United States History I (U.S. History to 1877) - 3 Units Section 73884 Dr. Brad Reynolds
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Welcome to your online U.S. history class with Dr. Brad Reynolds. (Please note that if you are viewing this prior to the first day of class then this website is subject to change! It does not become official until the first official day of your class so please reread everything here at that time if you are viewing this prior to that date. The Syllabus listed at Canvas is the only official Syllabus for the class.) You should also read or reread the "Online Classes Welcome and Orientation Letter Plus Online FAQs" located under the "Announcements" section of Canvas. After you have read it then return to read the rest of this Syllabus.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This is a 100 percent online course. There are no face to face meetings. You will be sending work to Dr. Reynolds by email to [email protected].
THE DISCUSSIONS AREA
If you would like to communicate online with any of the other students in your class about the class material, or perhaps form a study group online, or if you have a general class question for Dr. Reynolds that you wouldn't mind sharing with the other students so they could benefit from the answer too, then you can do a posting at Canvas by clicking on the "Discussions" tab of Canvas. (But if you have a personal question, like something about your grade, you should send an email to Dr. Reynolds at [email protected].) You should check the "Discussions" area for your class and the "Announcements" area of Canvas several times each week to see if there are any changes or updates to your class.
Now, since it is important that you can access Canvas for this class so you can get class updates, and so that Professor Reynolds knows you have read the course Syllabus and are actively enrolled in the class, you must do a posting to the "Discussions" area before the first Saturday of the class (meaning no later than the night of the first Friday night) or you might be dropped from the class! Just say "hello" to everyone by doing a posting with your full name and class section number (not your class number) your major, maybe an interesting fact about yourself, or anything else that you would like to share with the other members of your class.
CLASS TOPICS
For a list of the major topics covered in this class, please consult the table of contents in your assigned text (which is listed below under "The Text...").
This online course aims to acquaint you with the broad historical trends and the continuing controversies in American history from colonial times to 1877. It should help you realize that there are many ways to look at and respond to events. In so doing, the hope is that you will better understand the present so you can better shape the future. In order for you to understand and appreciate the course information more, you should stay current with the news of the day by regularly reading a daily newspaper, weekly news magazine, or news website, and by keeping current with the reading assignments listed below under "Course Reading Assignments". To accomplish the course goals the class will cover a variety of topics. By the end of this class it is expected that you will know when and why the first people came to America, what role the British and others played in shaping the colonial experience, why the Americans decided to revolt against Britain, why the United States won the Revolutionary War, why and how the United States became a federal democratic republic (and what those terms mean), why certain issues divided the country during its first hundred years, why and how the United States increasingly became an economic powerhouse, why the United States expanded west, what impact that expansion had on Americans and on those people with whom the U.S. government came into contact, why the United States was torn apart by civil war in the 1860s, and what successes and failures resulted from reconstruction. STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES The primary student learning objectives for this class, according to the class outline filed with the college's Curriculum Committee, include the need to:
1. Assess the history of America and the United States from the Colonial period through Reconstruction. 2. Analyze the cultural, social, and political diversity embodied in the American experience from the sixteenth century through 1877. 3. Examine the origins of the United States Constitution and the milestone events associated with that document from the ratification process through the Civil War and Reconstruction, including the implementation of federalism and the Bill of Rights. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The primary student learning outcomes that a student is expected to know by the end of the semester, according to the class outline filed with the college's Curriculum Committee, include the ability to: 1. Analyze the diversity, complexity, and contributions to world history of Pre-Columbian North America Indians. 2. Assess the European expansionist ethos in the "Age of Discovery." 3. Evaluate the historical impact of early contact between American Indian, African, and European peoples in the 15th and 16th centuries. 4. Assess early Spanish, French, and British colonial efforts in North America. 5. Trace the evolution of English colonization in the Chesapeake and New England. 6. Judge the importance of New England's King Philip's War and Virginia's Bacon's Rebellion so you can better understand the course of American Indian and British Colonial relations. 7. Assess the role of women and children in colonial America. 8. Examine the significance of the Glorious Revolution. 9. Explain the importance of the Restoration Colonies. 10. Compare and contrast German and Scots-Irish immigration. 11. Analyze the religious and philosophical currents present in mid-eighteenth century colonial America 12. Evaluate the importance of the French and Indian War. 13. Explain the causes of the American Revolution. 14. Contrast the arguments surrounding the ratification of the Constitution. 15. Compare and contrast the North and the South during the Early National period. 16. Assess the importance of the War of 1812. 17. Evaluate the rise of political parties and the advent of Jacksonian democracy. 18. Analyze the significance of antebellum reform movements--especially focusing on abolitionism and women's suffrage. 19. Compare and explain the development of African American culture among both slaves and free blacks. 20. Evaluate the circumstances leading to the outbreak of the Mexican War. 21. Critique the rise of nativism and the importance of immigrants and major ethnic groups to urban development. 22. Compare and contrast the positions of the pro-slavery and free soil/free labor factions in American society. 23. Evaluate the political, cultural, economic, and regional differences that led to disunion and the Civil War. 24. Appraise the major factors that led to union victory in the Civil War. 25. Evaluate the political, racial, and societal issues facing the nation during Reconstruction. 26. Appraise the cultural and institutional successes and failures of Reconstruction.
