GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE
History 2111 (80309) – American History I
Fall Semester 2006
Tues & Thurs 9:30—10:45 am – Room 211
Instructor: Dr. William Mugleston Office: Cartersville 320A
E-Mail: wmuglest@highlands.edu Office Phone: 678: 872-8092
Office Hours: MW 8:00-10:00 am, 1:30-3:00 pm
TR 8:00-9:00 am; 11:00 am-1:30 pm
Other times by appointment
Course Description: A survey of US History to the post-Civil War period, this course stresses the political and constitutional history of the United States from earliest settlements until 1865. It satisfies the state legislative requirements in United States & Georgia history. Prerequisites: Satisfactory placement scores/READ 0099 and ENGL 0099.
Required Books for the Course:
David M. Kennedy et al., The Brief American Pageant. 6th ed., 2004. Vol. I: To 1877.
ISBN 0-618-33269-3
Mugleston, Page, Peters, United States of Change: Revolutionary People During Revolutionary Times—Essays in American History. 2004. ISBN 0-8281-1243-6
Examinations: There will be four major 100-point exams, on Thurs Sept 14, Tuesday Oct 10, Tuesday Nov 7, and the final exam on Tuesday Dec 12, 10-11:50 am.
Class Participation & Attendance: In order to award and encourage active participation in the course, everyone will start out with an “account” of 60 points. These are yours to keep or lose. You must attend and actively participate in order to receive full credit in this category. Active participation means showing up every day and on time, staying for the duration of the class, not leaving early (unless you let the instructor know beforehand), not wandering in and out of class, staying awake, not checking cell phones during class, and actively participating in class discussions. There are no “excused” or “unexcused” absences; an absence is an absence. Your final points in this category will be determined at the end of the semester.
E-Mail: Each student must e-mail me within one week of the beginning of the semester, introducing yourself (interests, activities, hobbies, academic and career goals, etc.) as well as letting me know if you have any questions, concerns, etc., about the course. This will be recorded as part of your participation grade.
Grading System: Your final course grade will be based on 540 points: 400 for the four major exams, 60 for participation and attendance, and 80 for the eight essays you will turn in (see below). The following scale will determine your final letter grade:
540 – 496 A (92%) 377 – 324 D (60%)
495 - 432 B (80%) Below 324 F
431 - 378 C (70%)
The “Gold Star A”: The person who earns the highest numerical grade on the final exam will receive an “A” in the course, regardless of his or her previous grade average. (The Fine Print: To qualify for this, you must have taken the first three 100-point exams and completed all eight of the required essays.)
Recap of Important Dates:
Thurs Sept 7 – 1st three essays due from United States of Change
Thurs Sept 14 – First 100-point Exam
Tuesday Oct 10 – Second 100-point Exam
Wed Oct 11 – Midterm; Last Day to Withdraw with a “W”
Thurs Oct 19 – 2nd three essays due from United States of Change
Tuesday Nov 7 – Third 100-point Exam
Tuesday Nov 21 – Last two essays due from United States of Change
November 22-26 - NO CLASSES; THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
Tuesday Dec 12 – Final Exam, 10-11:50 am. No make-ups on the final!
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate an awareness of global and multicultural issues as they have affected individuals and social structures in the past and are likely to affect them in the future.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize historical data in relation to both its time period and ours.
Students will be able to express knowledge of historical data through verbal and written means.
Students will be able to analyze both quantitative and qualitative course source material.
Students will be able to apply historical concepts to modern situations in the search for cause and effect patterns.
Policies on student conduct and academic integrity: These are in the College’s “Student Rights & Responsibilities” document. This can be accessed at the following URL:
http://www.highlands.edu/campuslife/handbook/html/academic_integrity_code.htm
Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should make an appointment with the College Access Center (706: 802-5003) to coordinate reasonable accommodations. You are also welcome to contact me privately to discuss your specific needs.
This message applies only to students receiving financial aid: Federal regulations state that if a student did not attend classes and received failing grades, then the grades were not earned and financial aid needs to be reduced accordingly. Please be advised that any student receiving a 0.00 GPA will be required to prove that the
0.00 GPA was earned by attending classes or completing requirements for each class. Students who have earned at least one passing grade for the semester will not be affected by this regulation. If a student has properly withdrawn from all classes, the student’s financial aid should be adjusted from the time they signed the withdrawal form.
CELL PHONES: All cell phones must be turned off or put on silent mode during class, and stored out of sight.
My Main Goal in This Course: To help you learn to think more critically and intelligently about the past, its relationship to the present, and your position in the present. If at the end of the course you have more questions than answers in your head, then we will have achieved something together.
Take Your History Seriously – it can help you understand yourself, other people, your country, and the world.
Take Your History Lightly – it can be fun! It can help you laugh at the humor in human behavior.
TWO SPECIAL REQUESTS:
1) If you must leave before the end of a class (not a good idea), please let me know before the class begins. Simple courtesy. Thanks.
2) Students wandering in and out of class drive your instructor crazy. If you have some compelling reason to do so, please discuss it with me.
Reading and Writing Assignment in
UNITED STATES OF CHANGE:
REVOLUTIONARY PEOPLE DURING REVOLUTIONARY TIMES
You will be required to write eight (8) brief essays (500-600 words each) on eight of the chapters in United States of Change. Read the chapters carefully and thoughtfully. Your essays should include:
1. A brief summary of the chapter.
2. Your analysis and evaluation of the chapter. THIS IS IMPORTANT! This might include: How well or poorly written was the essay? Have you read things elsewhere or heard things in class that support or contradict what the essay says? Is the essay convincing? Just what is the author trying to prove, and does he or she do it? What are its strengths? Weaknesses? How might the essay have been improved? Be specific in your criticisms! That is, note the specific areas of the essay you find strong and weak.
GROUND RULES:
Your essays MUST be TYPED & DOUBLE-SPACED, or they will be returned to be rewritten.
Grammar, spelling, neatness, quality of writing, and following these directions will also count in the grade, along with content.
Staple (preferably) or paper-clip the essay pages together. Place your name at the top right of the first page. No binders or cover pages.
First three essays due Thursday Sept 7
Second three essays due Thursday Oct 19
Last two due Tuesday November 21
You may submit them early if you wish.
Your essays will be graded from 0 - 10 points each. Late papers will have three (3) points deducted from their score.
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“Studying the past teaches you what’s different about life today, and what’s not different at all. Which is what learning history is all about.”
(Author unknown)