SPRING 2013 – NMSU
I. Course number and name:
HISTORY 201G-M02: Introduction to Early American History
History 201G is a survey of American history from its pre-Columbian origins through the first three-quarters of the 19th Century concluding with the Civil War and the Union occupation of the South. The course will examine and interpret the major social, economic, political, diplomatic, and intellectual/ artistic trends of United States history within this time span. The course has two principal goals: first, to acquaint you with the basics of American history up to 1877; and secondly, to introduce you to the discipline of history, that is, how historians ask and answer questions as well as the sources they use to examine the past.
II. Instructor information:
Name: Dr. D. Schneider
Office: NMSU Main Campus History Department
Room 254A Breland Hall
Office phone: 575-646-4291
E-mail: dschneid@nmsu.edu
(Communications with students will only be through their NMSU E-mail address; Canvas will not be used.)
Office hours: 7:30-8:15 AM – Mon and Wed; and by appointment
Class hours: MWF – 10:30-11:20 AM
Class Location: HA-114
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND UNIT TITLES:
The successful student will:
- Analyze and critically interpret significant primary texts and/or works of art (this includes fine art, literature, music, theatre, and film).
- Compare art forms, modes of thought and expression, and processes across a range of historical periods and /or structures (such as political, geographic, economic, social, cultural, religious, intellectual).
- Recognize and articulate the diversity of human experience across a range of historical periods and/or cultural perspectives.
- Draw on historical and/or cultural perspectives to evaluate any or all of the following: contemporary problems/issues, contemporary modes of expression, and contemporary thought.
III. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND UNIT TITLES (cont):
After successful completion of this course students should be able to analyze:
MesoAmerica, the Old World, and European explorations
European colonization
European imperialism
The New Nation
The Federalist and Democratic-Republicans
Rise of the Common Man
The Social and Economic Developments of Antebellum America
Sectionalism
The Civil War
IV. Evaluation Methods:
Students will be evaluated in intervals to determine their retention and identification of the material through traditional written testing (e.g., multiple choice, matching, short answer essay and/or essay), in-class activities, essays, and/or research projects.
V. TEXT:
This is a lecture and discussion course; therefore, note taking is a must. Tape recording is not allowed. The course and readings are based upon required Devine, Robert A., et.al, American Story Volume I to 1877, 5th ed., Penguin/Person Longman. Reading assignments and lectures constitute the questions for the examinations.
VI. EXAMINATIONS:
There will be four exams. They will consist of fill in the blank, matching, brief identification questions, and essay questions. The final exam is not comprehensive. The final course grade rests upon a cumulative point system. You are permitted to make-up only one exam (you were absent on examination date) during the semester. All make-up exams consist entirely of essay or brief identification questions from assigned readings in the textbook. Instructor approval and arrangement is required for a make-up exam. Test reviews will be provided; however, you will be responsible for all lectures and reading assignments. NOTE: A student who is tardy for a test will not be allowed to take an exam once a student has handed-in his/her paper. NO EXCEPTIONS!! The reason is the test has been compromised. All make-up exams must be scheduled with the instructor.
VII. COURSE GRADES:
A = 400-360 EXAMINATION VALUE: 100 pts each
B = 359-320
C = 319-280
D = 279-240
F = 239-000
VIII. TENTATIVE TEST SCHEDULE:
a. February 13 Chapters
b. March 6 Chapters
c. April 10 Chapters
d. May 6 Chapters
Students are expected to be prepared through review of the text material and review of current materials prior to the lecture.
IX. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
FORMAT: This course is primarily lecture-driven; therefore, note taking is a must. BE ON TIME FOR ALL LECTURES AND EXAMS. CLASS PARTICIPATION IS MANDATORY, IT IS NOT AN OPTION.
Regular attendance is expected; therefore, no points are awarded. The instructor may refuse admittance to any or all students who come late to class. Because this is a lecture driven class it is important for students to attend all class meetings. Class participation is mandatory not optional. Your final letter grade will be lowered by one letter grade if you have four unexcused absences. However, if you have six or more unexcused or excused absences your final grade is an “F” regardless of your test scores. Official documentation is required for your absences. There is a penalty of minus 5 points for each lecture and/or movies missed whether excused or unexcused. All documentation must be given to the professor no later than the third exam date.
X. COURSE CALENDAR – HIST 201G-M02
Each Friday is a discussion day reserved for individual discussions. These individualized discussions will be conducted in the classroom, Hardman Hall, Room 114.
(Except January 18, Course Introduction.)
(Except May 3, 4th EXAM.)
Jan 18 Introduction to the course
21 HOLIDAY (Martin Luther King)
23 Native America
X. COURSE CALENDAR – HIST 201G-M02 (cont)
Jan 25 DISCUSSION
28 Beginning of Europe’s Western Frontier
30 French and Spanish Colonization
Feb 1 DISCUSSION
4 Africa and America
6 The Columbian Exchange
8 DISCUSSION
11 The English Arrive
13 1st EXAM
15 DISCUSSION
18 British America, Immigrants and Slaves
20 Colonial Life
22 DISCUSSION
25 Burdens of Empire
27 Colonial Unrest and The Road to War
Mar 1 DISCUSSION
4 The American Revolution
6 2d EXAM
8 DISCUSSION
11 The New Republic
13 The Constitution
15 DISCUSSION
18 Federalists and Republicans
20 The Jeffersonian Era
22 DISCUSSION
25-29 SPRING BREAK
Apr 1 America’s Second Revolution
3 America’s Second Revolution (cont)
5 DISCUSSION
8 Jacksonian America
10 3d EXAM
12 DISCUSSION
15 America’s Economic Revolution
17 Age of Reforms and Westward Expansion
19 DISCUSSION
22 Mid Century Crisis
24 The Civil War
26 DISCUSSION
29 Aftermath and Reconstruction
X. COURSE CALENDAR – HIST 201G-M02 (cont)
May 1 MAKE-UP EXAM
3 4th EXAM
6 FINAL EXAM 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
XI. POLICY FOR ADD, DROP OR “W” A CLASS:
Spring 2013 deadlines for full semester classes:
Last day to ADD a course by 5 pm January 29
Last
day to CANCEL a course (with 100% refund)
by 5 pm February
1
Last day to DROP a course with a “W” by 5 pm March 12
Last day to withdraw from the university April 19
Students should have some graded work prior to the last day to drop a class.