CONTACT INFORMATION
You can reach Dr. Reynolds 24/7 at [email protected]. (If for some reason that email does not work then you can try [email protected] but please DO NOT send the same email to more than one address at a time! Thanks.) When you send an email you will get a response as soon as possible and always within 48 hours. If you do not hear back from Dr. Reynolds within 48 hours, then please forward your original email to him on the third day and do not assume it was received. Also, please remember to always include your full name and your class section number (not your class number) in the subject area of your emails. Please also include a detailed message so we can be resolve you question(s) quickly. Thanks!
Dr. Brad Reynolds
Dr. Reynolds holds history degrees from U.C.L.A. and U.S.C. He has taught American history at three universities (California State University - Northridge, University of Southern California, and University of Vienna) and at two community colleges (College of the Canyons and El Camino College). He enjoys teaching and looks forward to discussing history with you!
THE TEXT AND WHERE TO GET IT
There is one text required for this class: The American Yawp, Vol. I, edited by Joseph Locke and Ben Wright. The book is available for free online. You can also purchase a printed copy if you prefer. Just check on the internet for the title of the text and you find information about the book.
COURSE READING ASSIGNMENTS
You will be reading the entire assigned text for this class. Since it has fifteen chapters, you are expected to read at least two chapters per week starting the second week of class (and three chapters for the last week). It is also expected that you will use the internet to find material for the assignments you will be doing for this class.
In addition, you should read a current daily news source or weekly news magazine or news website 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 to enjoy the class material more. It might surprise you that there are articles all the time in the news that directly relate to the U.S. history you are studying. Without doubt, knowing the past will better help you comprehend the present.
COURSE GOALS
The primary goals of this class are that your will complete the class readings, the historical projects, and the historical reviews, and that by doing so you will gain an understanding of how important it is to know United States history to better comprehend the present and help you shape the future.
GRADING
The grades in this class break down as follows:
15 Historical Reviews worth 50 percent of your class grade
15 Historical Projects worth 50 percent of your class grade THE HISTORICAL REVIEWS: Fifty percent of your class grade will come from your Historical Reviews. Their due dates are listed below in the "Calendar..." section. What the Historical Reviews entail and how they are graded are discussed below under "The Historical Reviews" below.
THE HISTORICAL PROJECTS: Fifty percent of your class grade will come from your 15 Historical Projects. Their due dates are listed below in the "Calendar..." section. What the projects entail and how they are graded are discussed in more detail below under "The Historical Projects".
TO CALCULATE YOUR CLASS GRADE: After you submit your projects and reviews to Dr. Reynolds, you will get an email back within 48 hours that states your work is accepted or you will receive an explanation as to why it was not accepted. If it is not accepted, you will have the option of redoing it and resubmitting it or you can submit something new. (So get work in early so you have time to redo something if necessary.) The grading for the projects and reviews are separate as follows: 14-15 accepted is an A, 12-13 a B, 10-11 a C, and 8-9 a D. So, when the class ends you have two letter grades One for the projects and one for the reviews. Each letter grade will be worth 4 points for an A, 3 points for a B, 2 points for a C, and 1 point for a D. Add up your two letter grades and your final grade will be: 7-8 an A, 5-6 a B, 3-4 a C, 1-2 a D and below that an F. If any of this is not clear, you should contact Dr. Reynolds. CALENDAR OF IMPORTANT DATES
February 5: On this first official day of your class, you should read the course Syllabus carefully and, if you have not yet done so, read the "Online Classes Welcome and Orientation Letter Plus Online FAQs" located under "Announcements". You should also start reading your assigned text and start working on your first two historical reviews and first two projects which are due a week from Friday! (For more about the "The Historical Reviews" and "The Historical Projects" see below.) If you have any questions about the class material you should email Dr. Reynolds this week at [email protected]. And don't forget to sign-in to the Discussions area at Canvas no later than this Friday night by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time! February 7: By this date you should have read your class Syllabus and contacted Professor Reynolds if anything was not clear. You should also have started to read your assigned text. And don't forget to sign into the class "Discussions" area before Saturday if you have not done so already.
February 9: You must post a hello to the "Discussions" area at Canvas no later than 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time today or you will likely be dropped from the class. By this date you might want to also reread the "Online Students Welcome and Orientation Letter Plus Online FAQs" in the "Announcements" section since the FAQs might have more meaning now. You should also be working on your first two historical reviews, and your first two projects (for the list of projects that you can do, go to the "Announcements" section and click on "The Historical Projects"). Remember, you want projects that specifically reference the primary history of your class (U.S. history to 1877) and which are mentioned in your assigned text. It might be a good idea today to also reread "The Historical Projects" and "The Historical Reviews" sections of your Syllabus. Remember too that you can turn in your work early and that you are encouraged to do so at least 72 hours prior to when they are due so that you are guaranteed to get your work back prior to the submission deadline. No work is accepted late and your work is not accepted/counted until it is submitted correctly. You can, however, keep submitting the same work until it is accepted. It will then count for the week in which it is submitted correctly.
February 12: No later than this coming Friday, your first set of two projects (numbers 1 and 2), and your first set of historical reviews (Chapters 1 and 2) must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put your work directly into your emails and to include a link to your sources for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. Remember too that you can turn in your work early and that you are encouraged to do so at least 48 hours prior to when they are due so that you are guaranteed to get your work back before the deadline. No work is accepted late and your work is not accepted/counted until it is submitted correctly. You can, however, keep submitting the same work until it is accepted. It will then count for the week in which it is submitted correctly.
February 16: By 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time today, you should have submitted your first two historical reviews (Chapters 1 and 2) and your first two projects in separate emails to [email protected] using your Canyons email which must show your name! (DO NOT send your work via Canvas.) You can use your personal email if it has your name on it. Please remember to put your work directly into the body of separate emails with no attachments except the sources for your projects. Yes, it's a bit more work but it will make record keeping a lot easier for both of us. And please don't forget to put your full name, class section number (not your class number), the chapter number you are reviewing, and the section of the chapter from which you got your item ( I, II. etc.) in the subject area of the emails you send, or note that the item is a project.
February 19: No later than this coming Friday, your second set of two projects (numbers 3 and 4), and your second set of historical reviews (Chapters 3 and 4) must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put your work directly into your emails and to include a link to your sources for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. Remember too that you can turn in your work early and that you are encouraged to do so at least 48 hours prior to when they are due so that you are guaranteed to get your work back before the deadline. No work is accepted late and your work is not accepted/counted until it is submitted correctly. You can, however, keep submitting the same work until it is accepted. It will then count for the week in which it is submitted correctly.
February 23: By today your second set of historical reviews (Chapters 3 and 4), and your second set of projects (numbers 3 and 4) must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember send each item in separate emails and to put work directly into your emails with a link to your sources for the historical items and projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails. Thanks.
February 26: By today, you should be working on your next set of two projects (numbers 5 and 6), and your next set of historical reviews (Chapters 5 and 6) which must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time this Friday. Remember to put the reviews of your projects and historical items directly into the body of the emails you send and to include a link to your sources for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. And last, remember that you can turn in your work early and that you are encouraged to do so at least 48 hours prior to when they are due. No work is accepted late and your work is not accepted/counted until it is submitted correctly. You can, however, keep submitting the same work until it is accepted. It will then count for the week in which it is submitted correctly.
March 1: No later than today your next set of two projects (numbers 5 and 6), and your next set of historical reviews (Chapters 5 and 6), must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put the reviews of your projects and historical items directly into the body of your emails and to include a link to your sources for the historical items and projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails.
