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Welcome to COURSE SYLLABUS Fall 2009 |
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THIS CLASS |
Class meets
Mondays & Wednesdays, 12 - 1:15 pm at Pinnacle
Campus (PIN) Room 411. Students are
expected to arrive on time. Computers, cell phones and beepers are not
permitted in the classroom. See Dr. Thomas for exceptions to this policy.
Taking notes is required. Tape recording
the lectures is permitted. PLEASE NOTE: I do not use Blackboard so this class will NOT appear
on your Blackboard class list.
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YOUR PROFESSOR |
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Mailing Address: |
Office Hours/Phone/email: |
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Dr.
T. Thomas |
M
& W 9-10:30 am & 1:30 – 3:30 pm and by appointment |
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ACC
- History |
at
PIN, Room 815 |
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7748
Hwy 290 West |
email:
tmthomas@austincc.edu * |
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phone
& voicemail: 223-8164 |
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Website: www.austincc.edu/tmthomas |
fax:
223-8900 |
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Non-Urgent
message: 223-8164 Urgent message: call Division Office 223-8132 |
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A NOTE ABOUT EMAIL |
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I will reply to ALL emails, usually during regular office hours.
If you send me an email, please type something in the
"Subject" space, such as "History course". If you leave the
Subject blank, I will automatically delete your email as spam ("junk"
email).
Also, in your email message, please give your first AND last name - as I
cannot always tell by your email address what your NAME is.
I answer EVERY email. If you do NOT get a reply, please assume I never
got your email and - either email me again - or CALL me. You can leave a voice
message at 223-8164. For URGENT
messages, call the History Division Office at 223-8132 OR History Dept Chair,
Dr. Purcell at 223-3398.
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THIS COURSE |
COURSE
OBJECTIVE & RATIONALE: This course will acquaint you with the basic
processes of United States History from about 1492 to 1877, using a textbook, classroom
instruction, historical documents, and multimedia techniques. Although the
coverage of the material is comprehensive, there will be an emphasis on social
and cultural history. It is essentially a lecture course, but will incorporate
frequent class discussions. This course emphasizes analytical reading and
analytical thinking skills. This course fulfills the Texas Legislative
requirement for one semester of U.S. History.
PREREQUISITES: In order to achieve
success in this course, you need to be able to read in English at about the
12th grade comprehension and vocabulary level. If you cannot yet read at about
this level, I recommend you first take developmental reading courses to improve your
reading skills, THEN come back and take this course.
Please note that
you can take History 1 and History 2 in ANY order. You do NOT have to take
History 1 (HIST 1301) before you take History 2 (HIST 1302).
COURSE
ORGANIZATION:
The course
is divided into five units, with each unit covering 3 or 4 textbook chapters.
Please note that the first exam is a Map Test, discussed in more detail in the
"Exams" section of this syllabus.
For each unit,
there are study questions. The study questions are
distributed by Dr. Thomas on the first day of class and are also available to
download from Dr. Thomas' website. At the end of each unit, an examination will
be administered in class. The exam questions will be taken from class lecture,
the study questions, and the textbook.
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TEXTBOOK |
REQUIRED: James
Roark et al, The American Promise, Volume 1, Fourth edition.
It is your responsibility to locate and purchase a copy of the textbook. I recommend you purchase the textbook BEFORE
the course begins so that you will have it on
the first day of the semester.
There
are THREE VERSIONS of the textbook. You
may choose to purchase ANY one of these three:
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VERSION |
WHERE
TO PURCHASE |
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ISBN
# 0-312-45292-6 Full color paperback for about $90
new (used versions for less $ are also available) |
Full
color paperback. Available at ACC bookstores and other When
purchased NEW, it is the most expensive version (about $90). It includes full
color maps and pictures. You might be able to locate a USED copy for less
money, at ACC Bookstores and elsewhere. |
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ISBN
# 0-312-48946-3
Black and white paperback for about $35 new. It is called the “value
edition”. |
Paperback,
with black and white photos. Available at various bookstores, including
online. Also available directly from the publisher for $34.95 at http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/?isbn=9780312489465 (Click on “Buy this book”) NOT
available at ACC bookstores, but it MAY be available at OTHER local
bookstores. This is a less expensive version, since the photos are black and
white. |
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Electronic
book (E-book) – same as the paper copy of the textbook, but accessible ONLY
online for about $45. |
ELECTRONIC
book, available ONLINE from the publisher at http://ebooks.bfwpub.com/tap4v1.php
$44.95 for a one year subscription (one year access from date of purchase).
