Syllabus
Course Organization
Title
Graded Element and
Possible Points
1
New World Encounters
Speedback: 10
2
New World Experiments
Speedback: 10
Chapter
3
Putting Down Roots
4
Experience of Empire
Speedback: 10
5
The American Revolution
Speedback: 10
6
The Republican Experiment
7
Democracy and Dissent
8
Republican Ascendancy
Speedback: 10
Midcourse EXAM (Ch. 1–8)
Exam: 200
9
Nation Building and Nationalism
Speedback: 10
10
The Triumph of White Men’s Democracy
11
Slaves and Masters
Speedback: 10
12
The Pursuit of Perfection
Speedback: 10
13
An Age of Expansion
Speedback: 10
14
The Sectional Crisis
Speedback: 10
15
Secession and the Civil War
16
The Agony of Reconstruction
FINAL EXAM (Ch. 9–16)
Exam: 200
Total Points
500
BYU Course Outcomes
•
Gain knowledge of some of the major developments in American
history to 1877 (discovery, colonization, American Revolution,
establishment of the Constitution, foreign affairs, westward expansion, gender, slavery, sectionalism, Civil War, and Reconstruction),
including an understanding of key historical terms and theories. Demonstrate this knowledge in exams, papers, and class
discussions.
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HIST 220: The United States through 1877
•
•
•
Hone the ability to analyze questions and issues in American
history to 1877, assess historical information accurately, and
distinguish between questionable and valid historical assertions
in exams and papers.
Learn through example and practice in classroom activities,
papers, and exams to evaluate primary and secondary sources
skillfully and honestly.
Learn to skiillfully integrate data into coherent arguments
expressed through a clear, well-written style in exams, papers,
class discussion, and other classroom learning activities.
Required Materials
Textbook
Divine, et al., America Past and Present with 12 month MyHistoryLab,
Vol 1, 9th edition (2011). ISBN: 9781256167952
It is highly recommended that you buy the textbook new
through the BYU bookstore.
Purchasing a new textbook will provide you with an access code that
grants you access to the MyHistoryLab website. If you buy the textbook
used, you will have to buy a code through the publisher, Pearson Longman,
to have access to MyHistoryLab.
If you decide to buy an access code through the Publisher, you will
receive the EBook (electronic version) of the textbook America Past
and Present.
Since you will be working with this book during the course, it is a good
idea to take a close look at it before you begin. This book was written by
a team of authors, with each person writing one part of the book. Notice
the biographies of the authors and their expertise in the fields they write
about. T.H. Breen, for instance, is an expert on the history of the American
Revolution. If you read the Preface, you will get a better idea of the goals
of the authors and will see a list of history professors who reviewed the
book while it was being developed.
Turn to the Detailed Contents and read through the topics of study.
Maybe you will notice that some of them are quite familiar and others
offer a new perspective on what you have already learned about US history in school. Finally, don’t forget to look at the Appendix, where you
will find documents of our nation’s founding, maps, and recommended
reading and Web sites.
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Syllabus
How to Read the Book
Now that you know a little more about the book, you can start the first
reading assignment. Always read with a pen or pencil in your hand. You
should mark the text and make notes in the margins of the book when
you find something that seems important to you. That way, when you
review for the exam, you will know just what to look for. You can use a
highlighter if you prefer, but you should also use a pen or pencil so you can
make check marks or asterisks or write a note about what you have read.
Don’t be afraid to mark up the book. If you keep it, the annotations will
chart your learning. If you sell it back, bookstores will take a marked-up
book for resale. Last but not least—write your name and phone number
in the book in case you misplace it.
As you read, try to keep the main themes in your mind. Look for the
main idea (usually at the beginning of the section or paragraph), and
then notice how the following text provides supporting evidence. Try
to understand how the details illustrate the main ideas so you are not
overwhelmed by the details. The authors of the book have written a very
readable narrative. I hope you enjoy it.
MyHistoryLab Course Compass Access Code
The MyHistoryLab website was created by the publisher to help you learn.
Much of the information for the exam and Speedback questions comes
from the activities on this Web site. It is very important that you complete
these activities; they will prepare you for the Speedback assignments and
the quizzes. To register:
1. Please go to http://www.myhistorylab.com
2. Register by clicking on the “Student” tab under “Register” on the
right-hand side of the page.
3. Choose “Yes, I have a Course ID.”
4. Enter this Course ID in the box: buckley68602. Click “Go” and
then click “Next.”
5. Create a Pearson Account. To do this, click on the “Create” button
in the middle of the screen.
6. Enter your personal information and create your own unique
login and password. Pick a security question and give an answer. Accept the license agreement by checking the box at the bottom
of the page. Click “Create Account.”
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HIST 220: The United States through 1877
7. Select the option “Use and Access Code” by clicking on the “Access
Code” button.
8. Enter in the six word access code, one word in each box, from your
access card that came with your book. Click the “Finish” button.
9. The website will process your request and you will see a confirmation page.
10. To access MyHistoryLab and log in with your new login and
password, go to http://www.myhistorylab.com and click on “Sign
In”. Enter your login and password.
11. To access your course, click directly on the course name. You are
now in MyHistoryLab.
After you register (be sure to write down your user name and password
for future reference), click the chapter you want to read. Review the time
lines, the Study Guide (including the Learning Objectives and Glossary),
and view the PowerPoint presentation. If you were in my classroom, you
would be reviewing the PowerPoint in class and taking notes, so I recommend you take notes as you view it. Writing down notes will help your
brain process what you are reading and please review the maps. Flip the
Flash cards to help you solidify what you have read. (You may skip the
video unless it is noted in the Lesson that viewing is required.) Review
the following items on the MyHistoryLab website to see if you are ready
to take the Speedback assignment.
•
•
•
Timelines
Study Guide
◊ Learning Objectives
◊ Glossary
PowerPoint presentation
Internet Access
It is required that you have Internet access to complete this course.
Internet access will allow you to utilize the learning aids provided on
the MyHistoryLab website. Many of the questions contained on your
Speedbacks and Exams are taken from these learning aids.
Civil War Documentary
For lesson 15, you will need to check out Ken Burns Civil War documentary; it should be found at your local library.
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Syllabus
Grading and Assessment
Exams
This course includes one midcourse exam and a final exam, each worth
40% of the course grade.
The exams are closed book and worth 200 points (half multiple choice;
half essay). The midcourse exam covers Lessons 1–8, and the final covers
Lessons 9–16. The final is not comprehensive. Paper will be provided for
the essay portion of the exams.
Students always want to know “What will be on the exam?” The goal
is for you to understand major concepts and trends, and not just memorize miscellaneous names and dates. Names and dates are important
only as they fit into the larger patterns. That means you need to understand the larger patterns by reading carefully, taking notes, and reviewing. See the exam preparation sections of this course for details.
Speedbacks
This course includes ten Speedback assignments as incentives for you
to keep up with the readings. Each Speedback assignment is worth 2%
of the course grade. You will earn a better grade if you keep up with the
assigned readings and prepare for each assignment by taking notes or
marking the text.
Grade Scale
A
100
93
A-
92
90
B+
89
87
B
86
83
B-
82
80
C+
79
77
C
76
73
70
C-
72
D+
69
67
D
66
63
D-
62
60
E
59
0
Note: You must pass the final exam to pass the course.
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