Survey of American History I Fall 2004
Syllabus & Course Outline
Course Description
A survey of American history from colonial times through Reconstruction. [1492-1877]
Instructor
Gregory D. Pryor Office phone: 931-403-3205
Associate Professor of History Toll free: 800-563-8220
Volunteer State Community College E-mail: Greg.Pryor@volstate.edu
You are encouraged to call or e-mail me if you have questions. If I am not in the office when you call, leave a message which includes your name, the class in which you are enrolled, and a telephone number where I can reach you. I will return your call during my next regularly-scheduled office hours. You are also welcome to stop by my office (see office hours listed below) and talk. If you need to see me and cannot come by the office during those hours, please make an appointment.
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Monday - Wednesday - Friday |
Tuesday - Thursday |
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10:00 – 11:30 AM |
11:00 – 12:00 Noon |
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1:30 – 3:30 PM |
1:00 – 3:30 PM |
Textbook
The American Promise: A History of the United States, Volume I: to 1877 [2nd Compact Edition] by James L. Roark, et al. Boston: St. Martin’s, 2003.
Important Safety Tip
In this class we will cover the major events that occurred in American history over the first 396 years, including the entire 18th and most of the 19th centuries. This means that it is extremely important for you to :
(1) come to class (approximately 85% of each test will come from the class
discussions);
(2) do the readings assigned in the textbook; and
(3) take good notes over both the class discussions and the text.
Doing these three things properly will take some time outside of class. I suggest that you review your notes and do your readings before each class meeting; that way, if you have any questions, I can answer them at the beginning of the class period. Be sure you know:
(1) WHEN the event in question took place;
(2) WHAT the event in question involved; and
(3) WHY that event was important historically.
(i.e., how did it affect the course of later events?)
If you have problems coming up with an answer to any of these three questions, contact me - I can usually steer you in the right direction in five minutes or less.
Grades
All grades will be assessed on the following grading scale:
|
Letter Grade |
Percentage Grade |
Quality Points |
|
A – to A+ |
90 - 100 |
4.0 to 4.75 |
|
B – to B+ |
80 - 89 |
3.0 to 3.75 |
|
C – to C+ |
70 - 79 |
2.0 to 2.75 |
|
D – to D+ |
60 - 69 |
1.0 to 1.75 |
|
F |
0 - 59 |
0.0 to 0.5 |
Final grades will be determined by taking the average of your three exam grades.
You are expected to do your own work. Cheating on an exam will result in a grade of “F” / 0.0 being assigned for that exam.
Exams
There will be three exams given during the semester, each covering approximately one third of the material presented in the course. Students will have the entire class period to complete each exam. Each exam will consist of three sections:
I. Essay (40%) In a well-written narrative essay, discuss a major era in American
history. An essay should be not less than two and not more than
five pages long.
II. Short In well-written paragraphs, identify four significant events in
Answer (30%) American history, including (1) when it happened; (2) what it
involved; and (3) why it was important to American history.
III. Multiple On 10-20 questions, select the correct answer from a list of four
Choice (30%) possibilities. Be sure to read the question carefully before
answering.
Exams will be given approximately every five weeks; exact dates are listed in the course outline below. We will spend part of the period before the exam reviewing the material to be covered. It is your responsibility to be here for each of the three scheduled exams. If circumstances (sudden illness, etc.) keep you from taking an exam at the scheduled time, then you may request a makeup exam, which may or may not be granted at the instructor’s discretion: be prepared to present documentation explaining why you were unable to complete the exam at the scheduled time. If granted, makeup exams will be scheduled at the convenience of the instructor. All makeup exams must be completed within one week of the official exam date.
Fall Semester 2004
Important Calendar Dates
Thursday December 16 Final exam @ 8:00 – 10:00 AM
"It is the intent of Volunteer State Community College to fully comply with Executive Order 11246, as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, as amended, and all regulations implementing those laws and orders, for the promotion and ensuring of equal opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or status as a qualified disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. It is the intent of VSCC to be free of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, or physical appearance. It is the intent of VSCC to fully comply with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and the CRA of 1991, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended, the Age discrimination in Employment Act of 1976, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicable state status and all regulations promulgated pursuant thereto."
VSCC Diabilities Statement
It is the student’s responsibility to self identify with the Office of Disability Services in order to receive accommodations. Only those students with appropriate documentation will receive services. Disability Services is located in the Wood Campus Center, Suite C206B.
VSCC Title IX Statement
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. 20 U.S.C. § 1681.
