SYLLABUS

HISTORY 2610.008 (United States to 1865)

Spring 2017

Instructor: Lowe

I. Purpose of Course

To acquaint you with the major events, individuals, and long-term trends in American history so that you will understand how the United States developed and evolved down to the end of the Civil War. (AND to fulfill your requirements)

  1. Readings (available in the University Store, listed under History 2610/Lowe)
  1. Textbook: America: A Narrative History, vol. 1. Read the textbook to keep up with the material covered inclass and to complete optional extra-credit outlines (explained below).
  1. Outside readings: Department Reader, vol. 1, available in University Store

A More Perfect Union, vol. 1, available in University Store

Specific readings will beassigned for each exam period.

III. Examinations

Three one-hour examinations (onFebruary 16, March 9, April 13). These exams are worth 20 percent (1st exam), 25 percent (2nd exam), and 25 percent (3rd exam) of your course grade.Notice that the first three exams last for one hour even though normal class time for lectures is longer. One two-hour final examination (Thursday, May 11, 8:00-10:00 AM) that covers material for the third and fourth exam periods (worth 30 percent of the course grade). Questions on these exams will be of three types: multiple choice, blanks, and short essays. Questions will be drawn from class lectures and discussions (mostly), the outside reading assignments (some), andthe textbook (as backup for lectures and readings). Grading system:

90 - 100 = A

80 - 89 = B

70 - 79 = C

60 - 69 = D

0 - 59 = F

IV. Office hours

Tues. and Thurs., 8:30-9:30 AM,or by appointment

Wooten Hall, room 244

E-mail: or telephone: 940-369-8931 (E-mail is more reliable.)

V. Makeup Examinations

Makeup examinationswill be given only if you have a legitimate reason for missing the regularly scheduled exam. If you must miss the final exam (and are passing the course at that time), you will receive a grade of I (Incomplete). Makeup exams for the first three tests will be given onFebruary 23-24 for exam #1, on March 23-24 for exam #2, and on April 20-21 for exam #3) in the History Help Center (Wooten Hall, room 220). The makeup exam will be different from the regular exam.

VI. Course Outlines

For outlines of the material that will be covered during the semester, go to the Blackboard page for this course. You will see “Course Outlines” or something close to that. Click there and then print out all fourteen outlines and take the outlines to class with you every day the class meets. These outlines show you which topics will be covered in class and in what general order, and they can serve as outlines for your own class notes. Caution: these printed outlines do NOT substitute for your own class notes, but they provide the structure around which you can organize your class notes.

VII. Extra Credit (optional)

You may outline four textbook chapters in longhand (i.e., handwriting) (three or more pages of outline per chapter) for each exam and turn in the outline by the day of the exam. If you do the outline correctly, you will receive three bonus points on your exam for the outline. (Ask for chapter numbers.) The outline should be in theindentedformatbelow. This format = required.

I.Major point

II.Major point

  1. Subtopic
  1. Subtopic
  1. Sub-subtopic
  1. Sub-subtopic

VII. Special Accommodations

Reasonable adjustments will be made to accommodate the special needs of students with disabilities.