United States History to 1877

History 1301

General Course Syllabus (Internet only)

 

Textbook:                       The American Promise, 3rd edition

                                                Roark, Johnson, Cohen, Stage, Lawson, Hartmann

                                                ISBN 0312406878

 

Instructor:                     Rob Risko, MA

Office hours (A123):  11-12 MWF & 10-11 TTH, before/after class, or by appointment

                                                Phone: 903-675-6346

                                                E-mail: rrisko@tvcc.edu  (preferred)

 

Course Description:                                A survey is made of the American colonies, their struggle

for independence, the development of a political structure

and the formative years, the westward movement, the

growth of sectionalism, and the Civil War.  The social,

economic, and political trends are shown.

 

Method of Instruction:         WebCt based.  The course will be supplemented by on-line assignments, term paper, assigned readings when specified.

 

Method of Evaluation:           The course grade will be determined by four major tests, which includes a final exam, as well as on-line assignments.  Tests will cover textbook chapters as outlined,  on-line assignments, and all selected readings as assigned.  Each exam and will count for 16.6% percent of the class grade.  Your on-line assignments’ (15) average will also count as a single test grade at 16.6%.  The term paper will also count 16.6%.  Exams will include approximately 50 multiple choice, objective questions based off of the on-line quizzes.

 

On-line Assignments:            Students will complete open book on-line assignments, or quizzes, from the course website on WebCt which also function as your study guide.  Be advised that lack of computer ownership is not a viable excuse for failure to comply with the on-line assignments.  The LRC (at TVCC) maintains regular hours for work in the computer labs for those students who do not have access to a computer from their home.   Students need  to confirm their enrollment in the class by sending the instructor an initial e-mail.

 

Major Objectives:                                      1.  To acquire an understanding of history—the basic

framework from Pre-Columbian America to the present and how ordinary people acted and were acted upon by events and society.

2.  To develop positive attitudes toward learning, history,

                                                                and various American peoples.

                                                                3.  To gain factual knowledge (terminology, classifications,

                                                                methods, trends).

4.  To learn to apply course material to improve rational

                                                                thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.

5.  To develop a sense of personal responsibility (self-

reliance, self-discipline).

6.     To gain a broader understanding and appreciation of intellectual and cultural activity (music, science, literature).

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