What does this image say to you? Triumph? Militarism? Sacrifice? Dedication?

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1 Honors HISTORY 101 U.S. History to 1877 M&W 1:00pm What does this image say to you? Triumph? Militarism? Sacrifice? Dedication? It tells me that the human capacity to strive for something better knows no bounds Why ask such a question as you begin this course on American history? The answer is simple. History is really just an examination of how people in our past confronted challenges and responded; nothing more, nothing less. When we study our history, we are seeing how people, just like you and me, made decisions and took actions that challenged and then changed the world around them. Why study history? Personally, I find inspiration in it. I am inspired by individuals who rose above the drudgery of everyday life to do something important, something profound for others. We can be so much more when we push ourselves to go beyond what we are. Look again at the image above. That is a digital image of what is called a chromolithograph. It was a common type of visual image created in the late 1800s. This one in particular was published in 1890 by Louis Kurtz and Alexander Allison. Although not realistic by today s standards, it portrays a romantic vision of an attack on Confederate Fort Wagner that protected the southern approach to Charleston, SC during the Civil War. The Northern forces portrayed are comprised of the 54 th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, one of the first African American units organized by the U.S. government. Although led by white officers, all the enlisted men were free blacks who volunteered to fight against the Confederacy in the hopes of ending slavery in America. Although this attack by the 54 th Massachusetts failed, the bravery shown by these men proved to many that African Americans would play an important part in winning the war for the North, and more importantly, freeing more than four millions slaves. HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 1

2 So as we go forward in our study the next couple weeks, I want you to periodically come back to this image and think about it and what it symbolizes. As we study how people in our past made an impact on the world around them, I hope you will think about how you will make your life meaningful to others. Honors HIS 101: Welcome to this special section of HIS 101. As an honors section, we will do things a little differently than my traditional sections of this course. That DOESN T mean more work. Instead, it means different assignments that will allow you time for deeper exploration. I have removed some assignments, created new ones, and overlaid the course with a broad theme: Natural Rights, America s Independence, and the U.S. Constitution. We will explore early American history, and will endeavor to relate most of the content back to this broad theme. COMPONENTS OF THIS COURSE: I designed this course as both a study of our nation s early history, but also an opportunity to think and talk with your classmates about your role in our world. We all have an opportunity to make a contribution as have Americans in the past. Reading the Books: For almost all class meetings, there will be readings assigned in the textbook (and on some days, there will be additional readings found inside Canvas). It is really important that you hear from people other than me, and these readings will allow you to know the views of other historians and the thoughts & interpretations to those who participated in the events we study. We will also read a historical novel that I believe you will really enjoy. It is fiction, but it is largely based on historical records and provides some key insight into the struggle to declare independence from Great Britain in the 1770s. Taking Notes in Class: The time we spend in class will be a combination of lecture, class discussions, and student presentations. For the lectures, it is vitally important that you take notes and review them often. Yes, you can learn much from listening, but the very process of transferring that information into your own writing (class notes) provides a much stronger way for you to learn and retain new information. If you do both of the above, you will be well on your way to success in this course. Using the two above, we ll need to have ways to show what you ve learned. Right? Here s how we ll do that: Reading Quizzes: Traditionally, this course includes a series of eleven quizzes that are based on the assigned reading. They are given to push students to read, reward those who do, and provide a warning to those who do not. However, this is an HONORS section of HIS 101. I ve chosen to remove the reading quizzes from the list of requirements to allow more time in class. Class Discussions: Approximately nine times during the semester, we will have designated discussions in class. You ll need to prepare for these, and you will get credit for your participation. More details to follow. HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 2

3 Biography Presentations: The theme for this course is Natural Rights, America s Independence, and the U.S. Constitution. As a way of exploring it, each student will make an in-depth study into the life and beliefs of an individual who was prominent in either the Revolutionary Crisis, the establishment of the new United States, or the struggle to change the Constitution as part of the American Civil War. That study will involve three separate assignments, and a short biography is the first of these. Each student will make a five-to-seven minute presentation to the class in which he or she will provide a short biography of a selected individual. The class will then have an opportunity to ask questions and help everyone to place that individual in context and understand how he or she made a significant contribution to the establishment of the United States. More detail will be provided in a separate assignment sheet. Critical Analysis Paper: Using the person you selected for the Biography, you will answer a series of questions. Rather than a traditional term paper, a question and answer format will focus your research and push you to explore the thoughts and beliefs of your subject. More details will be provided in class. Critical Analysis Presentation: To finish the semester, each student will make a presentation. It must focus on the person you wrote about in your paper and should be a summation of the most important points from that paper. This will allow all of us to see the depth of your research on and understanding of that person and then discuss it as a class. Two Traditional Exams: You really didn t think we wouldn t have exams, did you? But I m only going to give two, and they will be NON-CUMMULATIVE. In other words, the first exam will cover the first half of the course, and the second (held during finals week in December), will handle the second half of the course. And I will provide a great many supports to help you prepare and succeed on these exams all you need do is take advantage of those supports. More details to come on this. Okay, that is a basic explanation of what we ll be doing in class. I won t lie to you it will be a lot of work. But I will be right there with you the whole time and I will meet you at least half way. Just work, tell me when something doesn t make sense, and then work some more. If you put forth a good effort for the next 15 weeks, I promise I will give you as much of me as I can to help you succeed. ABOUT YOUR PROFESSOR: Office Hours at Wye Mills: Hi! My name is John Haas and I am an associate professor of American history here at Chesapeake College. I have been teaching college-level history for more than twenty years now and I truly love my work. You will find out a great deal more about me when we meet one another on the first day of class, but I want you to know that I am always here to support your work in this course and at Chesapeake College. If you find you are struggling with the material in this course, please contact me as soon as possible. I can work with you and get you additional assistance as needed. Here is how to contact me: Monday & Wednesday: 8:45am 9:45am Thursday: 1:00pm 4:00pm HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 3