VSCC
Financial Aid Statement
Students who are receiving Title IV financial assistance (Pell Grant, Student Loan or SEOG Grant) must regularly attend class or be subject to repay PART or ALL of the Federal Financial Aid received for the semester.
VSCC Academic Integrity Statement
Academic misconduct includes plagiarism, copying, cheating or other forms of academic dishonesty. Academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance is prohibited. The instructor has the primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct violative of the general rules and regulations of the institution.
Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise of examination or to assign an F in the course.
Plagiarism is the act of using another's words or ideas as your own without proper attribution. (If you are unsure about how or when to cite sources, please see me!) Acts of plagiarism or cheating will result in a failing grade for the course and initiation of disciplinary proceedings.
Course Outline
Part One: The Creation of “One People”.
Introduction to American History
I. European colonization of the New World, 1492 – 1700. 8-31 Chapter 2
A. Spanish colonization of South America, 1492 – 1607.
1. “For God and Gold”: the Spanish colonial imperative.
2. Technological and biological exchange.
A. English colonization of North America, 1607 – 1700.
1. Enclosures and overpopulation: economic colonialism.
2. The Protestant Reformation: religious colonialism.
II. The Early American colonies before 1700: a snapshot. 9-2 Chapter 3
A. Economic, social, and political development.
1. Plantations, indentured servants, and aristocracy in the south.
2. Family farms, the carrying trade, and democracy in the north
B. Political dissent and the frontier mentality.
1. Nat Bacon’s Rebellion (1676).
2. The Dominion of New England (1686-90).
III. The British Empire and “benign neglect”: 1700 – 1763. 9-7 Chapter 5
A. The Enlightenment, 1690 – 1790.
1. The Age of Reason: scientific experimentation and observation.
2. John Locke’s Compact Theory (1690).
B. The Great Awakening, 1734 – 1754.
1. Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield, and revivalism in New England.
2. “New Lights”, colleges, and the development of an American elite.
C. The French & Indian War, 1754 – 1763.
IV. The American Revolution, 1763-1783. 9-9/14/16 Ch. 6
A. Mercantilism, 1763-1776.
1. The Proclamation of 1763.
2. Sugar Act, Currency Act (1764), Stamp Act, Quartering Act (1765).
3. “No taxation without representation”; actual vs. virtual representation.
4. Townsend Acts (1767) and the American response.
5. The Boston Massacre (1770).
6. The Boston Tea Party (1773) and the Intolerable Acts (1774).
7. “Commonwealth theory” vs. “Parliamentary supremacy”.
B. The American War for Independence, 1775-1783.
1. Lexington and Concord; Bunker Hill (1775).
2. Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence (1776).
3. The New York campaign; Trenton (1776).
4. Brandywine Creek; Germantown (1777).
5. Saratoga (1777) and the French Alliance.
6. Frontier warfare: Kaskaskia (1778) and the pacification of the Iroquois (1779).
7. The Southern Strategy; Charleston, Waxhaws, and King’s Mountain (1780).
8. Cowpens, Guilford Courthouse, Yorktown (1781), and the Peace of Paris (1783).
V. A More Perfect Union, 1783-1800. 9-21/23/28 Ch. 8
A. The Articles of Confederation, 1783-1787.
1. Economic problems: currency, taxation, trade, and interstate rivalries.
2. The western lands issue and the Northwest Ordinance (1787).
3. Shays’ Rebellion (1786).
B. The United States Constitution (1787-present).
1. The Federal system.
2. The Virginia and New Jersey Plans and the Great Compromise.
3. Separation of powers and checks and balances.
4. Federalists and Anti-federalists.
5. The Bill of Rights.
C. The Development of the two-party political system, 1790-1800.
1. George Washington and the Presidency.
2. The Whiskey Rebellion (1794).
3. The Alien & Sedition Acts (1798)
4. The Revolution of 1800.
Exam #1: Thursday September 30th
Part Two: The Age of the “Common Man”.
V. The Fledgling Republic, 1800-1824. 10-5 Ch. 10
A. Pre-war political developments, 1800-1812.
1. The Louisiana Purchase (1803) and “implied powers”.
2. Marbury vs. Madison (1803) and “judicial review”.
B. Pre-war economic developments, 1800-1812.
1. The decline of tobacco and the end of the slave trade.
2. Neutral rights and embargo (1803-1812).
C. The War of 1812. 10-7
1. The War Hawks.
2. Failure of the U.S. invasion of Canada (1812).
3. Naval successes at Lake Erie (1813) and Lake Champlain (1814).
4. Tippecanoe (1811), Fort Mims (1813), Horseshoe Bend (1814).
5. Washington, D.C. burned; Fort McHenry saves Baltimore (1814).
6. The Battle of New Orleans (1815) and the Treaty of Ghent (1814).
D. Post-war economic developments, 1815-1824. 10-12 Ch. 11
1. Westward expansion and the cotton gin.
2. “King Cotton” and slavery.