Comes with a companion book of primary source documents that is NOT required
for this course, but may be of interest to you. The companion e-book is entitled Reading the American Past. |
OPTIONAL: John Trimble, Writing
with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing. ISBN # 013025713. This
small, inexpensive book is especially helpful for those who plan to write a
research paper. You are not required to purchase this reference book.
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OPTIONAL VIDEOTAPES |
Attending class,
& reading and studying the textbook are essential for success in this
course. However, you may also benefit from viewing videotapes designed
specifically for HIST 1301. There are 26 half-hour videotapes in a series
entitled "Shaping America". They're available in every ACC library -
you can view them in the library or check them out for viewing at home. You can
also view them via the ACC cable channels on Time Warner and other cable
companies in the area. The viewing schedule is online at ACC's Open Campus website. Click on
"Instructional Television" link.
The videos are
not required for the course, but you may find them helpful in reinforcing the
concepts you learn in class or in reading the text.
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ATTENDANCE |
You are expected
to attend class and to arrive on time.
The most successful students in this course are those who attend class.
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PROCEDURES FOR WITHDRAWING FROM THE COURSE |
If you find that
you are unable to meet course requirements, you should withdraw from the course
to avoid any possibility of being assigned a failing grade. Withdrawal is
accomplished by completing a withdrawal form available at the Admissions and
Records on any ACC Campus (first floor at PIN Campus). It is your
responsibility to obtain and complete the withdrawal form. The deadline for
withdrawing is [date To Be Announced].. You can withdraw ON
[date To Be Announced].
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STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES |
ACC is committed
to providing students with disabilities an equal opportunity to access
benefits, rights, and privileges of college services, programs, and activities
in compliance with state and federal law. Students with disabilities must
request reasonable accommodations through ACC's Office of Students with Disabilities. OSD offices are located
on each of the ACC campuses. Students are encouraged to do this before the
semester begins. Please let me know as soon as possible how I can accommodate
your special needs in this class.
Link to all student services at ACC
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YOUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY |
In compliance
with the Family Education Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974, I will not give information concerning your
grades, academic progress, attendance, address, phone, or email address to
anyone (including your parents) unless you give your written permission. In
addition, I will not give grade information over the phone or by email.
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FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION |
The free exchange
of ideas is vital to learning. Your comments and ideas, if expressed
respectfully, will be met with respect from your colleagues and your
professor. You are encouraged to ask
questions and to contribute to class discussions.
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HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKING THIS COURSE |
This is a college
course and all students enrolled in this course will be treated as college students.
If you are taking this course, you are considered a college student. Unless there is an emergency, I
will not speak to, nor will I correspond with your parents. If there are any
absences, problems or issues, you need to
speak with me or correspond with me yourself.
All sections of
this syllabus and orientation pertain equally to all students in this course,
regardless of age or educational status. Regardless of their age, high school
students who are enrolled in a college course are protected by Family Education Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974, In compliance with this Act, I will not discuss
your grades or your academic progress with your parent(s).
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SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY |
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WARNING: Any type of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any act of plagiarism and/or other type of academic dishonesty will result in you receiving the grade of "F" for the course |
Academic dishonesty
– cheating - is defined as fraud, deceit, or dishonesty in an academic
assignment. It includes:
- Copying or attempting to copy from others during an examination or
for an assignment;
- Communicating examination information to, or receiving such
information from, another person during an examination;
- Violating
- Using, attempting to use, or assisting others in using materials
that are prohibited during examination in question, such as: books, Web
sites, prepared answers, written notes, or concealed information;
- Allowing others to do one's assignment or a portion of one's
assignment or using a commercial term paper service
- Purchasing or otherwise acquiring written work that is not your own
Plagiarism is defined as using
another's work (whether printed, electronic, or spoken) without crediting him
or her. All of the following are considered plagiarism:
- turning in someone else's work as your own
- copying words or ideas from someone else
without giving credit
- failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
- giving incorrect information about the source
of a quotation
- changing words but copying the sentence
structure of a source without giving credit
- copying so many words or ideas from a source
that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not
(see our section on "fair use" rules)
- above definitions copied &/or adapted
from http://www.laspositascollege.edu/facultystaff/honesty.php
and
from http://www.plagiarism.org/learning_center/what_is_plagiarism.html)
Any act of
plagiarism or other type of academic dishonesty will result in you receiving
the grade of "F" for the course.
