SYLLABUS - Spring 2015 - Mondays and Wednesdays - SOCS 127, 9:30 to 10:55
Professor Brad Reynolds
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to your class, History 101 - United States History to 1877, with Professor Brad Reynolds. (Please note that if you are viewing this online and prior to the first day of class then this syllabus is subject to change and it is not "official" until the class begins. If you are viewing this as a hard copy then please note somewhere that your syllabus is available 24/7 at bradleyreynolds.weebly.com.)
Below is a description of this course. When you go to "Instructor" you will get information on how to contact him. Below that you will find out about course texts, goals, assignments, important course dates, policies, grading, and readings, and you will find a list of the essay exam questions. If you ever have a question about your grade or the course, please contact Professor Reynolds, preferably via email at [email protected], and please remember to include your class name, class section number, and your full name in the subject area of your email. (If that email address does not work you can try [email protected] but please do NOT send the same email to both addresses at the same time!) If you do not have email you can call Professor Reynolds anytime at 818-677-3565. If Professor Reynolds does not answer then please leave a message, and don't forget to leave your class number, your name, and your phone number!
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a chronological survey of American history from the first Americans to 1877, focusing on American social, intellectual, political, economic, and diplomatic institutions. Major topics in the course include colonization, slavery, the American Revolution, Native Americans, the Civil War and Reconstruction.
*Note: The maximum UC credit allowed for students completing History 101 and 102 and History 110 and 111 and/or History 105 and 106 is one series.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course you will:
1. Compare and contrast the cultural traditions, values and life styles of Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans in the early colonial period.
2. Assess the American colonial experience under English domination through the political, social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped its development.
3. Describe the institution of slavery and the experience of enslaved peoples during the colonial era; and explain why slavery became the dominant labor system in the southern colonies and how it impacted American social, political and economic systems.
4. Compare and contrast the Spanish, French and British colonies in North America.
5. Analyze the major events and ideas that gave rise to the American Revolution against English rule and assess the outcome of the war.
6. Identify the competing political philosophies in the early national period and explain how they impacted the creation of the Constitution and the expansion of democracy.
7. Define the basic principles of American foreign policy from 1789 through the Civil War era, and explain how those principles were applied to American interactions with foreign nations, including Native Americans in the West.
8. Evaluate the evolution of the institutions of family, school, workplace, and community from the colonial era through the Civil War period.
9. Identify and describe the impact of early nineteenth century European immigration on American culture, society, politics, and the economy.
10. Define the concept of Manifest Destiny and evaluate the process and consequences of westward expansion, including the impact of westward expansion on Native Americans and Mexicans.
11. Identify the nineteenth century reform movements aimed at the eradication of social ills in American society and assess how they influenced racial relations, gender roles and the social hierarchy.
12. Discuss the following issues in regards to the expansion of slavery in the nineteenth century: the evolving experiences and culture of enslaved peoples, the northern reaction to slavery, and the impact of slavery on southern economic and social systems.
13. Analyze the causes, course, and outcome of the Civil War.
14. Determine how political conflicts after the Civil War led to the creation of federal and State Reconstruction programs and assess the successes and failures of those programs.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES OR SLOs
Upon completion of United States History to 1877, students will be able to develop and persuasively argue a historical thesis in a written assignment that identifies and explains major social, economic, political and/or cultural historical themes or patterns in United States history to 1877 and apply appropriate historical methods to analyze and use primary and/or secondary sources as evidence to support the thesis.
ADA STATEMENT
El Camino College is committed to providing educational accommodations for students with disabilities upon the timely request by the student to the instructor. A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Special Resources Center. To make arrangements for academic accommodations, contact the Special Resource Center.
INSTRUCTOR INFO AND CONTACT INFORMATION
The contact information below is good 24/7. When you leave a message you will get a response as soon as possible and always within 48 hours. If you have not heard back from Professor Reynolds by the third day, then please send another message and do not assume that he got your previous message. And when you send an email please remember to always leave your full name and the name of your class in the subject area. Please also leave a detailed message so we resolve your question(s) quickly. Please note that if you call and you do not have voice mail or call waiting, or if you have a blocked phone number or email, or if you call on a cell phone and your message is garbled, or if you speak too fast when leaving your message, or if you forget to leave your name or number, you may not hear back from Professor Reynolds very soon, if at all, so email is preferable.
