HIST 111
U.S. HISTORY TO 1877

1. Catalog Entry

HIST 111. U.S. History to 1877 (A)
Three hours lecture (3).

Survey of national history from the Colonial Period through the American Revolution and early National Period through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis on economic, political and social developments as well as on the growth of the representative and democratic process.This course has been approved for General Education Credit in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Area of the curriculum.

2. Detailed Description of Course Content

The major topics covered in this course are those considered to represent the foundations of American history. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a broad background in American history prior to 1877. These topics, with various degrees of emphasis, are common to all recent textbooks written for an introductory course in American history.

1). Discovery and Settlement of British North America
2). Colonial economics, politics, society and religion
3). Coming of the American Revolution
4). The Revolution and the Confederation Period
5). Establishing the United States: The Constitution and the Federalist Era
6). The Jeffersonian Era and the War of 1812
7). The Jacksonian Era
8). Industrialization, Immigration and Reform
9). Expansion and Sectional Crisis
10). The Civil War
11). The Reconstruction Era

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The class meets three hours a week. A textbook is required by all instructors; each instructor has the option of selecting a different text. Additionally, some instructors require other readings. Teaching methods involve a mix of lecture and discussion. Generally large classes require a teaching methodology capable of reaching a wide variety of students. Visual aids emphasize maps and graphs, but other aids such as videotapes, slides and various forms of multimedia including the internet may also be utilized.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

A student in History 111 will be introduced to the major issues/problems that have confronted American society from the Discovery and Settlement of the New World to 1877. Students should develop an awareness of history's complexity and clearly see history's relevance to their own lives. Students in History 111 will develop a foundation for further study in history and in other disciplines.

Broad General Education Goals

• Students will develop the ability to think critically and creatively about ideas, issues, and problems not only through historical inquiry but also through the use of philosophy, science, technology, literature, humanities, and political thought.
• Students will be introduced to the wide variety of tools, methods, and data that are available for conducting historical research.
• Students will come to understand how evolving technology has historically helped societies to gather, interpret, consolidate, and refine knowledge and contribute to problem-solving.
• Students will develop an appreciation of the often collaborative nature of inquiry and problem solving.
• Students will acquire an historical perspective, permitting them to identify the personal and cultural values that shape decisions in public, professional, and private lives, both in the past and present.

Goals for Area 8 - Social and Behavioral Sciences

• Students will gain an understanding of the interpretive nature of history as a discipline and the critical skills involved in formulating theories, evaluating evidence, solving problems and posing questions through the use of primary and secondary sources.
• Students will develop an understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural factors that through time have shaped history by examining diverse cultures and ethnicities, describing change over time, and investigating the emergence of new ideas.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the diverse ways in which human relations have been structured across time and cultures by comparing societies.
• Students will acquire basic knowledge and skills, permitting them to apply social scientific methodology in evaluating and interpreting their own society and the societies of others.

5. Assessment Measures

Assessment measures may include any or all of the following: participation in class, writing exercises, oral discussions of readings, and testing that includes objective and/or essay questions on quizzes and examinations. All tests are structured to emphasize an understanding of ideas, concepts, and inter-relationships. Assessment measures are designed to evaluate student learning and progression towards the fulfillment of the general education program goals and the specific goals and objectives of the Social and Behavioral Science area as stated above in D.

6. Other Course Information

None.

7. Review and Approval

DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
January 2005 Reviewed and Approved by Charles McClellan