Course Number and Title : HIST 1301, History of the United States, Part I.

Credit Hours : 3 Semester Hours

Instructor : Karen Sebesta

Office :   Chance Academic Center, Rm. 108
Email :    ksebesta@mail.accd.edu
Important:  To ensure best communication, contact me by email (use only WebCT email after course login) .
Phone:   210-733-2555 (History Dept.)
Prof. Sebesta's Homepage Address : http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/ksebesta/default.htm

Catalog Description

History 1301 is a general survey of United States history from the discovery of America through 1877.  It satisfies one half the legislative requirement of six semester hours in American History.

Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements
None

Textbook
Tindall & Shi:   America:   A Narrative History (published by W. W. Norton)   ISBN:   10:0-393-92732-6; 13:   987-0-393-92732-0 (pbk.) This book is also availablefor purchase online at
http://www.nortonebooks.com/disciplines/Discipline.asp?DiscId=11

Instructional Methods

Instruction includes a variety of methods to accommodate different learning styles.  Methods may include online course content modules and study guides, online discussions, website assignments, and online delivery.

Course requirements and Grade Computation

History 1301 (History of the United States, Part 1), is divided into four units. Each unit consists of the following components:

Assigned Reading from the required textbook: Tindall & Shi: America: A Narrative History (7th ed.)

Course Content Material consisting of an outline and study guide for each chapter.

Discussion questions for all four units will be posted in the Bulletin Board by the instructor. Students are required to select and post an appropriate response to one of several questions and to respond to another student’s post.

An essay response to an outside reading, available through an online link in the course (Units 1-3; please see explanation below)

A timed exam over the assigned material (please see explanations below).

Units 1, 2, & 3 unit will contain a written assignment in which students write short essays based upon readings and/or map assignments listed in the course syllabus and available in the publisher’s online student resource web site at http://www2.wwnorton.com/college/history/america7/ .   These assignments must be created using Microsoft Word and delivered to the instructor through the WebCT dropbox.

The instructor will give a grade update at mid-semester with an opportunity for student feedback.

Hardware & Software Requirements

Exams

Units 1, 2, & 3 will be concluded with a timed 50-question multiple-choice exam.   Exams are available for a limited amount of time as indicated in the course calendar in WebCT.

Unit 4 will include textbook material, course content outline, study guide and discussion questions not covered on Exams for Units 1, 2, & 3.   It will conclude with a comprehensive Final Exam consisting of 100 multiple choice questions covering Chapters 1-18 of the textbook.

Please note:   All exams are open book/open notes and may include material found in the textbook, the course content outline, the study guide, and the publishers’ online student resource materials.

All late work will be penalized by five (5) points per 24 hours after the deadline.

Grading Rubric

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
<60 = F

Course Content

Within a general framework of economic, social, political, and cultural development, the course emphasizes:

Pre-Columbian Period
Age of Discovery and the Colonial Period, 1492-1763
Revolution and Confederation Period, 1763-1789
Early National Period, 1789 -1815
Sectionalism and Expansion, 1815-1865
Crises of the 1850s and Civil War, 1850-1865
Reconstruction and Recovery after the Civil War, 1865-1877

Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the students’ mastery of those outcomes.

 Learning Outcome 1. General Understanding of History

The student will be able to apply knowledge and understanding of economic, social, political, and cultural developments from the Pre-Columbian Period through the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era as a foundation for further education and lifelong learning and to develop civic responsibility.

Performance Objective/Measurement: The student will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of economic, social, political, and cultural developments from the Pre-Columbian Period through the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era through written examinations (objective and/or essay) and additional measures such as writing assignments, presentations, quizzes, and classroom participation in discussions, and group activities.

Learning Outcome 2. Historical Understanding

The student will gain knowledge and understanding of historical events to recognize how past events shape the present.

Performance Objective/Measurement: The student will be able to demonstrate understanding of historical causality and to analyze and evaluate contributions of past cultures/societies to the contemporary world through written examinations (objective and/or essay) and additional measures such as writing assignments, presentations, quizzes, and classroom participation in discussions, and group activities.

Learning Outcome 3. Diversity of Cultures

The student will comprehend the diversity of human experience across a range of historical periods, helping the student reach full potential by developing global awareness.

Performance Objective/Measurement: The student will demonstrate knowledge of diversity and globalism through written examinations (objective and/or essay) and additional measures such as writing assignments, presentations, quizzes, and classroom participation in discussions, and group activities.

College Policies

A. San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B. Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998.

C. ADA Statement: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D. A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E. Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F. Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/ 2000.

G. San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each.
Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W’ (withdraw). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

H. San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I. ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:
ACCD DPS Emergency Phone (210) 222-0911
ACCD DPS General Phone (210) 208-8099
ACCD DPS Weather Phone (210) 208-8189 (For information on college closures)

J. Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin. www.accd.edu/sac/sacmain/schedule/SAC_Bulletin_2007_2008/07_08_bulletin.pdf

Ó        2007 Karen Sebesta and San Antonio College History Department. All rights reserved.  Last update November 2007.