Office Hours
The best time to talk to Professor Reynolds face to face is right after your class. If that's inconvenient, then you can reach Professor Reynolds by one of the methods listed below, preferably email. Don't forget to include your class name and your full name when you leave a message.
(OR [email protected] but please only send an email to one address at a time! Thanks!)
Professor Bradley Reynolds
Professor Reynolds holds history degrees from UCLA and USC. He has taught American history for nearly forty years at three universities (California State University - Northridge, the University of Southern California, and the University of Vienna) and two community colleges (El Camino and College of the Canyons). He enjoys teaching and looks forward to discussing history with you!
YOUR COURSE TEXTS
The two texts for this course are: Bradley Reynolds, American History, An Overview To 1877, Sixth Edition (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012), ISBN 0-07-811948-0, and A Patriot's History of the United States by Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen (New York: Sentinel, 2007), ISBN 978-1-59523-023-4. Both books are available at the ECC Book Store and various online sites such as amazon.com.
The American History book was written specifically for your class. It includes outlines of material you will need to learn and a chronology of major events. It is the only book you need to read to answer the multiple choice exam questions and it is expected that all material used in your essay exams will come from the American History book and your other assigned text, A Patriot's History. A Patriot's History will give you more detailed background to the material you will learn in the class lectures. It is, therefore, expected that you will read it along with the other text and use the material in it and the American History text for your essay exams. They are the only books you should use for this class.
COURSE TOPICS
For a list of course topics, please look at the Table of Contents in your texts and at the "Course Description" near the beginning of this Syllabus.
COURSE READING ASSIGNMENTS
Your class reading assignments are to complete in the American History book Chapters 1-6 for your first exam, Chapters 6-10 for your second exam, and Chapters 11-18 for your third exam. In the Patriot's History you should read Chapters 1-3 for your first exam, Chapters 4-6 for your second exam, and Chapters 7-10 for your third exam.
Besides reading your texts, you should read a current daily news source or weekly news magazine on a regular basis. You may be surprised at how much material in this class has a direct relationship to events today. So stay current with the news and you'll enjoy the class material more!
GRADING
The grades in this class break down as follows:
10 quizzes worth 10 percent your class grade (You are expected to attend all classes so you can take the quizzes which can occur during any class. Please see below under "Quizzes" for more on this.)
3 multiple choice tests worth 10 percent each or 30 percent of your class grade (The exam dates are listed below under the "Calendar..." section, and these exams are discussed in more detail below under "More on the Multiple Choice Exams.")
2 essay tests worth 30 percent each or 40 percent of your class grade (The exam dates are listed below in the "Calendar..." section, and the exams are discussed in more detail below under "More on the Essay Exams.")
Optional history news articles and/or projects worth 10 to 20 percent of your grade (as discussed below in the section "Optional Work to Raise Your Essay Grade(s)."
CALENDAR OF THE MOST IMPORTANT CLASS DATES
January 21: On this first day of class we will receive the class syllabus. If you have any questions about the class then you should send an email to Professor Reynolds at [email protected].
January 26: By today, the start of your second week of class, you should have read the course syllabus and started your assigned reading for the class. If there is anything you do not understand about the class, then please do not hesitate to contact Professor Reynolds at [email protected].
February 2: By the start of this third week of class you should be well into your reading. You should have also started working on your first essay exam questions if you are planning to take the first essay exam. You should also be studying the multiple choice questions in your American History book in preparation for your first multiple choice exam in a couple of weeks. Again, if anything is not clear about the class then please do not hesitate to contact Professor Reynolds!
February 16: No Class! Enjoy your Presidents Day Holiday!
February 23: Today is the first essay exam. It is optional, as discussed below under Essay Exams. If you decide to take this first essay then come to class with a small examination book and a blue or black pen. If you are not taking the first optional essay then you do not need to come to class today.