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YOUR GRADE AND HOW YOU EARN IT |
The quality and quantity
of the work YOU do determines YOUR final grade.
There usually are no “extra credit” opportunities in this course.
For
the grade of "A" you must have an overall exam/research assignment average of
80% or above AND submit an acceptable Book Analysis. IMPORTANT:
You must complete an acceptable Book
Analysis in order to be eligible for an A in this course.
For
the grade of "B" you must have an overall exam/ research assignment average of
80% or above.
For
the grade of "C" you will have an overall exam/ research assignment average of
70% - 79%.
For
the grade of "D" you will have an overall exam/ research assignment average of
60% - 69%.
For
the grade of "F" you will have an overall exam/ research assignment average
below 60%.
For
the grade of "I" (Incomplete), you must have a medical excuse certified by a
physician, sent to Dr. Thomas no later than December 7th, AND you must have
completed and passed at least 3 exams.
IMPORTANT:
If your "Incomplete" is not completed by Spring 2010 semester, your
"I” grade will automatically become an "F" on your transcript.
It is your responsibility to complete the course in time to avoid the
"F".
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EXAMS |
There are five
unit exams, each consisting of 30 multiple choice questions (no essay questions).
You must take all five exams in order to receive credit for this course.
Test questions
are taken from class lecture, the textbook and the Study
Guide.
The first exam is
a Map Test that evaluates your knowledge of
Questions on the
remaining four exams are much more challenging than the Map Test - and
so require much more effort.
Exams are graded
on a numbered scale with 100% being the highest grade, and anything below 60%
considered a failing grade. Failure to
take an exam results in a zero for that exam.
MAKE-UP
EXAM:
Make-up exams are given ONLY for DOCUMENTED medical reasons. Make-up exams are
given ONLY within one week of the scheduled exam date. It is your
responsibility to arrange a make-up exam with Dr. Thomas.
RE-TEST: If you score below 70% on
an exam the first time it is given (in class), you may take a Re-test. You may
retest ONLY on Unit Exams 1 through 4. Retests are taken in the
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SHORT RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS |
On a regular
basis, Dr. Thomas will assign short research assignments. In order to get credit for the assignment, you
must be in class to get the assignment and you must be in class the day the
assignment is due. These assignments
will be graded and at the end of the semester, these assignments will be
averaged and together will count as one test grade. Make-up assignments are
given ONLY for DOCUMENTED medical reasons and must be completed within 2 days
of the assignment due date.
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BOOK ANALYSIS - DUE Nov 30th |
Do
this assignment ONLY if:
you hope to earn an "A" for the course AND
you have an overall exam/short research assignment average
of 90% or above
ASSIGNMENT:
Read a book from the approved list and answer the
questions from the Book Analysis
Questions below. Your finished product will be a series of typewritten
questions and answers. Your assignment will probably be about 7 to
10 pages in length.
APPROVED BOOK LIST:
Any book listed in the Bibliography Section at the end of each chapter in the
textbook – or any book from the list at:
http://www.austincc.edu/history/1301booklist
FORMAT:
Your Book Analysis must:
be
typed and double-spaced
be
in Question/Answer format (that is, make sure you type
EACH question, then your answer immediately following)
include
ALL questions and answers from Book
Analysis Questions below
If you quote
from your book, please put quotation marks around the quote and put the page
number in parentheses after the quote.
GRADING:
The
Book Analysis will be graded "ACCEPTABLE" or "NOT
ACCEPTABLE". Only "ACCEPTABLE" writing assignments will be
counted towards the grade of "A". You will be graded on (1) the
thoughtfulness and thoroughness of your answers; and (2) on your ability
to follow directions. Please contact the instructor if you have any
questions concerning the assignment.
You
may turn in your paper early (by Nov 23rd). If there are any problems with it,
I will give it back to you to correct.
DUE DATE: Monday, Nov 30th at start of class.
BOOK ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Read
the questions carefully then give complete
answers to each of the following. TYPE the QUESTION (you may abbreviate the
question), then type your answer. Your finished paper will be a series of
questions & answers.
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1. |
General Information |
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book title: Book titles are always either underlined or italicized.
