History 162a
  Spring 2008

Hopkins Center 211
Class meets TTh: 9:30-10:50 am

Light T. Cummins, Sherman Hall 124

lcummins@austincollege.edu

History 162 will survey the history of the United States from the colonization of North America to the Era of Reconstruction. The class will move rapidly through the study of successive historical periods. Each student has the opportunity to have a greater in depth understanding of some aspect of the American past through detailed reading. The course should provide an understanding of American history for those who are non-majors. It will also provide a useful introduction to historical perspective for history majors. As well, it will stress the development of reading, note taking, study, and testing skills. This course is given in full accordance with the Austin College Academic Integrity Guidelines, which are widely available on this campus. The student should ask the instructor at any time, without delay, if there are questions about these guidelines. 

Major Textbook

Major Text:

George B. Tindall and David Shi, America: A Narrative History. W. W. Norton. 7th Edition, Volume One Only. Paperback. ISBN 978-0-393-92732.

Monographs for the Three Unit Examination:

Patricia Brady. Martha Washington: An American Life. Penguin Paperback. ISBN 978-0143037132. To be read for the examination on Unit I on the date noted below.

Gregg Cantrell. Stephen F. Austin: Empresario of Texas. Yale University Press. Paperback. ISBN 978-0-333-9032. To be read for the examination on Unit II on the date noted below.

Richard McCaslin. Tainted Breeze: The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862. LSU Press. Paperback ISBN 978-0-0-807-122148. To be read for the examination on Unit III on the date noted below.
 

Course Requirements

There will be three unit tests required for all students enrolled in the course. Each of them will be a unit examination. The questions on these examinations will be based on class presentation and the assigned readings. The examinations will be administered on the dates indicated on the class schedule below.  Each of these examinations will be composed of 50% multiple choice questions and 50% essay and/or narrative short answer. Each of the examinations will count one third of the final grade. The instructor reserves the right to raise or lower the final course grade according to class discussion and participation. No extra credit work will be assigned.

Monographic reading: On each of the three unit examinations, respectively, there will be a 20 point essay question regarding the particular biography assigned for that examination.

Optional Final Examination. A comprehensive final examination covering material from the entire course will be given at the regularly scheduled final examination time. Students must declare at class time on Thursday, May 9th, if they will be taking the optional final examination. Should a student take the optional final, the grade on that examination (if higher) will be automatically substituted for the lowest grade on one of the three unit examinations. In cases where there are duplicate grades on two of the unit examinations, only one will be substituted.

Learning Objectives

Students will be exposed to the basic facts of American history and gain familiarity with the major historiographical interpretations of the era covered by this course. In addition, they will gain experience in reading historical monographs.

Late Work

Only students with verifiable excuses will be allowed to take make-up examinations. In the case of the final, no student will be permitted to take the exam at another time without the instructor's consultation with the mentor and registrar's office. No late work will be accepted in the History lab exercises.

Incompletes

No incomplete grades will be awarded in this course for any reason whatsoever, except in those cases where the student has been rendered unable to continue in the routine of attending college and is not completing work in their others classes as well because of such situation. These cases will be coordinated through the Dean's Office.

Attendance Policy

All students are encouraged to keep several factors in mind. Roll will be called everyday and an attendance record kept. Missing class for any reason whatsoever will not be an excuse. Each student is fully responsible for changes of schedule, assignment, and all course content material noted each day whether or not they attended; and the instructor reserves the right to make a subjective judgment in raising or lowering a student's final course grade based upon class attendance and participation.

A student will be dropped automatically after the 4th absence, excused or unexcused. If a student plans on missing more than four classes for excused reasons, this is not the semester to take this course. If a student misses more than four classes for medical or other emergency reasons in a situation that renders them unable to continue in the normal routine of a college student, the resolution of the student's participation in this course will be resolved in cooperation with the Vice President for Student Affairs and the mentor.

In addition, students cannot arrive more than five minutes late for class. After that time, they will not be admitted. Students may not leave the class and return once it has begun unless in the case of a medical emergency. Students who leave the classroom thus cannot return during the remainder of the period. This includes both regular class days and examinations.



Special Accommodations

Students with special accommodation and who are registered with the Academic Skills Center must bring these matters to the attention of the instructor with all relevant paperwork by Monday, February  11th or within three calendar days of adding the class. After that time, the instructor will not honor any special testing or classroom-related accommodations. Only those accommodations that are appropriately documented and registered with the appropriate college authorities will be honored with only those accommodations as noted in the paperwork.

 

Final Note

It is an important goal for this course that each student gets the best grade they are able to earn. For that reason, please bring to the immediate attention of the instructor as soon as possible any matter, event, circumstance, or consideration that might have a direct or indirect bearing on performance or class attendance.

Class Schedule and Test Dates

Unit I

This unit will cover the Era of Discovery and Colonization, Native American cultures, the founding of colonies, the British Imperial system, colonial life and society, and the development of the colonial economy. In addition, it will consider the causes of the Revolution and the Revolution itself. There is no set reading assignment. Students will be tests on chapter one through six in the Norton textbook, and the volume Martha Washington by Patricia Brady.

Tuesday March 4 -- Test One. Covers Tindall/Shi Text, Chaps 1 to 6 inclusive and Brady, Martha Washington. 

Unit II

This unit will examine the era of the Confederation, the drafting of the Constitution, and the implementation of the new government under George Washington. It will also consider the rise of political parties, early foreign policy, and the rise of Thomas Jefferson. In will conclude with a consideration of Jeffersonian America and the War of 1812. Student will be responsible for chapters 7 through 10 in the Norton textbook and the book Stephen F. Austin by Gregg Cantrell.

Thurs April 10 -- Test Two. Covers Tindall/Shi Text, Chaps 7 to 11 inclusive and Cantrell, Stephen F. Austin.  

Unit III

This until will look at the rise of nationalism, the Era of Good Feelings, Jacksonian American, and the War with Mexico. It will also consider the phenomena of sectionalism, the westward movement, and the expansion of slavery. It will conclude with a discussion of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Students will be responsible for the Norton text, chapters 11 to 16 and Tainted Breeze by Richard McCaslin.

Tues May 6 --Test Three. Covers Tindall/Shi Text, Chaps 12 to 18 inclusive and McCaslin, Tainted Breeze.
Thurs -- May 8  --  Examination Three will be returned and students must declare during this class meeting if they plan to take the optional final examination.

Optional Final Examination. This comprehensive and cumulative examination will be 50% multiple choice and 50% essay. Without exception, students must have informed the instructor during the May 8th class meeting if they are going to be taking this examination. The grade on this examination will be automatically substituted, if higher, for the lowest Unit examination score in computing the final average. The time of the final examination is that noted on the college wide exam schedule. It will be held Wednesday, December 14th noon in HC211.

Return to Light Cummins Home Page

e