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SYLLABUS
THE
FORGING OF AN AMERICAN NATION, 1783-1865
HI224
EASTERN
NAZARENE
COLLEGE
.
Instructor:
Dr. Randall Stephens
Spring, 2006
Tues.: 8:00-9:15
Credits: 3
Location: Old Colony, 103 |
Office:
Cameron Center, Room 104
Office Phone:
(617) 847-5815
Office Hours: Tues., Thu, 10:00-12:00; or by appt.
Email: randall.stephens@enc.edu
Web: www.enc.edu/history/forging_nation.html |
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT
This is the second course in a four period
sequence in American
history. It will survey the history
of the United States from its inception as an independent nation
through
the crisis of the Civil War. Major topics and themes include: the
Constitution and the New Republic, the first industrial revolution, the
relationship of Indian people to the new nation, Jeffersonian and
Jacksonian
democracy, American society and culture, westward expansion, slavery,
sectionalism,
reform, and war. A number of historiographical interpretations
will
be emphasized to better help students understand the critical debates
and
key issues
surrounding this era.
TEXTS (Available at the ENC campus bookstore)
*John Mack
Faragher, Mari Jo Buhle, Daniel Czitrom, and Susan Armitage, Out of Many: A History of the American People, Vol. I
* Joseph Ellis, Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary
Generation
* Paul E. Johnson and Sean
Wilentz, The Kingdom of Matthias: A
Story of Sex and Salvation in 19th Century America
* Bertram Wyatt-Brown, Southern Honor: Ethics and Behavior in the
Old South
* Thomas McMahon, McKay’s Bees
*Other reading assignments
will be posted
on the web
or handed out in class
EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Students will be evaluated on how well they
identify and explain the significance events, terms, and individuals of
the era and on the basis of their reading, writing, and thinking
skills. Students are expected to read all assignments and come
ready to discuss these in class. Always be prepared; I may call
upon you at any time. Look at the webpage discussion questions for assignments and
direction: www.enc.edu/history/forging_nation_qs.html.
Those who fail to keep up with the reading will do poorly in this
course. Participation and attendance is required of each individual and
will figure into the overall grade. (Obviously, if one does not
attend or read the assignments, one cannot participate.)
Two tests will be administered over the semester involving multiple
choice, short answer, and essay questions. More information on
these will be given out prior to each exam. In addition,
unannounced pop quizzes may be given occasionally at the beginning of
class. These quizzes will cover the most recent reading
assignments and the lecture material. (Always take good
notes. Not all lecture material will be included in your
text.) Those who arrive late or fail to attend class will not be
allowed to retake quizzes or tests, unless, of course, a written
medical excuse can be provided.
In addition to a satisfactory evaluation of this work
based on content, you are expected to demonstrate competence in English
composition and
grammar. Students will complete several writing
assignments. All must be typed and double-spaced. Sets of
discussion questions will be posted on the web: www.enc.edu/history/forging_nation_qs.html.
You must answer five sets of questions over the semester. These
will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Your answers to each of the
five sets of questions should 1.5 pages. These are due in class
on the day that the reading is assigned. Additionally, students
will write one major (4-5 pages) and one minor (1.5-2 pages) book
review. Book reviews will be based on the supplemental
books. (Review questions and a guide to writing reviews will be
placed on the web.) These assignments must be handed in during
class on the day they are due. Reviews will lose 5 percentage
points for each day they are overdue. No writing assignments will
be accepted via e-mail.
Boston is a city with many cultural resources. There are dozens
of museums, and historical sites within a few short miles of the ENC
campus. Students must attend at least one lecture and one museum
or historical site in the area relating to the course material. A
list of suitable area lectures will be marked with an * at: www.enc.edu/history/boston_lectures_06_07.html.
A list of sites and museums in the area is also available at: www.enc.edu/history/studying_history.html.
Students will then write 1.5-2 page summaries of the lecture and site
visit. Two extra credit papers, based on additional lectures or
excursions, may be turned in as well.
Finally, a note on proper behavior and academic honesty. Talking
with fellow classmates, eating, doing other work, reading newspapers,
leaving cell phones on, walking out early or arriving late all reflect
poorly on you as a student and will hurt your overall grade.
Cheating and plagiarism are even worse and will not be tolerated.
Be advised: ANY instance of cheating on tests, essays, or other
assignments will result in immediate discipline and possible failure of
the course. For more on this fascinating topic, please refer to the ENC
history dept. guidelines concerning academic honesty: www.enc.edu/history/stephens.plagiarism.html.
Those who are guilty will be caught. Incriminating evidence is
only a Google™ search away.
GRADING
2 Exams 15% each
------------------------------------ 30%
5 Short Response Papers
----------------------------- 15%
1 Long Book Review Essay
------------------------- 15%
1 Short Book Review Essay
------------------------- 10%
1 Paper reviewing a historic site or museum ------- 5%
1 Paper reviewing an area lecture
-------------------- 5%
Participation, Attendance, and Pop Quizzes ------- 20%
A = 100-94; A- = 93-90; B+ = 89-87; B = 86-84; B- = 83-80; C+ = 79-77;
C = 76-74; C- = 73-70; D = 69-60
Failure to complete any of the assignments will
obviously result in
a significant lowering of your total grade. If this all seems too
daunting, remember that the last day to drop a course with no penalties
is Feb. 7.
SCHEDULE
OF READINGS & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(All readings are to be completed on the day they are listed.)
WEEK 16 - FINAL EXAMS
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