History 1304: United States History I: 1607 -1877

British Settlement through Reconstruction

Spring 2008

 

Dr. Eleanor Hannah
ABAH 261
(218) 726 - 7252
ehannah@d.umn.edu

Teaching Assistants:

The purpose of History 1304 is to explore the history of the United States from 1607 to 1877 focusing on the development of American society and politics through a series of case studies built around primary document readings.

The goal of this section of History 1304 is to foster student acquisition of the analytical and critical skills necessary to enter into meaningful academic discussion, oral and written.

The course is built around ten case studies, each delving into one or more aspects of the social, political and economic events that shaped the historical development of the United States. Each of the ten units will consist of a combination of lectures, written homework proposing a claim based on the primary documents assigned for that unit, a quiz over the readings assigned for the unit, and discussion group participation. Students will be assigned to a discussion group at the beginning of the semester and they will work with members of that group in class and online to prepare for each scheduled discussion group session. The final exam will be administered in the discussion groups as an evaluated discussion of a significant problem in the history of the United States between 1607 and 1877. The instructor reserves the right to add additional quizzes or written homework to the course requirements at any time.

More than one third of the course grade depends on student participation and performance in group discussion--it is therefore important that students attend all lectures and take good notes so as to be fully prepared on discussion days.   Should a student be unable to avoid an excused absence on a scheduled discussion day, that student may choose to substitute an extra-credit assignment for the missed points.   If the absence was unexcused (see policy further down), it will not be possible to make up the missed points.

The grades will be curved to reflect the achievements of the members of this class.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE POLICIES

• Always bring the assigned reading material to class.
• Homework is due at the beginning of the class on the date specified.
• Homework will not be accepted after that time. If you cannot attend class that day, make arrangements for your homework to be turned in early or send it with a colleague.
• There will be no Incompletes.
• There will be no makeups for in-class quizzes and in-class activities. If you are absent that day, you will receive zero credit for that quiz or activity. If your absence is excused you may elect to negotiate either an alternative assignment or a conversion of the points from quizzes and activities to participation points. Failure to negotiate for either will result in zero points.
• Students unable to take the final exam on the designated date are expected to notify the instructor immediately via voicemail.   Excused absences from the final exam must be approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.   Exam conflicts will be resolved according to the policies outlined here: http://www.d.umn.edu/catalogs/current/umd/gen/final.html.
• Plagiarism and other forms of scholastic dishonesty, as defined in the Student Conduct Code, will result in zero credit for the assignment and may result in a course grade of F, depending on the severity of the offense.
• Individuals who may have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the semester. Adaptations of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.

STUDY AND RESEARCH TIPS

• Read all assigned material.
• Write your homework far enough in advance to be able to set it aside for a time and then come back to it for one last re-read.
• Create a study group with other students in the class.
• Ask questions in class or use my office hours to pursue more thoroughly topics that interest you and any questions you may have.
• Copies of this syllabus and all course assignments are available at History 1304.
• When sending email to Dr. Hannah or a course TA, put the course number in the subject line - for example, "hist 1304."

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Attendance is mandatory for this course, and unless you have arranged in writing (email or hard copy) and in advance for an excused absence, you will not be able to make up any graded work.   After the missed class period, documentation is required for an excused absence - for example, from the ambulance driver carrying you to the hospital after you were stricken by sudden serious illness or injury in the cafeteria during breakfast.   Short of this - email before class begins.

Because attendance is mandatory, for each unexcused absence after the first two, your final grade will be reduced by one letter grade.   If you have six unexcused absences, you will not pass the course.

REQUIRED BOOKS

• Randolp B. Campbell, Sam Houston and the American Southwest. Third Edition.
• William B. Wheeler and Susan D. Becker, Discovering the American Past: A Look at the Evidence.
• Eric Foner, A Short History of Reconstruction.  
• Theda Purdue and Michael D. Green, The Cherokee Removal, a Brief History with Documents.   Second Edition.

All course books are available at the Campus Bookstore (or online through online book retailers) and all other required and recommended readings are available via the course website.   The assigned readings for the course should be done before each class as noted in the Class Schedule.

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