HST 201G: INTRODUCTION TO EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY
MR. VERSER
Email: gpverser@nmsu.edu
Office Hours: T&Th 8:00-10:00 & 11:45-12:45 Office Number: Breland 231
Description: HST 201G: Introduction to Early American History
This course is a survey of the economic, social and diplomatic aspects of the historical development of the United States from 1492 to the era of Reconstruction. A biographical study of a notable person is also included.
Texts: Boyer, et. al. Enduring Vision, Vol. I 6th edition, Houghton Mifflin, 2008.
Ellis, Joseph J. His Excellency George Washington, Vintage Books, 2004.
Purpose of Course: To enable students to learn about their legacy from the historical past of the United States. This should assist them in relating the present to the past so as to see how the present came to be as it is today. The course should prepare students to be informed and conscientious citizens, to help them compare this country and its values and experiences with those of other countries, and to begin to see themselves as an integral link between the historical past and the anticipated future of this nation.
Tests: There are 4 tests worth a total of 880 points. A short review will be offered for each exam. Extra credit is available based upon films or outside readings. Tests are MC, matching, & short answer & partial credit is awarded for reasonably correct answers. You must also bring a photo id to each test.
Biography/Papers: You need to leisurely read Ellis’s biography of George Washington. Every three weeks you will need to submit a handwritten summary of 2 pages or more covering the life and experiences of the first US president. These 4 summaries are worth 120 points.
Grading Scale: Points Grade
900 – 1000 = A
800 – 894 = B
700 – 794 = C
600 – 694 = D
0 – 594 = F
Attendance: I will drop any student missing 2 full weeks of class (4 consecutive meetings). Otherwise attendance works on a positive/negative point system. At the beginning of the semester you are allotted 30 free bonus points. Each absence will deduct 15 bonus points from this total. Once you reach your third absence 15 points will be deducted from your overall semester grade. So, each time you miss class, beginning with your third absence, 15 additional points will be subtracted from your final course point total. It is your responsibility to sign the attendance sheet. Attendance may be taken every day, or periodically, as I see fit.
Tardiness: If you miss more than 20 minutes of class you will be counted as absent (Arriving late or leaving early). If you arrive to class after another individual completes their test, you will not be able to take the test and a make-up will not be provided.
Make-up and late work: Make-ups are allowed in the event of sickness, death in the family, or absence owing to a university sanctioned event. A doctor’s notice or program will be due the first day of your return. All make-up tests will be essay exam only except for those individuals excused by the University. It would be in your best interest not to miss a scheduled test.
Extra-credit work: There will be an extra credit opportunity on each test based upon movies viewed in class, optional readings, or outside assignments to be determined as the semester progresses.
Academic Honesty: These activities will not be tolerated: Use of any aids during a test, submitting work completed by another individual (plagiarism), or cheating during an exam. Violation of the NMSU’s academic honesty policy is not limited to this list. Please refer to the student conduct section of the Student Handbook as a guideline. The first violation of the academic honesty policy will result on a 0 F grade on that test or paper. The second violation will result in an F in the course and possible disciplinary action by the university.
Discrimination/Disabilities: Feel free to call Jerry Nevarez, Director of Institutional Equity, at 505-646-3635 with any questions you may have about NMSU's Non-Discrimination Policy and complaints of discrimination, including sexual harassment.
Please call Michael Armendariz, Coordinator of Services for Studentswith Disabilities, at 505-646-6840 with any questions you may have on student issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. All medical information will be treated confidentially.
Schedule of Readings and Tests
TH August 23rd - Introduction & Read G. Washington (Preface & Chapter 1)
- Native Peoples to 1500 (2-21)
TU August 28th - Native Peoples to 1500 continued…
- Rise of the Atlantic World 1400-1625 (22-51)
TH August 30th - Rise of the Atlantic World 1400-1625 continued…
TU September 4th - Emergence of Colonial Societies 1625-1700 (52-85)
TH September 6th - Bonds of Empire 1660-1750 (86-119)
TU September 11th - SUMMARY PAPER 1 DUE (30 Points)
- Bonds of Empire continued…
TH September 13th - Movie (Tentative)
- Test Review
TU September 18th - TEST I (220 Points)
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TH September 20th - Roads to Revolution 1750-1776 (120-155)
- Read G. Washington (Chapters 2-3)
TU September 25th - Roads to Revolution 1750-1776 continued…
TH September 27th - Securing Independence 1776-1788 (156-189)
TU October 2nd - Securing Independence 1776-1788 continued…
TH October 4th - Launching the New Republic 1789-1800 (190-219)
TU October 9th - SUMMARY PAPER 2 DUE (30 Points)
- Jeffersonianism 1801-1824 (220-247)
TH October 11th - Jeffersonianism 1801-1824 continued…
- Test Review
TU October 16th - TEST II (220 points)
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TH October 18th - Transformation of Society 1815-1840 (248-277)
- Read G. Washington (Chapters 4-5)
TU October 23rd - Politics, Religious Revival, & Reform 1824-1840 (278-309)
TH October 25th - Politics, Religious Revival, & Reform 1824-1840 continued…
TU October 30th - Technology, Culture, & Everyday Life 1840-1860 (310-335)
TH November 1st - Technology, Culture, & Everyday Life 1840-1860 continued…
TU November 6th - SUMMARY PAPER 3 DUE (30 Points)
- The Old South & Slavery 1830-1860 (336-367)
TH November 8th - Movie (Tentative)
- Test Review
TU November 13th - TEST III (220 points)
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TH November 15th - Immigration, Expansion, & Conflict 1840-1848 (368-395)
- Read G. Washington (Chapter 6-7)
(Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class Nov. 19-23)
TU November 27th - From Compromise to Secession 1850-1861 (396-423)
TH November 29th - From Compromise to Secession continued…
TU December 4th - SUMMARY PAPER 4 DUE (30 Points)
- Civil War 1861-1865 (424-465)
TH December 6th - Crises of Reconstruction (466-499)
- Test Review
TH December 13th - TEST IV (220 points)
(3:30pm-5:30pm)
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