March 4: By today you should be working on your next set of two projects (numbers 7 and 8), and your next set of historical reviews (Chapters 7 and 8) all of which must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time this Friday. Remember to put your projects and historical reviews directly into the body of your emails and to include a link to your sources for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. You should also be thinking about your next set of projects and historical reviews which are due next week. And remember that you can turn in your work early and that you are encouraged to do so at least 48 hours prior to when they are due. No work is accepted late and your work is not accepted/counted until it is submitted correctly. You can, however, keep submitting the same work until it is accepted. It will then count for the week in which it is submitted correctly.
March 8: By today your next set of two projects (numbers 7 and 8), and your fourth set of historical reviews (Chapters 7 and 8), must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put your projects and historical reviews directly into the body of your email and to include a link to your sources for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails.
March 11: By this Friday your next set of two projects (numbers 9 and 10) and your next set of historical reviews (Chapters 9 and 10), must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put the projects and historical reviews directly into your email and to include a link to your sources for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. And remember that you can turn in your work early and that you are encouraged to do so at least 48 hours prior to when they are due. No work is accepted late and your work is not accepted/counted until it is submitted correctly. You can, however, keep submitting the same work until it is accepted. It will then count for the week in which it is submitted correctly.
March 15: By today your next set two of projects (numbers 9 and 10), and your next set of historical reviews (Chapters 9 and 10), must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put the review of your projects and historical items directly into your emails and to include a link to your source for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails.
March 18: This Friday your next set of two projects (numbers 11 and 12) and your next set of historical reviews (Chapters 11 and 12), must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put your projects directly into your email and to include a link to your sources for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails. And, for the last time, remember that you can turn in your work early and that you are encouraged to do so at least 48 hours prior to when they are due. No work is accepted late and your work is not accepted/counted until it is submitted correctly. It will then count for the week in which it is submitted correctly.
March 22: By today your next set two of projects (numbers 11 and 12), and your next set of historical reviews (Chapters 11 and 12), must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put your projects and historical reviews directly into your emails and to include a link to your source for the projects. Also remember to put your full name and your class section number in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails.
March 25: By this Friday your last set of THREE historical reviews (Chapters 13 to 15) and your last set of THREE projects (projects 13 to 15) must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put the reviews directly into your emails. Also remember to put your full name, your class section number, the chapter number from which you got the item, and the chapter section from which you got your item in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails.
March 29: Today your last set of THREE historical review (Chapter 13 to 15) and your last set of THREE projects must be received by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time via email to [email protected]. Remember to put the reviews directly into your emails. Also remember to put your full name, your class section number, the chapter number from which you got the item, and the chapter section from which you got your item in the subject area of your emails, and to send all work in separate emails.
Congratulations - you have completed the course!
REVIEW OF IMPORTANT CLASS DATES
February 5: This is your first day of class. Please review the class Syllabus carefully. Contact Professor Reynolds if anything is not clear.
February 9: You must sign into the "Discussions" area of Canvas before 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time.
February 16: Your first two historical reviews and projects must be received no later than today by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C .time.
February 23: Your second set of two projects and two historical reviews are due no later than today by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time.
March 1: Your third set of two projects and two historical reviews are due no later than today by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time.
March 8: Your fourth set of two projects and historical reviews are due no later than today by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time.
March 15: Your fifth set of two projects and of two historical reviews are due no later than today by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time.
March 22: Your sixth set of two projects and of two historical reviews are due no later than today by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time.
March 29: Your last THREE historical reviews and your last THREE projects are due no later than today by 11:59 p.m. C.O.C. time.
THE HISTORICAL PROJECTS
This assignment is to complete fifteen historical projects that mention the primary content of your class which is U.S. history to 1877. The purpose of this assignment is to show you that there are many ways to learn about the primary history you are studying. To find the history project worksheets, click on the "Announcements" section and then click on 'The Historical Projects". You should answer the questions as they appear on the worksheets. You can also add questions if they explain how your project relates to the primary history of your class, what one needs to know about the primary history of your class to understand the project, and what you learned about the primary history of your class from doing the project. Things you can do include attending a lecture on a topic specific to the primary content of this class, writing a book review on a book that mentions the primary content of this class, visiting a museum or library to see an exhibit about something specific to the primary content of this class (if you do this make sure its since your class started and that you keep the receipt so you can send a copy of it with your review), critiquing a historical cartoon or poster or photograph of something that specifically mentions the primary content of this class, interviewing someone who knows about information specific to the primary content of this class, or even analyzing a song or video game about topics that mentions the primary content of this class. Whatever you decide to do (and you are welcome to suggest something that it is not listed), remember that at least one of your projects must be a historical document. You also need to do fifteen projects and you can only do any type of project three times, like three movie reviews, three website reviews, and so on. Also, not do any particular subject more than once. And don't forget to send each project in a separate email. Also, please make sure that the work you reference for your project was done within the term dates of your class. So, for example, if you do a museum review or a film review, make sure it comes from something you did since the class started. Once you have completed your project, you should put your work directly into an email to Dr. Reynolds. And do not forget to include your full name, class section number, and "Project" in the subject area of your email. If your work is done correctly, you will receive within 48 hours an email that says "Accepted". If the work is not done correctly, you will receive an email within 48 hours stating what needs to be done to make the work accepted. You can then resubmit the corrected work or submit something new. Whatever you submit will count for the week in which is is done correctly. If any of this is unclear, be sure to contact Dr. Reynolds via email for a further explanation.