March 4: Today everyone must take the first multiple choice exam. Make sure you come to class with a Scan-tron 882 and a number 2 pencil for all of your multiple choice exams.
March 16 and 18: No Class! Enjoy your Spring Break!
March 30: Today is the second essay exam. It is mandatory if you did not take the first essay exam, or optional if you did.
April 1: Today everyone should take the second multiple choice exam.
May 11: Today everyone should take the final essay exam, and all extra credit is due by the start of class.
May 13: Today everyone should take third multiple choice test.
Congratulations! You have finished the class!
MORE ON THE MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAMS
There will be three multiple choice exams. They will likely occur on the dates listed above. The questions for these tests will be taken primarily from the class lectures and the multiple questions listed at the end of each chapter in your American History book, so review those questions and you should not have too many surprises when you take your multiple choice exams.
MORE ON THE ESSAY EXAMS
In addition to the multiple choice exams, you will do at least two essay tests, one of which must be the final essay. For the other essay grade you will decide if you want to do an essay as part of Test One or Test Two. If you opt to do both essay Exam One and Exam Two, your highest essay score will count as your first essay grade (which is 30 percent of your class grade). Therefore, you should consider doing Essay Exam One so you can improve your written exam score if needed on Essay Exam Two. For the final exam everyone will do both a 100 question multiple choice test and an essay test.
Your essay exams will be based on the questions listed below. You will receive specific instructions on how to prepare for each essay about a week before each exam and there will be a review of all the essay questions. For now suffice it to say that you will receive two of the essays listed for each test and you will select one to answer.
Please note that when you take your essay tests you will need to write your essays in full sentences and paragraphs and that spelling, punctuation, grammar, and organization will count when determining your essay grade. So if you have a writing problem, contact Professor Reynolds for ways you might improve your writing. You should also take a look at the "Tips for Writing Essays" located at bradleyreynolds.weebly.com. Generally speaking, an essay that answers the question asked but in a broad general way emphasizing only lecture material and perhaps needing better writing and organization will probably earn a "C." A "B" essay is a very good essay but one that could perhaps use more specifics from the texts or lectures and/or more analysis and/or tighter writing and organization. An "A" essay is one that is well written and organized, answers the question in full, and uses specific examples from the lectures and texts. You will get a "D" if your essay has inaccurate information, and/or is poorly written and organized, and/or if it omits parts of the question, or if it answers more than one question. You will get an "F" if you fail to answer the question asked or if your writing is extremely poor or if you write very little. And you will get a "zero" if you fail to take the exam or if you are caught cheating, which would be like you didn't take the exam. A zero means an F for the test plus one lower class grade!
Students sometimes wonder how much they should write to get an "A." While you will be graded more on content then on length, generally speaking an "A" exam tends to fill most of a small examination book, both sides of the page. In other words, don't expect to get a very good grade if you write only a few pages. In short, an "A" means outstanding, a "B" means very good, a "C" means satisfactory, a "D" means unsatisfactory, and an "F" means you didn't answer the question. To calculate your class grade, assign the following points for each 10 percent of your class grade: four points to an "A", three points to a "B", two points to a "C" and one point to a "D." (So an essay test for which you received a "B" would be worth nine points if each essay is 30 percent of your class grade.) At the end of the term add your total points and your grade will be as follows: 40-38 points A, 37-35 points A-, 34-32 B+, 31-29 B, 28-26 B-, 25-23 C+, 22-20 C, 19-17 C-, 16-14 D+, 13-11 D, 10-8 D-, and below 8 Fail.
EXAM ONE ESSAYS
1. Write an essay about life in colonial British North America in which you discuss economic, social, political, religious, and intellectual developments of the colonies from 1607 to 1776.
2. Discuss the economic, political, social, intellectual, and religious causes of the American Revolution and especially the events from 1763 to 1776 leading directly to the Revolution. Was the Revolution inevitable? Explain.
3. Write an essay about the American Revolution in which you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both sides at the start of the Revolution, the course of the Revolution, and why the US won the war.
