History of the United States to the Civil War

HIST 131 A&B 3 credit hrs.

10 to 10:50 MWF(A)

2 to 2:50 MWF(B)

Dr. Earl J. Hess

Avery Hall 210 869-6297 ehess@lmunet.edu

Off. Hours: 9:15 to 10 and 12 to 1 MWF. Fall, 2001

There are no prerequisites for this course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS:

This is a survey of American history from the founding of North America to the Civil War. The goals are to introduce the student to the major trends in the development of America; to provide the student with substantial content knowledge of American history; to identify for students the key motivations for major developments in the course of American history; and to introduce the student to some basic concepts in how historians study the past.

TEXT: Alan Brinkley, American History, Vol. 1, 10th ed.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING:

The course will be based on lectures and reading in the textbook. The student must attend class and take notes and participate in discussions. The student must read the assignments and take notes from them. Avoid rote memorization; concentrate instead on understanding the concepts and cause and effect relationships explained in class.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

The student must attend class, take notes, read, and study thoroughly to pass the course.

There will be two exams during the semester, a non-comprehensive final exam, and two quizzes. The exams will be based on the lecture and the readings. They will be worth 100 points each. Each quiz will be worth fifty points. Grading will be on a straight ten percent basis, no curving.

Students will have the option of doing an extra credit project to help compensate for a low test score, but he or she must see me about this; do not expect to be able to do an extra credit project alone without my approval.

Each student is expected to attend all classes. If you must miss a class meeting, I would appreciate it if you informed me. Please keep in mind that you are expected to catch up for any missed material, it is your responsibility to do that.

Each student is expected to do his or her own work, not to cheat on exams or quizzes, or plagiarize, or use anyone’s help in completing extra credit essays. Any form of cheating will result in a grade of F for the course.

You will need to purchase at the bookstore the textbook and exam booklets (blue books) to write your exams in.