Examples: Reconstruction: or Reconstruction: |
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author: |
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publisher & year first published: |
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in general, what is the book about (3 - 5 sentences giving basic information such as who, what, when, where)? |
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2. |
PREFACE |
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What does the author say in the Preface (in a few sentences, summarize the Preface)? If no Preface, then use the "Introduction". |
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3. |
THESIS |
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In the Introduction
or the first chapter, the author usually says what he/she will be trying to
prove in the book; that is, what the book will prove to the reader about a
particular topic. List and
Discuss
each of the points that the author will try to prove in the book (major and
minor points. These are usually stated either in the Introduction or in
the first chapter; but sometimes they are discussed throughout the book). Your answer may begin with "In this book, the author hopes to prove that......." and then discuss the several points that the author hopes to prove about the subject of the book. |
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4. |
INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS' ANALYSIS |
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Please give the following information for any THREE chapters from the book: |
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Chapter Number ?
and Title. Type chapter titles in quotation marks. For example: Chapter 1: " |
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1. In one short paragraph, summarize the chapter (a good summary gives the reader basic information, such as WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY. Think of how you would summarize the plot of a movie to a friend who has not seen the movie ) |
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2. what was the
main idea that the author was trying to get across in this
chapter ? what does the author hope to PROVE in this chapter. (Hint: Look
at the chapter title.) Your answer may
begin "In this chapter, the author hopes to prove that......" Example: "In this chapter, the author asserts that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves (with the Emancipation Proclamation) because of political, not humanitarian, reasons." |
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3. in your own words, restate the argument that the author used to prove the main idea (what did the author argue, in order to convince you that his/her main idea was correct) |
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4. what type of
source or what type of evidence would have made the author's
argument/main idea more convincing? (Don't say "the argument was
convincing enough".) On a book about slave life, an example might be "If the author had letters or diaries written by slaves, his argument about slave life would have been stronger." |
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5. discuss
the conclusions at which the author arrives at the end of the
chapter. (Hint: the conclusions usually are related to the Main Points.) I
don't want to know what HAPPENED; I want to know what the author CONCLUDES
about what happened. For example
"The author concludes that the accusations of witchcraft in |
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6. cite one primary
source footnote from this chapter (a Primary Source is something written by
someone at that time in history; such as a diary, a letter, a piece of
legislation, a tax record; a deed; a business ledger; newspapers) Cite the
source. For example, your citation might look like this: "Custer
Defeated at Little Big Horn," The New York Times, April 14, 1876. or Jennifer Jones, ed., Diary of Anne Frank, 4th edition (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1977). |
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7. cite one secondary
source footnote from this chapter (a secondary source is one written by
someone at a later date; usually a book or article by a historian about that
historical event) Cite the secondary source; that is, make it look like a
footnote (i.e., author, title, publisher, place and date of publication).
Your citation should look something like this: Michael Smith, Witchcraft
in the Later Middle Ages (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1980). or Julia Juarez, "Mayan Hieroglyphs Decoded," Journal of Latin American History (June 1994), pp. 366-396. |
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Now that you have completed answering questions for three individual
chapters, please answer the following questions regarding the entire book:
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5. |
Overall Conclusions |
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List and discuss at least 3 conclusions at which the author arrives. These are usually found in the concluding chapter, and are usually related to the points the author sought to prove throughout the book. |
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6. |
Sources |
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A. |
List 5 of the
periodicals that the author cites in his/her Bibliography or in the Footnotes.
(Periodicals are newspapers, magazines, & professional journals). Just
list the periodical by name - you do not have to cite the entire article. How
do you know which items are periodicals? Hint: Periodical
titles are italicized, so look in the footnotes and bibliography for
items that are italicized and find the items that are newspaper titles or
professional journal titles.* Here are some examples: Journal of
Early American History American
Historical Review Latin
American Research Review William
& Mary Quarterly The New York
Times Austin
American-Statesman Ladies' Home
Journal Psychology
Today * Remember that book titles are also italicized - so learn to distinguish between books and periodicals. Periodicals will usually have a volume number or date, but not a publisher's name. Books will have a publisher, publication place and publication date. |
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B. |
List three types of primary sources the author uses (e.g., letters, diaries, journals, interviews, legislation). |
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C. |
If you were writing a history book about some subject in the past, WHY would it benefit from using PRIMARY sources (letters, diaries, etc. from that time period)? |
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D. |
If you were writing a history book, what might be a problem in using primary sources? |
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E. |
List 3 books that deal with the same subject matter as your book. Give author, title, place of publication, publisher, and date of publication - just as this information would appear in a footnote. Hint: use the "subject search" feature of the library's computerized card catalog to find these books. |
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F. |
List 3 articles
(from scholarly publications or newspapers) that deal with the same
subject matter as your book. Give author, title of article, publication
in which article appears, date of publication, and page numbers - just as
this information would appear in a footnote. Hint: do a subject search in an
on-line "periodicals index" to find articles. On ACC's library
webpage, there is a link to various periodicals indexes. Choose "social
and behavioral sciences" category and then do a subject search. For
example, if your book was about the |
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7. |
Your impressions |
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A. |
what did you like best about the book? what did you like least about the book? |
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B. |
did you feel that the author was biased in presenting the subject matter? How so? |
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C. |
List 3 facts
that you learned from the book. An example of a "fact" is:
"George Washington was the only president unanimously elected".
