Course Syllabus
** HIST 100 Syllabus - PDF Version **
Mr. Lucier’s History 100
History 100 Section 02 Ref# 4618
San Bernardino Valley College | Fall 2023
Social Sciences, Human Development & Physical Education Division
North Hall Room 345 | (909) 384-4413
Instructor: Bradley Lucier
Email: Blucier@sbccd.cc.ca.us
Room: North Hall 217
Office Hours/Location: T/Th 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM/North Hall 350
Time: T/Th 9:35 AM – 10:50 AM
Preferred contact: Inbox in canvas
Start date: 8/14/23
End date: 12/15/23
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:
- Identify and explain the historical significance of key terms, events or movements in United States history from the pre-colonial period to 1877.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Interpret the key factors that led to the Market Revolution, including inventions, the transportation revolution, and the importance of immigrant and slave labor
- 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
- Analyze and discuss the role of women as slave and free laborers, in antebellum culture, and as leaders of various reform movements
- Identify and discuss the key conflicts of the 1850s that led to the Civil War
- 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
- 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 Text:
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
Grading policy:
Learning is the journey, not the destination.
This class will use a labor based grading system. In short, your grade is determined by the amount of labor you put into the class. It will be measured by the amount of completed assignments you submit.
For each assignment you submit - you will either be given a complete, revise, or incomplete grade.
A complete grade means the assignment is satisfactory and complete.
A revise grades means that additional changes, research, or work needs to be done before the assignment is considered complete. If your assignment needs revisions, you will be notified by myself for what needs to be added/changed before re-submission. Examples or revisions may include writing more to meet minimum word counts, answering questions the instructor has about the work submitted, re-writing certain parts of the assignment, or going to the writing center when necessary.
An incomplete means the assignments was not turned in, does not meet the minimum requirements, or was not resubmitted when revision was necessary.
Course Requirements:
Your final grade is determined by meeting the minimum requirements for each category of assignments. There are 6 assignment categories required to earn a C in the course with one additional assignment category for students looking to earn an A or B.
- Introduction assignments + Grading contract
- Attendance/instructor communication
- Labor logs
- Online quizzes
- Exams
- Essays
- Online discussions (for A and B grades)
To earn the desired final letter grade in the course. ALL the minimum requirements for EACH assignment must be met.
Failure to meet the minimum requirements for the C category for ANY of the assignments will result in an F grade in the class (there is no D letter grade).
Introduction assignments + grading contract:
At the start of the semester all students are required to complete a set of introduction assignments and a grading contract in canvas. Introduction assignments will help everyone become more familiar with canvas. The grading contract will help everyone become more familiar with the grading system and ask students to commit to earning a their desired final grade in the course. Failure to complete the introduction assignments will result in failure of the course.
Attendance/instructor communication:
It is expected that you attend class on a regular basis. While emergencies and illnesses do happen, it is expected that a minimum number of classes be attended.
If unable to attend class, it is important to communicate with the instructor prior to the class start time. Any absence or late arrival that is NOT communicated with the instructor prior to class will be considered a “no call – no show”.
|
Attendance grade |
Minimum “No call – no shows” |
Minimum classes attended |
|
A |
2 |
24 |
|
B |
4 |
20 |
|
C |
6 |
16 |
|
F |
6+ |
0 |
Labor logs:
Students maintain a record of the labor they contributed to the course and submit it on a bi-weekly basis. This record will include class notes, readings, research, discussions, and any additional material outside the classroom that contributed to student learning. Students will be asked to reflect on the learning process for the previous 2 weeks and may be asked questions such as - What did you learn? What learning did you find effective? Ineffective? How might things change in the future? Labor logs are designed to show what you have done in the class and how learning can be improved.
|
Labor log grade |
Minimum Completed |
|
A |
7 |
|
B |
6 |
|
C |
5 |
Online quizzes:
Six quizzes can be accessed online. Quizzes will ask you questions about the material covered in class and will assess how well you take notes and retain information. Quizzes will have 20 questions to complete in 20 minutes. Quizzes will be open for 7 days and allow you to use as many attempts as needed to score 100%. A quiz is considered complete when you score 90% or 18/20 questions correct.
|
Quiz grade |
Minimum Completed |
|
A |
6 |
|
B |
5 |
|
C |
4 |
Exams:
Three exams will be given that will test your knowledge of US history. Exams are multiple choice (requires scantron 882 E) and will focus primarily on material in class, the online quizzes, and from the textbook. The exams are not comprehensive and will only cover material from the previous exams onwards. Exams will be completed at home and are due on the dates outlined on the course calendar. You may use your notes/textbook for the exam – though I Please bring your completed scantron to class on the date the exam is due.
|
Exam grade |
Exam 1 |
Exam 2 |
Exam 3 |
|
A |
90% |
90% |
90% |
|
B |
80% |
80% |
80% |
|
C |
70% |
70% |
70% |
Essay Assignments:
Students will be assigned three essays (2-5 pgs. double spaced) that will answer a comprehensive question relating to U.S. 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. Essays must also include quotes from 2 primary source readings which will be made available online through Canvas. Essays are submitted through canvas either by file (PDF or Word ONLY) or entered as text if file cannot be uploaded.
|
Essay grade |
Minimum Completed |
|
A |
3 |
|
B |
2 |
|
C |
1 |
Ethics, plagiarism, and cheating 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 ones own thoughts/words, and will be considered plagiarized work.
