HIST 1301 - COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Name / U.S. History to 1865 /Semester & Year
/ Fall 2010Instructor’s Name & Office #
/ Kevin Pitman940-479-8313 /
Office Phone # & Fax #
/ FAX 940-479-8448Instructor’s Office Hours
/ M-F 2:30-3:20 /E-Mail Address
/Catalog Description
/ A general survey of American history from the earliest discovery period through the Civil War and Reconstruction. This course is required for graduation and teacher certification.Required Texts & Material / America Narrative History, 8th ed. Tindall & Shi. Norton. ISBN: 978039392820
Learning Outcomes
/ Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:1) Describe Native American culture before the arrival of the Europeans.
2) Identify and describe the European background that stimulated interest in discovery, exploration, and the establishment of colonial claims in the Americas.
3) Compare & contrast the New World settlements of the Spanish, French, Dutch and English.
4) Describe colonial society on the eve of revolution.
5) Interpret the developments of British colonial policy in North America and assess the colonial responses to British policy.
6) Identify and describe how Americans won their independence from England and assess the problems operating our government under the Articles of Confederation.
7) Explain the philosophy, plans, and compromises that created our U. S. Constitution and identify the problems that President George Washington’s administration faced as the first federal government.
8) Differentiate between Jefferson’s Democratic Republican Party and Hamilton’s Federalist Party.
9) Describe the internal and external threats against Jeffersonian Democracy, which culminated in the War of 1812.
10) Assess the impact of the cotton and slavery markets on the economic development of the U. S.
11) Examine the controversies that embroiled the Northeast, the South, and the West in sectional disputes during the 1820’s and 1830’s.
12) Differentiate between the issues of states’ rights and strong central government.
13) Critically analyze the administration of Andrew Jackson.
14) Identify the reasons for the great surge of expansion which occurred between 1830 and 1850.
15) Compare and contrast the political, social, and economic events between 1850 and 1860 that led to the secession of the Southern Confederacy.
16) Analyze the Civil War in terms of its political, economics, social, and military impact.
17) Research and compose an essay assignment/argument using proper grammar/English and basic computer skills.
Grading Policy & Procedures / 10% Participation and discussion
15% research projects (2 projects 7.5% each)
25% 1st Examination
25% 2nd Examination
25% 3rd Examination
Tentative Calendar (Subject to Change w/o Notice) / Week of:
August 23rd – Intro to course, Expectations, Syllabus, Assign 1st research project, Chapter 1,
Ancillary Reading “1491” by Charles Mann
August 30th - Chap 2 &3
Ancillary Reading Mayflower Compact, Massachusetts Bay v. Anne Hutchinson; Sinners in the hands of an Angry God
September 6th – Chap 4
Ancillary Reading English Bill of Rights, Locke’s 2nd Treatise on Government, Albany Plan of Union
September 13th – Chap 5,
Ancillary Reading Declaration of Independence, Common Sense
September 20th– 1st Examination, Ch 6
Ancillary Reading The letters of John and Abigail Adams
September 27 – Ch 7
Ancillary Reading Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, Articles of Confederation, US Constitution
October 4th – 1st research project due,
Ch 8 and 9
Ancillary Reading Arguments for and Against a National Bank, Excerpts from the Journals of Lewis and Clark
October 11th – Chap 10,
Assign second research project
Ancillary Reading Marbury V. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland
October 18th – 2nd Examination,
Ch 11
Ancillary Reading Ordinance of Nullification, Nullification Proclamation, Nullifiers’ reply to President Jackson
October 25th – Chap 12
Ancillary Reading The Story of German Immigrants in America, The Irish in America
November 1st – Chap 13
Ancillary Reading Civil Disobedience
November 8th – Chap 14
Ancillary Reading The Life and Times of James P. Beckwourth, Polk’s request for war with Mexico
November 15th – second research project due,
Chap 15 and 16
Ancillary Reading Excerpts from Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Dred Scott v. Sandford, Taney’s Ruling
November – 22 – Thanksgiving Break
November 29 – Chap 17
Ancillary Reading Accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg ( Meade and Lee)
December 6 – Final Exam
Attendance Policy
/ Ponder ISD Attendance policies will be enforced. Excessive absences will directly and negatively affect the participation portion of the overall grade.ADA Statement
/ North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission or access to its programs. The College is committed to providing equal access to its students with disabilities by providing appropriate accommodations; a variety of services and resources are made available through the ACCESS Department. Students are responsible for notifying the ACCESS Department of their need for assistance. Students with documented disabilities, such as mobility impairment, hearing or visual impairment, learning, and/or psychological disorders are eligible for services.ACCESS Program:
The ACCESS Program provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. A disability is anything that can interfere with learning, such as a learning disability, psychological challenge or physical illness or injury. Accommodations may include extra time on tests, tests in a non-distracting environment, note taker in class, etc. On the Corinth Campus, contact: Robin Truhe (, 940-498-6207) or Penny Cogbill (, 940-498-6212) or Nicole Walton (, 940-498-6224 in Suite 170. On the Gainesville and Bowie Campuses, contact Yvonne Sandmann (, (940) 668-7731 ext. 4321) in Room 112.
Additional Resources
/ Student Success Center:The Student Success Center is designed to help all students at NCTC develop tools to achieve their academic goals. Students can attend free interactive workshops about Time Management, Study Skills, Test Anxiety, Choosing a Major, Learning Style Strategies, Career Exploration, and much more. This program also links students to FREE tutoring, including a Writing Center, a Math Lab, and free online. All students are invited to visit the Student Success Center located in Rooms 160, 170, 183, 188 in Corinth, Rooms 111 and 114 in Gainesville, and Room 124 in Bowie.
TRIO Program:
TRIO Programs are federally funded programs which offer services designed to assist students in achieving their academic goals. Services include educational workshops, academic advising, tutoring, personal counseling, career counseling, cultural enrichment, and financial aid information. Students may be eligible for TRIO if they are currently enrolled at North Central Texas College, have academic need, and meet at least ONE of THREE criteria which include: 1) first generation status—neither parent has graduated from college 2) income level is within federal low income guidelines, and/or 3) has a documented disability. TRIO is located in Room 170 on the Corinth Campus, Room 114 on the Gainesville Campus, and Room 124 on the Bowie Campus.
Students can also access the Department of Student Success’ website by going to www.nctc.edu and clicking on the red button in the middle of the page labeled “Tutoring and Other ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES”, or by going directly to http://www.nctc.edu/Student_Services/Access/AcademicandStudentSupportServices.htm
EEOC Statement
/ North Central Texas College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability in the employment or the provision of services.Scholastic Integrity / Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. See “Student Rights & Responsibilities: Student Conduct [FLB- (LOCAL)]” page 159-166 of NCTC Catalog.
Withdrawal Date / Students wishing to withdraw must notify the Registrar’s Office by completing a Petition for Course Drop. The last date to withdraw for this semester is November 12, 2010.