(list 3 FACTS, not "impressions" or interpretations) An example of
an "impression" (or "interpretation") is: "George Washington was the best military commander of all time." |
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D. |
how does our
textbook’s treatment of the topic compare with the author’s treatment of the
topic (list and discuss at least 3
similarities and 3 differences)? Discuss content, not form or
format. DON'T say:
"The book gave a more in-depth view of DO say:
"My book discussed |
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E. |
would you recommend the book to someone else? Why or why not? |
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F. |
if you could
write a book on some historical topic, what topic would you choose, and why? You are DONE!! |
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HINTS, TIPS & ADVICE |
These have worked for other students:
TEST-TAKING: Read each question very carefully and
completely; know what the question is asking. Read each response.
Eliminate responses that you know are wrong. When you have completed the
exam, go over it again and verify your answers. Answer the questions you know
first, then go back and answer the rest.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: Proofread all your typed assignments for typos,
misspellings, incorrect grammar, etc. These types of errors seriously detract
from the quality of your writing assignment. Read the assignment instructions before
you begin the assignment. If you plan to take more college courses in the
future, you may wish to purchase an excellent, short guide to writing by John
Trimble, Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing.
STUDY GROUPS: When possible, get together with 2 - 3 other
students and form a study group. Work together to complete the Study Questions,
compare answers, quiz each other. Study groups are a proven, effective means of
attaining success in a course.
SPECIAL NEEDS: Please inform Dr. Thomas in advance if you require
a special testing consideration or any in-class accommodation. For example, a
large-print exam and large-print class materials will be provided for you if
you have a sight impairment.
YOUR PROFESSOR: Do not hesitate to consult with Dr. Thomas if
you have any questions, doubts or uncertainties. Call, email, or stop by during
office hours or make an appointment. Seek help early in the semester;
don’t wait until the end of the semester to ask for help.
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SEMESTER
SCHEDULE – FALL 2009 (subject to change at Dr. Thomas’ discretion; changes will be announced in class) |
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Aug 24 |
Introduction/Syllabus |
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Aug 26 |
Europeans and
the |
Chapter 2 |
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Aug 31 |
Europeans and
the |
Chapter 2 |
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Sep 2 |
The Southern Colonies in the 17th century |
Chapter 3 |
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Sep 7 |
LABOR DAY – no class |
College Closed |
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Sep 9 |
UNIT 1 MAP TEST |
See STUDY GUIDE |
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Sep 9 - 14 |
The Northern Colonies in the 17th century |
Chapter 4 |
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Sep 16 |
Colonial |
Chapter 5 |
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Sep 21 |
UNIT 2 EXAM |
CHAPTERS 2 - 5 |
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Sep 23 – Sep 28 |
The |
Chapter 6 |
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Sep 30 - Oct 5 |
The War for |
Chapter 7 |
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Oct 7 - 12 |
Building a Republic |
Chapter 8 |
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Oct 14, 19,
21 |
CAMPUS CLOSED |
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Oct 26 |
Building a
Republic |
Chapter 8 |
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Oct 28 |
The New Nation
takes Form |
Chapter 9 |
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Nov 2 |
UNIT 3 EXAM |
CHAPTERS 6 - 9 |
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Nov 4 |
Republicans in Power |
Chapter 10 |
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Nov 9 |
The Expanding Republic |
Chapter 11 |
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Nov 11 |
The New West
& Free North |
Chapter 12 |
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Nov 16 |
The Slave South |
Chapter 13 |
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Nov 18 Nov 23 - 25 |
UNIT 4 EXAM The House Divided |
CHAPTERS 10 – 13 Chapter 14 |
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Nov 30 |
Book Analysis Assignment Due at start of class |
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Nov 30 - Dec 2 |
The Crucible of War |
Chapter 15 |
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Dec 7 |
Reconstruction |
Chapter 16 |
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Dec 9 |
UNIT 5 EXAM |
CHAPTERS 14 - 16 |