EXAM TWO ESSAYS
1. Discuss the reasons the United States adopted the Articles of Confederation, what successes and problems resulted from the Articles in the 1780s, and why, when, and how the U.S. became a federal republic under the Constitution. Include in your essay the various issues raised at the Constitutional Convention.
2. Discuss why the Federalists and Anti-Federalists emerged in the 1790s, the basic philosophy of each group (Hamiltonian vs. Jeffersonian ideology), and the positions each side took on the major issues of the decade, both domestic and foreign.
3. Write about the events leading to the War of 1812, the course of the war, and about the impact the war had on the United States.
EXAM THREE ESSAYS
1. Write an essay on the causes of westward expansion from 1815 to 1850 in which you discuss the impact of expansion on the U.S. economy and on the peoples of the west, especially the Native Americans, British, and the Mexicans. Include in your essay a discussion about the Mexican War in which you discuss its causes and its impact on America's movement west.
2. Write an essay about the economic development of the United States from 1815 to 1850 in which you explain why and how the economy expanded. Be specific.
3. Discuss the causes of sectionalism from 1815 to 1860. Pay particular attention to the events of the 1850s that led to the Civil War.
4. Write an essay on the Civil War in which you discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each side at the start of the war. Then discuss the course of the war, why the United States won, and the war's impact on the United States.
5. Write an essay about the era of Reconstruction from 1865-1877 in which you discuss the various plans and what worked or did not work. How did the period affect the civil rights movement? In what ways was it a success and/or a failure?
TEST INSTRUMENTS
For your test instruments you must bring for each essay test at least one small examination book and a blue or black pen, and for each multiple test a scan-tron 882 and a number 2 pencil. Your failure to use the proper test instruments will result in one lower test grade.
MAKE-UP TESTS
You will have to opportunity to make-up an exam you cannot take with the class, with the exception of the final which cannot be made up after the class ends. Make-up exams will occur at a time and place determined by Professor Reynolds, but will probably be during a scheduled class time. If you take a make-up exam before the scheduled class test time, you will not be penalized. If you take a make-up test after the class exam was given, you will be penalized one grade on that test for each week or portion thereof that you wait to do the make-up. Please note that you cannot make-up the first essay test. Instead you will simply take the second essay test. Nor will you be permitted to take the second essay outside of its scheduled time if you took the first essay. You must take all make-up exams by the last lecture class. Your failure to make-up a missed exam will result in a failing grade for the test plus one lower class grade, so contact Professor Reynolds to arrange a make-up exam as soon as possible if you must miss a test.
CHEATING. COPYING, AND PLAGIARISM
Unfortunately, a note needs to be made here about cheating, copying, and plagiarism. If you are caught cheating on an examination or any class assignment, or if you copy the work of someone else, or if you plagiarize, you will receive a failing grade for that test or set of assignments plus one lower class grade and you may be subject to further disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion. So make sure you obey the rules. If you have any questions about any of this make sure you ask Professor Reynolds.
QUIZZES
There will be ten quizzes in this class. They can occur during any class. The quiz questions will come from the previous lecture. So make sure you review your class notes on a regular basis, you do not miss class, and that you to not arrive late to class. The quizzes cannot be made up.
OPTIONAL WORK TO RAISE YOUR ESSAY GRADE(S)
You have the opportunity to do some additional work to raise one or both of your essay grades. The optional work involves toy doing ten history articles and/or history projects, or any combination of the two. If you complete a total of ten articles and/or projects then one-third of your midterm grade, (which is 10 percent of your class grade, will be an A. (If you got an A on your midterm then one third of your final essay will be an A.) If you complete twenty history articles and/or projects then one-third of your final essay, which is 10 percent of your class grade, will be an A. (If you get an A on your midterm and do both extra credit assignments then two-thirds of your final essay, or 20 percent of your class grade, will be an A.) If you decide to do the extra credit, make sure it is turned in no later then the start of final essay exam. Note too that you are welcome to turn in the extra credit early, and are strongly encouraged to do so. Now, if you want more on the extra credit, please read below about how to do the history news articles assignment and history projects.
