**  Hist 100  Syllabus - PDF version, click here **

Mr. Lucier’s History 100 (online) Syllabus

History 100 Section 70 (Ref# 4514) United States History to 1877

San Bernardino Valley College | Spring 2023

Social Sciences, Human Development & Physical Education Division

North Hall Room 345 | (909) 384-4413

Class Information:

Instructor: Bradley Lucier

Email: Blucier@sbccd.cc.ca.us

Room: Online

Office Hours: by apt., online, T/Th 10-11 AM

 

Time: 6.75 hours each week

Preferred contact: Inbox in canvas

Start date: 3/27/2023

End date: 5/19/2023

 

Course Description:

This course provides a general survey of United States history with an emphasis on political, economic, social, and cultural developments from the pre-Colonial period through the Civil War and Reconstruction period.

 

Course Student Learning Outcomes:

A. Identify and explain the historical significance of key terms, events or movements in United States history from the pre-colonial period to 1877.

B. Critically evaluate and interpret key themes in social, cultural, political, and or economic movements in the United States history from the pre-colonial period to 1877.

C. Applying the specific knowledge of key events and themes in United States history from the pre-colonial period to 1877, students will demonstrate their understandings of the course material using evidence based writing (using 2 or more sources)

 

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Identify, define, and discuss key factors contributing to European exploration and conquest, and the cultural clash between Native Americans and the Spanish, French, and British colonists
2. Critically evaluate and interpret pertinent themes such as the transition to slave labor in the Chesapeake, the role of women in the colonial experience, and the impact of Republican thought on American politics
3. Compare and contrast the development of various colonies, identifying their original goals as well as their end results, including: Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, the Quakers, the Pilgrims, the Puritans, and the Exodus Colonies
4. Examine and interpret the key factors leading to the American Revolution, highlighting conflicts such as the French and Indian War, British economic and political sanctions against the colonists, and the ideological foundations of revolutionary philosophy
5. Discuss the challenges presented by the American Revolution, including the war itself as well as the philosophical foundation and political compromise that created the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the structure of our government
6. Interpret the key factors that led to the Market Revolution, including inventions, the transportation revolution, and the importance of immigrant and slave labor
7. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the impact of the Westward growth, including conflicts such as the War of 1812 and the Mexican American War,  and the philosophy of Manifest Destiny on Native American populations
8. Analyze and discuss the role of women as slave and free laborers, in antebellum culture, and as leaders of various reform movements
9. Identify and discuss the key conflicts of the 1850s that led to the Civil War
10. Construct sound arguments regarding the challenges presented in fighting the Civil War, as well as the economic, social, and political consequences of the Civil War
11. Analyze and discuss the various stages and the outcome of the Reconstruction period, including the impact that the Compromise of 1877 had on African American and white populations in the North and the South

Course Core Competencies:

• Read and retain information
• Write clearly
• Locate and interpret information
• Evaluate authority and bias of information
• Locate, evaluate and select evidence to support/discredit an argument
• Construct a persuasive argument
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and respect for, other cultures
• Demonstrate knowledge of, and respect for, one’s own culture

Required LMS: 

Canvas

Required Texts:

Textbook is 100% free and online at: https://openstax.org/details/books/us-history

Corbett, Scott P., et. al. U.S. History by Openstax (XanEdu Publishing Inc; 1st edition December 30, 2014) ISBN: 978-1506698151

*Additional required readings will be made available online through Canvas

 

Course Requirements:

Chapter quizzes                                                           350 points (points vary per week)

Midterm and Final Exam                                            350 points (175 points each)

Two Historical Biographical Discussions                     180 points (90 points each)

Four Primary Source Discussions:                               120 points (30 points each)

________________________________________________________________________

Total points:                                                                1000 points     

Grade Breakdown

1000-900 points = A

899-800 points = B

799-700 points = C

699-600 points = D

599-0 points = F

Chapter quizzes

(350 points total, points vary per week) Each week students will be required to complete readings, watch videos, and take notes on the chapters covered for that week followed by a brief quiz. Quizzes allow for unlimited time and attempts.  Due dates for chapter quizzes are each week by Sunday night @ 11:59 PM. Late submissions are only accepted up to one week past the due date, after that they will not be accepted and are scored as 0. Any late submissions will have scores reduced by 50%.

Midterm and Final Exams

(350 points, 175 points each) Students will be required to complete a midterm and final exam.  Exams will test your knowledge on the chapters covered in the textbook. Exams will consist of 25 questions (multiple answer, matching, dropdown) that you will be required to answer in 60 minutes.  Questions are chosen from a pool and shuffled, meaning each exam attempt will generate a different exam.  There are two attempts to account for any technical glitches or internet issues during your initial attempt.  Even if you experience no technical issues on the first attempt, feel free to take advantage of both attempts. No late Exams will be accepted.

Essay

(200 points total, 100 points each) Students will be assigned one essay (2-5 pgs. double spaced) that will answer a comprehensive question relating to United States history.  These papers are designed to be an opportunity for you to interact with the material and voice your own opinion.  These are not research papers – No online or outside sources permitted. All papers must include a thesis statement, the use of evidence, and analysis.  Papers must also include quotes from 2 primary source readings which will be made available online through Canvas. Papers are due at 11:59 PM outlined on Canvas and the course calendar. Papers are submitted through canvas either by file (PDF or Word ONLY) or entered as text if file cannot be uploaded. Late papers are only accepted within 1 week of their original due date.  Later papers will have their grades reduced by 50%.