4 Office: C-205C, 2 nd Floor of the Caroline Center, Wye Mills Campus Telephone: , x2330 address: jhaas@chesapeake.edu or use the message function within Canvas Mailbox in C-202 Now that you have a general sense of the course and who I am, let s go into more detail READING ASSIGNMENTS: Specific pages corresponding to each class meeting are assigned for you to read. Details on the course schedule are below. You are expected to read these portions of the books prior to that class period. By doing so, you will have previewed material that will be covered in class, and you will have a framework to place the learning you will do in class. It will also improve your ability to perform well on the reading quizzes, effectively take notes, contribute to class discussions, and study outside of class. Remember what I said above: reading sets you up for success in all the other components of the course. This is really important! EXAMS: Each exam will consist of two parts: short answers and essay questions. For the short answer section, you will write one to two paragraphs about an important person, event, or trend. Ten will be given, and you will choose five to answer. Each answer will be evaluated on properly identifying the item and explaining its historical significance. Two weeks prior to each exam, you will receive a selection of essay questions (usually eight) from which three will appear on the actual exam. The role of an essay is not to surprise, but to examine your ability to create a coherent argument, well supported with details. The second exam will include an additional essay question that all students are required to answer. More information on the format will be provided in class. PRIMARY READINGS: In addition to the Introduction to American History text and the Shaara novel, you will read a variety of primary documents from the time periods covered by this course. Primary documents are those written by people who lived at the time and had first-hand knowledge of events. Numerous times during the semester, you are assigned a section from that book. Since it is vitally important to read the documents before the discussion, one class period prior to the discussion session, you will be given a response assignment. Each of you will write out and complete it before the next class session. This completed assignment will act as a ticket of admission to the discussion. Those who have not completed it will be excused and receive no credit for that discussion session. I will give more information in class concerning this component of the course. Students regularly tell me that this is one of their favorite parts of the course. I think you will get a kick out of reading these first-hand accounts and then discussing them with your classmates. WORKLOAD IN THIS COURSE: This is a General Education and College Transfer course. As such, the academic rigor of this course is high. In order to successfully complete the assignments and study for exams and quizzes, HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 4

5 students are expected to do a minimum of two to three hours of work outside of class for every hour in class. Some assignments may require more time. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The final grade for this course is based on the following components: 20% - Critical Analysis Paper 15% - Critical Analysis Presentation 20% - Exam #1 20% - Exam #2 10% - Short Biography Presentation 15% - Class Discussions EXTRA CREDIT: No extra credit is available in this course. If you are struggling with the work already assigned, does it make sense to provide you more work? As an alternative, I will provide additional assistance to all who are not achieving their goals in the course. ATTENDANCE POLICY AND CLASSROOM DECORUM: You are expected to attend ALL classes and are responsible for all classwork, homework, lecture notes and reading assignments, whether present or absent. Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class period and all students are expected to be on time. In order to provide everyone an opportunity to learn, courteous and attentive behavior is expected at all times. Anyone who is disruptive in class will be dismissed and subject to discipline in accordance with the Chesapeake College Student Code of Conduct. The rest of what is included in this syllabus is more formal and needs to be included for a number of reasons. HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 5

6 CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE Fall 2015 Semester Wye Mills Campus HIS 101: United States History I (3 credit hours) A survey of colonial America and United States history through Political, economic, social, and cultural factors that have shaped the pattern of life in the United States through reconstruction are covered. 3 credits. Section 101, Monday and Wednesday, 1:00 pm 2:15 pm Room: C-214, Caroline Center on the Wye Mills Campus REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: Farmer, Brian, et al. Introduction to American History. Vol. I, eighth edition. Redding, CA: BVT Publishing, [This is a Textbook Plus version] The ISBN number for the required text book for this class is If you receive financial aid that exceeds the cost of tuition and fees, you may have a credit at the oncampus Barnes and Noble bookstore to assist with the cost of course-related materials. Shaara, Jeff. Rise to Rebellion. New York: Ballantine Books, ISBN number for this book is It is a small paperback that you can find in the college bookstore for under $10. Additional Readings will be provided by the professor through the course site. You should purchase your copy of the text and the Shaara book as soon as possible. Students will be required to read both in order to participate successfully in the course. COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. To acquaint the student with a basic survey of United States History through Reconstruction. 2. To equip the student and the community for civil social and political discourse. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR HIS 101: At the completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Analyze the meaning and context of historical events and processes in American history, demonstrated in an essay form. 2. Through reading primary documents, interpret the meaning of those writings and advocate your view of that meaning. 3. Describe important people, terms, events, and processes in America s past. GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES FOR HIS 101: This course should increase a student s skills and knowledge: communicate in oral and written English; HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 6