E. Post-war political developments, 1815-1824.
1. “New-made” men and “frontier democracy”.
2. McCulloch vs. Maryland (1819) and “federal supremacy”.
3. The Monroe Doctrine (1819).
VI. The Age of Jackson, 1824-1845. 10-14 Ch.11
A. Background.
1. The making of “Old Hickory”.
2. The “corrupt bargain” (1824).
October 19th Vol State Fall Break No class
B. Major issues of Jackson’s presidency. 10-21
1. The Bank War (1828-1836).
2. Indian removal (1830-1840's).
3. The Nullification Crisis (1828-1832). 10-26
4. The Peggy Eaton Affair (1829-1830).
C. Two party politics, 1836-1844: the rise of the Whigs.
1. Martin Van Buren (1836-1840) and the Panic of 1837.
2. “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too” (1840-1844): the politics of the “common man”.
VII. Religion and society in antebellum America, 1800-1850. 10-28 Ch.11-13
A. The Unitarian Conflict in the east, 1820's-1840's.
1. William Ellery Channing, Unitarianism, and Universalism.
2. Lyman Beecher, Evangelical Calvinism, and the doctrine of “free will”.
B. The Second Great Awakening on the frontier, 1801-1840's.
1. Frontier revivalism in the Old South.
2. Charles G. Finney and the “Burned Over District” in New York.
C. The Romantic reaction in the 1840's.
1. Transcendentalism.
2. Utopian communities
D. Social reform movements. 11-2
1. The Cult of True Womanhood.
2. Prison and asylum reform.
3. Temperance and education.
4. Abolitionism.
Exam #2 Thursday November 4th
Part Three: ‘...His terrible, swift sword...’.
Introduction: What was America’s“manifest destiny”?
VIII. Territorial expansion, slavery, and state’s rights, 1787-1860. 11-9/11 Ch. 12-14
A. The Political economy of slavery.
1. The “three-fifths” clause (1787).
2. The Missouri Compromise (1820).
3. The Annexation of Texas (1836-1848).
4. The California Gold Rush (1849).
5. The Compromise of 1850.
B. The Moral economy of slavery. 11-16/18
1. Nat Turner’s Rebellion and the “Black Codes” (1831).
2. Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the “Underground Railroad” (1830's-1850's).
3. The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854).
4. The Sumner-Brooks Affair (1856).
5. The Dred Scott decision (1857).
C. Lincoln and the rise of the Republican Party.
1. “Free Soil, Free Labor, and Free Men”.
2. The “House-Divided” Speech (1856).
3. The Election of 1860.
IX. The American Civil War, 1861-1865. 11-23 Ch. 14-15
A. The secession crisis, January - April 1861.
1. Secession of the Deep South.
2. The Attack on Fort Sumter.
3. Lincoln’s response.
4. Secession of the Upper South.
November 25th Thanksgiving Holiday No class
B. Strategy and diplomacy at the outset of the war.
1. Relative advantages of the North and the South.
2. The Anaconda Plan.
3. Cotton diplomacy.
C. The War in the West. 11-30; 12-2/7
1. New Orleans and Shiloh (1862).
2. Vicksburg and Chattanooga (1863).
3. Sherman’s March to the Sea (1864).
D. The War in the East.
1. Bull Run (Manassas) and the Peninsular Campaign (1862).
2. Antietam (Sharpsburg) and the Emancipation Proclamation (1862).
3. Chancellorsville and Gettysburg (1863).
4. The Wilderness (1864) and the siege of Petersburg (1864-1865).
5. A Stillness at Appomattox.
X. Reconstruction, 1865-1877. 12-9 Ch. 16
A. Presidential Reconstruction, 1865-1867.
1. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
2. Attempts at reconciliation under Andrew Johnson.
3. Johnson’s impeachment.
B. Congressional Reconstruction, 1867-1877.
1. Radical Republicans in the Congress.
2. Disenfranchisement, martial law, and back taxes.
3. The “ironclad oath” and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
E. Economic developments.
1. The growth of industry in the north.
2. The “colonization” of the New South.
D. Political developments.
1. Democrats: Bourbons and the Lost Cause.
2. Republicans: the G.O.P. and the Bloody Shirt.
Exam #3 Thursday 8:00 – 10:00 AM December 16th