A point of clarification: If a student drops by 5 pm on the last day to cancel a class – a “W” will not appear on his or her transcript. After that date up to the deadline to drop a course with a “W”, it will appear on his or her transcript and they will not receive a refund of any tuition.
XII. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA):
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cover issues relating to disability and accommodations. If a student has questions or needs an accommodation in the classroom (all medical information is treated confidentially), contact:
Trudy Luken
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) – Corbett Center, Room 244
Phone: 646-6840 E-mail: sas@nmsu.edu
Website: www.nmsu.edu/~ssd/
NMSU policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation and protected veterans status. Furthermore, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment and retaliation. For more information on discrimination issues, Title IX or NMSU’s complaint process contact:
Gerard Nevarez or Austin Diaz
Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) – O’Loughlin House
Phone: 646-3635 E-mail: equity@nmsu.edu
Website: http://www.nmsu.edu/~eeo/
XIII. Academic Courtesy:
All students will maintain academic comportment at all times. Rudeness and/or disrespectfulness towards the professor will result in your involuntary withdrawal from this class.
XIV. Academic Integrity – Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is using another person’s work without acknowledgment, making it appear to be one’s own. Intentional and unintentional instances of plagiarism are considered instances of academic misconduct and are subject to disciplinary action such as failure on the assignment, failure of the course, or dismissal from the university. The NMSU Library has more information and help on how to avoid plagiarism at http://lib.nmsu.edu/plagiarism/.
A note on plagiarism. "Plagiarism . . . includes but is not necessarily limited to submitting examinations, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, undocumented quotations, computer processed materials, or other material as one's own work when such work has been prepared by another person or copied from another person." (NMSU Student Guild). Plagiarism is a serious academic offense; students who intentionally commit plagiarism may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see me if you have any questions concerning plagiarism (e.g., whether you should or should not cite a source in your papers).
Intentional and unintentional plagiarism is prohibited. Please see:
http://www.nmsu.edu/%7Evpsa/SCOC/misconduct.html
XV. Academic Misconduct & Disruptive Behavior:
Any academic or non-academic misconduct will be reported to the appropriate administrative official and adjudicated in accordance with the NMSU Student Code of Conduct.
XVI. Intellectual Property:
Students are not to tape or otherwise record, and/or photograph (including the use of cell phone pictures and videos) course lectures and materials (i.e., slides) without the expressed permission of the instructor. For further information see the NMSU Policy Manual, Section 5.94.11, Instructional Materials.
XVII. Use of Student Work:
NMSU assesses student work each semester to determine whether or not and to what degree student learning outcomes are being met. Student artifacts are assessed anonymously; neither the student nor instructor is identified. Results of assessment projects are reported for entire programs and/or the university as a whole, not for individual students or sections. Outcomes assessment results are used for curricular revision to assure the NMSU courses are effectively accomplishing course, program and university objectives.
XVII. Use of Student Work (cont):
NMSU appreciates your cooperation and participation in assessing student learning. However, if you do not want your work to be considered for random selection, you must notify your instructor in writing before the fifth week of class.
XVIII. Student Concerns:
Students with a concern about the class content, conduct, or instructor are asked to approach the instructor first, then Department Chair, then Division Dean, and then University Administrative Officer (in that order, as required). This will ensure problems or issues can be worked at the lowest level and provide the appropriate level the opportunity to resolve the problem/issue before it is elevated.
XIX. Emergency Alert System (EAS):
The university's new Emergency Alert System, a telephone network for disseminating urgent information on the main campus. The system is being operated and maintained jointly by the campus Police Department, Fire Department, Information and Communication Technologies, and Environmental Health and Safety. Emergency Alert System message can be accessed at: http://www.nmsu.edu/safety/emergency.htm.
XX. NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
SLEEPING IS NOT AN OPTIONAL ACTIVITY DURING LECTURES AND MOVIES.
Please do not ask the professor for copies of lecture notes or test reviews if you miss a class.
NO LAPTOPS WILL BE ALLOWED DURING LECTURES AND MOVIES.
PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT DO NOT SUPPORT YOUR BIOLOGICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM PRIOR TO CLASS LECTURE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS WILL RESULT IN YOUR INVOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL FROM THIS COURSE.
BE ON TIME; IF THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE.
Tape recording is not permitted.
It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the class.
Please do not bring guests to the class without the professor’s approval.
XX. NOTE THE FOLLOWING (cont):
YOU MAY NOT BORROW THE TEXT OR NOTES FROM A CLASSMATE DURING A TEST.
***ALL ITEMS ON THIS SYLLABUS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.***