If you have 15 or 14 accepted history projects you will get an "A" for this part of your class grade. If you have 13 in 12 accepted projects you will earn a "B," while 11 or 10 accepted projects will earn you a "C," and 9 or 8 accepted projects a "D." If you turn in less than 8 accepted projects then you will get an F for this assignment, but that's better than a zero for all the projects which is what you will get if you turn in nothing. (A zero for the projects assignment is an "F" plus one lower class grade!) You will also get a zero for each week you do not do an assignment that's due, and each zero will lower your projects grade by one. So turn in something every week the projects are due! You can turn in your fifteen history projects either individually or in total anytime prior to their due dates to receive full credit, but you should try to turn them in sooner than later and preferably at least 72 hours before they are due so if something is rejected you are guaranteed to get it back before it's due so you have time to make changes if necessary. And make sure you keep a copy of each project until you know it has been approved by Dr. Reynolds! Then keep the accepted email until you get your final class grade!
THE HISTORICAL REVIEWS
You are also expected to do fifteen historical reviews, which is one for each chapter of the book assigned for your class. To complete each historical review, you will read a chapter and select something from the chapter (a specific event or individual or a group or place) that is specifically part of U.S. history and is something one needs to know to understand U. S. history. You will then write about why you selected the item, its background, how and why the item is mentioned in your text, and its importance to American history. Also make sure you discuss the historical background of each person or event you mention in your review. You should use the internet to fully answer your selection. When done, you will send each chapter review to Dr. Reynolds in a separate email to [email protected]. In the Subject Area, put you full name, your class section number, the number of the chapter you reviewed, and the section of that chapter from which you selected the item that you reviewed (such as I., or II, etc.).
If the submission is done correctly, you will get an email within 48 hours after your submission which says "Accepted". If you submission is not done correctly, it will be returned to you within 48 hours with comments on what is wrong, so that you can resubmit it with the changes asked or resubmit something new. But remember, no work is accepted late so the sooner you get the work in the quicker you will get it back and the more time you will have to redo something in a timely manner. If you turn work in at least 48 hours prior to each deadline, you are guaranteed to get the work back prior to its deadline, so keep that in mind. Whatever you do, keep in mind that work counts for the week in which it is submitted correctly! If 14 or 15 historical reviews are accepted, you will get an "A" for this section of your class grade. If you have 12 or 13 reviews accepted you will earn a "B", 10 or 11 reviews a "C", 8 or 9 reviews a "D", and less than 8 an "F". But turn in something even if it is less than 8 reviews or else you will receive a zero for this assignment which is an "F" and one lower class grade. You will also get a zero for any week you do not submit a review when due, which will lower your historical reviews grade by one for each zero. So turn on something every week the historical reviews are due! As with your other work, do not delete work returned to you until you have received your final class grade.
CHEATING, COPYING AND PLAGIARISM
Unfortunately, a note needs to be made here about cheating, copying, and plagiarism. If you are caught cheating, as in copying the work of someone else, or if you plagiarize, you will receive a fail for the class 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 Dr. Reynolds.
IF YOU DECIDE TO DROP THIS CLASS
If you decide to drop this class it is your responsibility to do so before the drop date. If you remain in the class you should plan to complete all the class assignments by their due dates.
DO YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you still have questions about the class, please reread the FAQ section of the "Online Classes Orientation Letter..." under Announcements to the left of your screen. If you still need help then please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Reynolds at [email protected].