The PLAGIARISM PENALTY: Students who plagiarize will receive a ZERO for the assignment and WILL NOT be able to make it up. Any secondary incident will lead to additional loss of points, including a FAILING grade for the class. Repeated incidents of plagiarism to the Dean for student code of conduct violations.
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.
Discussions:
During the semester, four discussion boards will be available on canvas for students to contribute additional labor and research interests in. Topics will be relevant to United States history and based around classroom material and classroom discussions.
|
Discussion |
Minimum Contributions |
Minimum Peer replies |
|
A |
3 |
3 |
|
B |
2 |
2 |
|
C |
0 |
0 |
Late Work Policy:
Due dates are 30 minutes before class as outlined on the course calendar/canvas – exams will be handed in during class.
If students are unable to complete work by the posted deadlines – for any reason - it is important to communicate that with me informing me 1) how much additional time do you need to complete the assignment (within reason) 2) when/where you plan on doing the work. Failure to submit by the student provided deadline will result in an incomplete on the assignment.
Online Participation/Drop Policy:
Students can be dropped/withdrawn for the following reasons:
- Failure to submit the introduction assignments and grading contract.
- Failure to submit any work for any given 2-week period.
- More than 6 “no call – no show” absences
- Inappropriate, harassing, or offensive comments/statements made to the professor or other students in public discussions.
Drop date: 9/04/22. Withdraw date: 10/27/22. Students are responsible for dropping by the posted deadlines.
Resources - ADA Accommodations:
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.
Campus resources
Writing center:
https://www.valleycollege.edu/student-services/tutoring-academic-support/writing-center/index.php
Counseling:
https://www.valleycollege.edu/student-services/counseling/index.php
Academic success/tutoring:
Services for veterans:
https://www.valleycollege.edu/admissions-records/veterans/
Financial Aid:
https://www.valleycollege.edu/financial-aid/index.php
Food pantry:
https://www.valleycollege.edu/about-sbvc/facilities/360-resource-center/index.php
Student health services:
https://www.valleycollege.edu/student-services/specialized-counseling-services/health-services/
Course Calendar:
ALL assignments are due 30 minutes before class – Exams are handed in-person
|
Date |
Tuesday |
Date |
Thursday |
|
8/14 |
Syllabus |
8/16 |
Chapter 1 America, Europe, Africa
|
|
8/22 |
Chapter 1 America, Europe, Africa Introduction + grading contract due
|
8/24 |
Chapter 2 The Atlantic World |
|
8/29 |
Chapter 2 The Atlantic World Labor Log # 1
|
8/31 |
Independent study No class Quiz 1 due |
|
9/5 |
Chapter 3 Colonial societies |
9/7 |
Chapter 4 Rule Britannia Discussion # 1 due
|
|
9/12 |
Chapter 4 Rule Britannia Labor Log # 2
|
9/14 |
Chapter 5 Colonial protests Quiz 2 due |
|
9/19 |
Chapter 5 Colonial protests |
9/21 |
Chapter 6 Revolution Exam 1
|
|
9/26 |
Chapter 6 Revolution Labor Log # 3
|
9/28 |
Independent study No class |
|
10/3 |
Chapter 7 Republican Governments |
10/5 |
Chapter 7 Republican Governments Essay 1 due
|
|
10/10 |
Chapter 8 The New Republic Labor Log # 4
|
10/12 |
Chapter 8 The New Republic Quiz 3 due |
|
10/17 |
Chapter 9 Industrial Transformation |
10/19 |
Chapter 9 Industrial Transformation Discussion # 2 due
|
|
10/24 |
Chapter 10 Jacksonian Democracy Labor Log # 5
|
10/26 |
Chapter 12 The Cotton Boom Quiz 4 due
|
|
10/31 |
Chapter 12 The Cotton Boom |
11/2 |
Chapter 13 Idealism and Reform Essay 2 due Exam 2 due
|
|
11/7 |
Chapter 11 Westward Expansion Labor Log # 6
|
11/9 |
Chapter 11 Westward Expansion Discussion # 3 due
|
|
11/14 |
Chapter 14 Troubled Times |
11/16 |
Chapter 14 Troubled Times Quiz 5 due
|
|
11/21 |
Fall Break – No Class
|
11/23 |
Thanksgiving - No Class |
|
11/28 |
Chapter 15 The Civil War Labor Log # 7 |
11/30 |
Chapter 15 The Civil War Discussion # 4 due
|
|
12/5 |
Chapter 16 Reconstruction
|
12/7 |
Chapter 16 Reconstruction Essay 3 due Quiz 6 due |
|
12/12 |
Final exam schedule Labor Log # 8
|
12/14 |
Final exam schedule Exam 3 due |
*Syllabus is subject to change during the semester
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|