Course title: History of the American People to 1877

Course number: 2003

CRN:

Course discipline: American History

Course description: This is an introductory history class exploring American life beginning with European backgrounds; discovery and settlement; concluding with the Civil War and Reconstruction. The survey encompasses the constitutional, political, social, and economic development of the United States prior to 1877.

Course date:

 January 19 through May 7, 2010

Location: BH 3022

Name: Greg Kiser

Email: gkiser@nwacc.edu

Office: BH 2004

Office hours: 9:00am to 3:00pm

Phone: 479-619-4227

Biography: I began teaching here at NWACC in 1990. I received my undergraduate degree from Missouri Southern State University and my graduate work from the University of Arkansas.

COURSE GOALS: As America continues its unparalleled growth, our multicultural society appears ever more diverse. There is, however, a common thread uniting each of us - our collective past. United States history is the link to our uniqueness as a society. The United States History course is an overview of that commonality.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

 1.     Through an examination of the American colonial experience, the student will identify reasons for the establishment of colonies in America, especially as regards England.

 2.     By investigating the development of the American government and politics, the student will identify differences between the Articles of Confederation and the US Constitution and analyze the Constitution’s impact on the new American government.

 3.     By observing the growth and division of early America, the student will trace American expansion resulting in our becoming a coast-to-coast nation.

 4.     By examining causes of sectional differences, the student will identify reasons for the American Civil War and its outcome.

 5.     Through an examination of post Civil War Reconstruction, the student will identify the successes and failures of the Reconstruction period.

REQUIREMENTS: The semester will consist of three exams, end of chapter questions due each week, one book review,  possible readings from the Internet &/or films ( and bonus point possibilities).

THE EXAMS: You will have three major exams this semester.  Each exam is worth 100 points and each exam will cover roughly one third of the semester. There are two sections.  The first is “Identifications” and come from terms on the board.  The second is the “Essay Questions” which include two or three major essays.  They are chosen at random but will come from the "Review Sheet" for that exam.  Also, I urge you to read the “ESSAY EXAMS, MY THOUGHTS” link on the main page to see exactly what I look for in your answers.  Now, about the length of your answers.  This scares people but I want you to shoot for a couple of pages for each essay question.  I promise, you will have been given plenty of information both from me and from the textbook, and you can always do research on the internet as a part of your studying for the exam.  I hope you will stay away from Wikipedia, however.

I urge you to read and re-read the statement on plagiarism, here. Also, read the section on plagiarism in the Student Handbook and the material on plagiarism found on the NWACC Library web page.  Remember, plagiarism, whether intentional or not, is considered cheating and you will receive an “F” for the course with caught cheating.

 THE END OF CHAPTER QUIZZES: After reading each chapter, answer the questions posed for that chapter listed in the "QUIZZES" link by the date posted. Each one is worth up to twenty (20) points (you will do fifteen total for 300 points). Do not forget these chapter quizzes. They are a crucial part of the total points for the class and are time sensitive.  You have an entire week to do each one.  Again, keep track of the due date for each quiz.  If you miss the quiz deadline, for any reason, you will receive a “0” for that quiz. 

The quizzes have multiple-choice questions.  In addition, you have the entire week to work on the chapter quizzes.  It is set up so that you can come and go throughout the week.  Just don’t hit the “submit” button until you are ready for me to receive it.  Also, hit the “save” button often and certainly at the end of each time you work on the quiz.  I only see it when you submit it to me.

BOOK REVIEW: This semester I am requiring a book review.  It will be worth 200 points so failing to turn one in could be the difference between passing the class and failing the class.  Choose the book you are to read from any of the Vol. I textbook chapter listings of books (at the end of the textbook in “Suggested Readings”). Just one book from any of the many books listed. Remember the time frame of the class when choosing a book; also, books less than one hundred pages will not be acceptable. Good writing skills will count on this review and it must be at least three full pages in content length.  When quoting, use the MLA style (you can find an explanation of MLA on the NWACC Library web page).  I have included a guide on the main page to show you how I want the format.  Just click on the “BOOK REVIEW FORMAT” link.

 GRADING: So, the point structure is as follows:

Three major exams, each worth 100 points for a total of 300 points; the fifteen quizzes are worth a total of 300 points, the Book Review portion is worth 200 points for a grand total of 800 points.

The breakdown is:

COURSE POLICIES:

ASSIGNMENTS/CHAPTER QUIZZES: Any assignment (such as a chapter quiz) given will be due, without exception within the time allotted. Failure to meet the deadline of each assignment will result in a zero "0" for that assignment.  Make-up work is not allowed for assignments missed. Take it from me, these assignments, if not overlooked, can do nothing but help. Each is intended to keep you on pace in the course, to allow you to open up a dialogue with other students in class, and to generate some much needed points for your total grade. Not submitting them, however, could be the difference between passing and failing this course. Again, because you have an entire week to do each one, I will not accept late work.

MAKE-UP EXAMS: Because I am who I am, it may be possible you will miss an exam.  You will have three course days to get in touch with me to schedule a make up exam.  The make up exam will be in a different format from the in class exam, but will be worth 100 points.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Application of the NWACC Honesty policy, as stated in the student handbook, will be fully adhered to in this course. Students caught cheating will be dealt with accordingly.  This includes plagiarism, which is cheating.  I urge you to read and re-read the plagiarism statement on the NWACC Library page.

CELL PHONES: Another hot button issue.  In the past, I have not had to address cell phones in the classroom, but, because of a problem last summer with an instructor and student, I am forced to bring it up.  A student was caught using the phone for answers to a test.  Obviously, this is cheating, and if done in my class, the student will receive an “F” for the course.  Added to this is the unbelievably annoying problem with texting while in class.  You may not understand if not lecturing yourself, but to be in front of class, attempting to stay on schedule and get everything said needed to be said, can be daunting.  Being sidetracked, thrown off, whatever, because someone is looking down texting and receiving texts, is beyond irritation and affects the class as a whole.  Therefore, if you have a cell phone with you, turn it off while in class, or, at the very list, switch it to silent.  You are only here for an hour and fifteen minutes.  Surely, nothing is of such monumental importance it cannot wait until class is over.  If you are in a crisis, let me know.  I’ll work with you.  But, normally, the phones cannot be out and used while class is in progress.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE: The Social Science Department follows our NWACC Student Handbook regarding proper steps to take should a grievance occur between fellow students, or the student and instructor. The first step in any grievance is to bring the complaint to the attention of the instructor. If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved, the student (and/or instructor) then contacts the instructor's Chairman.  As I am the Chairman, however, I will not have you come to me if you and I are in disagreement.  Please come to me first, as your instructor, then, if we cannot come to a resolution, you are to contact the Dean, Jerry Vervack, at jvervack@nwacc.edu.

ADA STATEMENT: If any member of the class has a documented disability and needs special accommodations, I will work with the student and Administration to ensure the student a fair opportunity to perform in this class.

BONUS OPPORTUNITIES: Check the "Bonus Opportunities" link frequently. There may be occasional readings assigned from the web that I will place in the “BONUS” link. I might even suggest a movie or two and provide questions for you to turn in after viewing the film. These would be optional and the questions will have a specific “bonus” point number assigned to them. Believe me, any time a teacher offers the possibility of bonus points, grab them! They can’t do anything but help.

CALENDAR: