film of the student’s choosing, with the goal of introducing students to
analytical writing. Specific guidelines will be given one month prior to the due date.
5. Exams: There will be two exams – a midterm and a final – through which students will
demonstrate their knowledge/comprehension of the material. Questions will range from
objective (fill in the blank, matching) to short answer. Review sheets will be provided for
all exams.
Grading System
All grades are based on the following scale: A = 90-100, B = 80-89, C = 70-79, D = 60-69, F =
59 and below.
The breakdown of points is as follows:
Attendance and participation: 100 points
Homework assignments: 25 points each, totaling 50 points
Writing assignment: 50 points
Exams: 100 points each, totaling 200 points
Additional Important Information
All students are expected to maintain appropriate classroom behavior. Please remember, this is a
college course and as such, students are treated as adults. I DO NOT want to see/hear any cell
phones nor should students using computers do anything beyond typing notes. Also, students
should not talk amongst themselves once the lecture has begun; I am more than happy to answer
any/all questions as well as to facilitate good discussions of topics.
Cheating and plagiarism will NOT be tolerated. If a student is found to be involved in cheating
or not submitting an assignment in their own words and thoughts, that assignment will be entered
in the grade book as a zero.
Course Schedule (subject to change)
Week 1: 10/20 and 10/22
Give Me Liberty! (GML) Chapters 1-3
Americans before Europeans
Age of Exploration
Early Settlements
Development of Colonial American society
Week 2: 10/27 and 10/29
GML Chapters 3-6
Homework 1 due 10/29
American colonies and the British Empire
Origins/lead-up to the American Revolution
The American Revolution
Week 3: 11/3 and 11/5
GML Chapters 7 and 8 (282-310)
Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution
Federalism vs. Anti-Federalism (Republicanism)
The early years of the Republic
Jeffersonian Democracy
Week 4: 11/10 and 11/12
GML Chapters 8 (310-316), 9 and 10 (355-372)
Midterm Exam: 11/12
The War of 1812 – PBS documentary
Era of Good Feelings
Origins of Sectionalism
Economics, Technology and Transportation in Early Republic
Week 5: 11/17 and 11/19
GML Chapters 10 (372-393), 12 and 13 (465-480)
The Age of Jackson
Second Party System – Elections of 1836, 1840
The Texas Question
Manifest Destiny
The Mexican American War
American Society at Mid-century
Week 6: 11/24 and 11/26
NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING!
GML Chapters 11 and 13 (480-503)
**Homework 2 will relate to assigned material**
American Slavery
Compromise of 1850
The Impending Crisis – the 1850s
Week 7: 12/1 and 12/3
GML Chapters 13 (503-507) and 14
Writing assignment due 12/3
On the Brink: Election of 1860 and Secession Crisis
The Civil War – Major Campaigns and Home Front
Surrender at Appomattox
Week 8: 12/8 and 12/10
Final Exam: 12/10
GML Chapter 15
The Onset of Reconstruction
Reconstruction, 1865-1877
The Compromise of 1877
Final exam review