7 read with comprehension; think critically; recognize and appreciate cultural diversity; demonstrate information literacy; apply technology to learning; and apply knowledge and skills to foster ethical behavior. CELL PHONES As a matter of courtesy and respect to both the professor and fellow students, all cell phones (not just ringers) are to be turned completely OFF during class. If there is an emergency situation in your family that requires you to be in contact during class, please talk to the professor before class to make arrangements. Texting during class disturbs your professor as well as fellow students and will not be permitted. Those who violate this guideline may be dismissed from class. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE: If you find that you are struggling with any element of this course, please see me as soon as possible. I will be happy to work with you to discuss study habits and reading strategies. I may be able to make some useful suggestions. In addition, I can work with the Academic Support Center to seek tutoring assistance for you as well. Please do not give up on this course until you speak with me first. My role at Chesapeake College is to help you find success and provide you the tools to achieve your goals. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a disability that may prevent you from fully demonstrating your abilities in this class, you should contact Judy Gordon in room L-135 in the Library. Judy can discuss the possibility of an accommodations plan with you to insure full participation and achievement of your educational goals. ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN: In the event that Chesapeake College needs to close for an extended period of time due to a flu pandemic, severe weather event, or other emergency situation, consideration will be given to the timing and duration of the closure as follows: 1. Closure during the semester for up to one week there will be an opportunity to make up work missed without significant alteration to the semester calendar. 2. Closure extending beyond one week (or in situations where classes are cancelled on the same days/evenings over multiple weeks) the College may extend the length of the semester. Depending on the timing of the closure, scheduled breaks, end of semester dates, and/or the processing of final grades might be impacted. Students can acquire information about closures on the College website or by calling or Chesapeake College courses held at off campus sites will follow the protocol of the host facility. HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 7

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9 History HONORS United States History I COURSE SCHEDULE Fall 2015 DATE TOPIC ASSIGNED READINGS OTHER ASSIGNMENTS 8/24 Introduction to HIS 101 Honors 8/26 European Exploration Farmer: p Shaara: xi-24 8/31 Introduction to Library Research Shaara: /2 The Early Chesapeake Colonies Farmer: p , 39-53, Online Readings 1 Shaara: /7 Labor Day Holiday No Classes 9/9 The New England Colonies Farmer: Shaara: /14 The Middle Colonies Farmer: Shaara: /16 Colonial Development in the 18 th Century Farmer: p , Online Readings 2 Shaara: /21 The Revolutionary Crisis Farmer: , Online Readings 3 Shaara: /23 The War for Independence Biography Presentations Farmer: The Declaration of Independence Shaara: /28 Rise to Rebellion Possible Exam #1 Essays Distributed Shaara: /30 Rise to Rebellion Shaara: /5 America Begins to Rule Itself Research Bibliographies Due Farmer: , Biography Presentations The U.S. Constitution 10/7 The New Constitution Biography Presentations Farmer: Research Bibliographies Returned Online Readings 4 HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 9

10 10/12 Exam #1 10/14 Federalists in Power Annotated Bibliographies Due Farmer: Online Readings 5 10/19 Jefferson: Visionary and Pragmatist Annotated Bibliographies Returned Farmer: Online Readings 6 10/21 A Second War for Independence Farmer: /26 Andrew Jackson Becomes President Critical Analysis Paper DRAFT Due Farmer: Online Readings 7 10/28 Religion & Reform in America Critical Analysis Papers Returned Farmer: , Online Readings 8 11/2 Manifest Destiny and the Texas Republic Farmer: , /4 The Mexican War Farmer: Online Readings 9 11/9 Slavery and the Old South Farmer: /11 Abolitionism and the Politics of Slavery Farmer: , Online Readings 10 11/ : A Nation Out of Control Critical Analysis Paper FINAL Due Farmer: Possible Exam #2 Essays Distributed Online Readings 11 11/18 Outbreak of the American Civil War Critical Analysis Papers Returned Farmer: , Online Readings 12 & 13 11/23 Impact of the American Civil War Farmer: /25 Thanksgiving Holiday Break No Classes 11/30 Reconstruction: Restoring the Union Critical Analysis Presentations Farmer: Online Readings 14 12/2 Make-Up Day Critical Analysis Presentations 12/9 Exam #2 (12:30-2:30pm) PLEASE NOTE: Should change become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the requirements, pace, or scheduling of this course. Any change will be announced in class before it becomes effective. HIS Honors Syllabus Fall 2015 Page 10