History 2010
Survey of American History I
Syllabus and Course Information
Fall 2003
Scott McMillan
Assistant Professor of English, History, and Political Science
Office Hours: M 10:00-11:15; 1:15-6:00/T 12:30-6:00/
W 10:00-11:15/R 12:30-1:30; 5:30-6:00/F 10:00-11:15; 1:15-2:00
800.563.8220/823.7065 (VSCC-L)
scott.mcmillan@volstate.edu
“The life of the future is predicated upon the implication of the past. The historian
is the memory of civilization. A civilization without memory ceases to
be civilized. A civilization without history ceases to have identity.
Without identity there is no purpose; without purpose civilization will wither.”
--Michael Kammen
History 2010 is a general survey of American history, which focuses on political, economic, military, diplomatic, social, and cultural events in the United States from its colonial origins through the end of the Civil War in 1865.
The goals of this course are to familiarize you with the major developments and significant individuals in American history from its origins through 1865 and to teach you how to analytically approach the study of history.
Text
Roark, James L., Michael P. Johnson, Patricia Cline Cohen, Sarah Stage, Alan
Lawson, and Susan H. Hartmann. The American Promise: A History of
The United States. Vol I: To 1877. Second Compact Edition. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2003.
I expect you to attend each class! Most of the material on tests will come from class lectures and discussions, so attendance is very important. If you know you are going to miss a class, please try to let me know in advance. If you miss more than two classes without a valid reason, I will lower your final grade by a letter grade. Missing five or more classes will result in an automatic F for the course.
Three tests will be given during the semester with all three tests counting equally. Each test will consist of approximately 50% objective (chronology, matching, multiple choice) and 50% essay (short answer, essay). You must be present for scheduled tests. If you miss a test, you can request a makeup test, which may or may not be given at my discretion.
Tests will be graded on the following scale: A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, and F=59 and below.
All writing for this class must be your own work! Obviously, this means not using materials (books, articles, web sites) written by someone else and presenting them as your own work. It also refers to simply restating material without originality of thought and development. Any such activity constitutes plagiarism, which will result in an automatic F for the course and the filing of a report with the Office of the Vice-President of Academic Affairs at VSCC.
Special Notices
It is the student’s responsibility to identify himself/herself to the Office of Disability Services in order to receive accommodations. Disability Services is located in the Student Services Office at the Livingston Center of VSCC. Only those students with official documentation from the Office of Disability Services will receive services.
Volunteer State Community College, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is an equal opportunity institution and ensures equal opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, or status as qualified veteran with a disability or a veteran of the Vietnam era.
Course Outline
Aug. 28 Introduction Chap. 1 (3-16)
“Looking East from Indian Country” Chap. 2
Chap. 3
Chap. 4 (79-86)
Sept. 4 “The New England Mind” Chap. 4 (67-79)
Sept. 11 “Liberty and Power” Chap. 5
Sept. 18 “From Resistance to Rebellion” Chap. 6
Sept. 25 “The Glorious Cause” Chap. 7
Oct. 2 Test 1
Oct. 9 “The Sacred Fire of Liberty” Chap. 8
“The Federalist Era” Chap. 9
Oct. 16 “The Federalist Era” (continued)
“The Elusive Republic” Chap. 10
Oct. 23 “The Age of Jackson” Chap. 11
Oct. 30 Test 2
Nov. 6 & 13 “The Impending Crisis” Chap. 12 Chap. 13
Chap. 14
Nov. 20 & “The Longest Night” Chap. 15
Dec. 4
(Nov. 28/Thanksgiving)
Dec. 12 Test 3
“To be an American (unlike being English or French or whatever) is precisely to imagine a destiny rather than to inherit one: since we have always been, insofar, as we are Americans at all, inhabitants of myth rather than history. . . .”
--Leslie Fiedler