Historical Biography Discussion

(180 points, 90 points each) During the semester students will complete 2 biographical assignments. Each assignment will require each student to participate in two separate discussions. The first; everyone will choose a different person for which they will write a discussion post detailing that individuals’ biography. Participating in the first discussion will avoid two or more students choosing the same person. Duplicate posts receive no credit.

 

The second; there will be a series of questions for which you will answer.  Research will be based from online sources as these assignments will require a deeper understanding than the textbook or videos can provide.  Biographical posts must be put into your own words to avoid plagiarized work. Any work copied and pasted and/or not put into your own words will be considered plagiarism and will be graded as a 0.  Each student must also reply to at least 2 other students posts comparing biographical figures through a series of follow up questions that will be posted.  The specific format for these assignments will be made available on Canvas. Late assignments are only accepted within 1 week of their original due date and will be reduced by 50%

Primary Source Discussions:

(120 points total, 30 points each) Four primary sources discussions will be made available on canvas.  Primary source discussions require the reading of selected primary sources posted in to canvas.  You will be given a series of questions which you must answer in your discussion.  It is important to include in your initial reply: 1) the primary source read and 2) the question you are answering. Source discussions will be graded on the initial post and the two required peer replies. Late assignments will only be accepted within one week of the original due date.  Late assignments are reduced by 50%.

 

What is a primary source?  A source is anything that informs us about the past.  A primary source is a source that comes directly from the time/place of historical inquiry. 

Plagiarism Policy:

A WORD OF CAUTION: Plagiarism includes copying or re-mixing someone else’s work – either from the textbook or the internet - and passing it off as your own. Additionally, the use of a paraphrasing tool, thesaurus, and other text modifiers is also plagiarism. Do not be seduced into using the Internet as a crutch instead of using your own thoughts/words.  Simply changing a few words or punctuation is NOT using one’s own thoughts/words, and will be considered plagiarized work.

 

The PLAGIARISM PENALTY: There is a zero-tolerance plagiarism and cheating policy.  Academic dishonesty will result in an “F” on all or part of an assignment and referral to the dean.

 

Good practices to avoid plagiarism: Some advice/best practices to avoid submitting plagiarized work: Do not use words/terms/places that you are personally unfamiliar with, or do not understand. Read first, close browser/book, then write – Do NOT read/write simultaneously.  Work to minimize the content of your sources ie: For every 5 sentences of information read, write 1 sentence on your assignment. Proof-read, proof-read, and proof-read before you submit.

 

Late Work Policy:

No late exams are accepted.  Because the answers are public after exam sessions, no late exams are accepted.  Exam sessions are open for 7 days, if an exam has not been attempted within the exam period, it will be scored as 0.  

 

All other late assignments will only be accepted within one week of the original due date.  After 7 days from the due date, assignments will be closed for submissions and graded as 0. No late assignments are accepted after the end of the semester.   Late assignments will have their scores reduced by 50%.

 

Online Participation/Add/Drop/Attendance Policy:

Students can be dropped for the following reasons:

1. Failure to attempt the Syllabus Quiz within the first 7 days of the course.
2. Failure to submit any work for any given 2-week period.
3. Inappropriate, harassing, or offensive comments/statements made to the professor or other students in public discussions.

Drop date: 4/4/23. Withdraw date: 4/27/23. Students are responsible for dropping by the posted deadlines.

Resources - ADA Accommodations:

If you require a disability-related accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible so that I can assist you in a timely manner. You must also register with the college’s Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS). You will be required to provide DSPS with professional verification of your disabling condition(s). The phone number for DSPS is (909) 384-4443.

 

Course Calendar:

 All assignments are due on Sunday by 11:59 PM.  No late assignments accepted for Exam Assignments. No late assignments accepted after 5/21/23.

 

Week 1 (Mar 27 – Apr 2)

• Reading/Review videos: Chapter 1
• Complete 0.0 – 0.4 Introduction assignments
• Chapter 1 quiz

 Week 2 (Apr 3 – Apr 9)

• Reading/Review videos: Chapter 2 – 4
• Chapter 2 – 4 quizzes
• Complete Primary Source Discussion – Colonization

Week 3 (Apr 10 – Apr 16)

• Reading/Review videos: Chapter 5 – 6
• Chapter 5 – 6 quizzes
• Complete Primary Source Discussion – Revolution

 Week 4 (Apr 17 – Apr 23)

• Reading/Review videos: Chapter 7 – 8
• Chapter 7 – 8 quizzes
• Choose a person for Biography Assignment 1
• Complete Midterm Exam

 

 Week 5 (Apr 24 – Apr 30)

• Reading/Review videos: Chapter 9 – 10
• Chapter 9 – 10 quizzes
• Complete Historical Biographical Discussion 1

 

 Week 6 (May 1 – May 7)

• Reading/Review videos: Chapter 11 – 13  
• Chapter 11 – 13 quizzes
• Complete Primary Source Discussion – North and South  

 

Week 7 (May 8 – May 14)

• Reading/Review videos: Chapter 14 – 15  
• Chapter 14 – 15 quizzes
• Choose a person for Biography Assignment 2
• Complete Primary Source Discussion – Civil War

 

 Week 8 (May 15 – May 21)

• Reading/Review videos: Chapter 16  
• Chapter 16 quiz
• Complete Historical Biographical Discussion 2
• Complete Final Exam
• Complete semester survey

Note: semester technically ends 5/19 but I will still accept work up to 5/21

* NO assignments will be accepted after May 21 *