HISTORY NEWS ARTICLES ASSIGNMENT
Ten percent of your class grade can come from doing ten history news articles and/or history projects. The point of your doing the history news articles is to help you realize that there are things in the news all the time that directly relate to the material of your class. So when you look for articles remember that they must reference some aspect of the primary history of your class (which is U.S. history) prior to 1877, and they must come from a current newspaper, website, or news magazine published within the semester dates of your class (and do not use history magazines or history websites, or "This Day in History" blurbs, or newspaper blogs, or magazine blogs, or sites like the New York Times "Topics"). Keep in mind that if you are looking for articles in a standard newspaper (like the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, New York Times, Daily Breeze, Wall Street Journal, or Daily News) you are most likely to find them in section A, but also check other sections. You are also welcome to look for articles online. When you find a good article on some historical topic related specifically to the primary material of your class (U.S. history) between 1865 and 2000, clip it and attach it securely (by staple or tape) to an 8 X 11 sheet of paper, or, if you find your article online, cut and paste it an email with a link to it. Also put your name, the date, the publication and page from which you got the article if you are submitting a hard copy. Then write a paragraph explaining what the article says and another paragraph explaining what parts of the article specifically mentions the primary content of your class and requires some knowledge of the primary class content to fully understand. Remember, you are expected to turn in ten articles and/or history projects to complete this assignment, so get started sooner than later even though the extra credit is not due until the start of the last essay exam. The idea here is to learn the history behind the stories in the news today to enhance your appreciation of the fact that knowing the past is relevant for understanding the present and acting upon the future. So keep your eyes open for historical items and write about them to get your class credit!
If you complete the required assignment by its due date you will receive an "A" for this part of your class grade. Eight articles will earn you a "B," seven a "C" and six a "D." You can turn in your articles and projects either individually or in total anytime you like during the semester, but you should try to turn work in sooner than later, and preferably at least two classes prior to the due date, in case an article or project is lost or rejected and you need to do another. And make sure you keep copies of what you submit until you are told by Professor Reynolds that your article or project was graded and recorded! Then keep that record until you get your final class grade!
HISTORY PROJECTS ASSIGNMENT
Your other out of class assignment involves you doing ten history projects (or a combination of projects abd articles). The idea of doing the history projects is for you to realize that there are many ways to learn about and appreciate history. For worksheets of the history projects you can do, please go to http://bradleyreynolds.weebly.com and click on "Projects." Remember, you are looking for things that relate to the primary content of your class (U.S. history) prior to 1877. Things you can do include attending a lecture on something related to the content of this class, writing a book review on a book related to the content of this class, visiting a museum or library to see an exhibit related the content of this class, critiquing a historical cartoon or poster or photograph of something related to this class, interviewing someone who knows about information related to this class, or even analyzing a song about some aspect of U.S. history related to this class or reviewing a video game related to the class content. Whatever you decide to do remember that you should do ten projects and/or articles, you must follow the directions for each project as printed on the project worksheets (although projects can be from 1-3 pages and do not need to be 2 pages), and you may not do more than two of the same projects (so, for example, you cannot do three movie reviews). Also remember that the work you do for a project needs to be done within the term of your class if applicable. So, for example, if you go to a lecture or see a movie, it should be something you do within the term dates of your course! If any of this is unclear, be sure to contact Professor Reynolds for a further explanation.
If you complete all ten history projects and/or articles by their due date you will get an "A" for this part of your class grade. Eight completed projects will earn you a "B," seven projects will earn you a "C," six projects a "D." As with the news articles, you can turn in your ten history projects anytime during the semester, either individually or in total, but you should try to turn them in sooner than later, and preferably at least two classes prior to their due date, so if one is rejected you will have time to redo it. And make sure you keep a copy of each project until you know it has been accepted and recorded! Then keep that record until you get your final class grade!
IF YOU DECIDE TO DROP THIS CLASS
If you decide to drop this class it is your responsibility to file the class drop form before the drop date. If you remain in the class you should plan to attend all sessions, do the readings on time, and participate in class discussions. You are responsible for any material, assignments, or announcements that occur in class! WELCOME TO THE CLASS!