COURSE MATERIALS: Required Text: Kennedy, David M., Lizabeth Cohen, The American Pageant, 15th Edition (Cengage). ISBN13: 978-1-133-95967-0. We will be using the 15th edition of this text in paperback, but previous editions of this text are acceptable. While the textbook will provide the framework for lectures and discussion, much of the material for this course will come from class lectures and outside materials. In order for you to be successful in this course, you will need to attend every class, and have the ability to take good class notes.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a survey of U.S. history tracing the political, social, economic, and cultural development of American ideals and actions from the Pre-Revolutionary Period through the Civil War Era.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- Identify the changes in European society which stimulated the exploration and colonization of the Americas.
- Compare and contrast the complex experiences, contact, and confrontations of Native Americans and Europeans.
- Discuss the colonial experiences in North America with an emphasis on colonial struggles and diversity, and of the beginnings of slavery.
- Describe the political philosophy and events that led to the American Revolution, as well as the writing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution and its connection with federal, state, and local government.
- Examine the nature of political debate in the early consideration of the Articles of Confederation, the bill of rights, religious liberty, states’ rights versus republican government, and the notion of popular sovereignty.
- Summarize the development of nationalism and sectionalism, and the consequences they had prior to the Civil War.
- Analyze the significance of immigration, relations with Native Americans, and slavery in making the United States an ethnically diverse country.
- Examine the various forces supporting and opposing American expansion into Louisiana, the Texas Annexation, the Mexican territories, and the Oregon territory.
- Describe the factors contributing to the admission of California, the first California Constitutional convention, the role of California and the debate over slavery.
- Discuss the various waves of European and Asian immigration including German, Irish, Spanish, Scandinavian, and Chinese, and the factors contributing to the emergence of ethnic communities in the United States.
- Analyze the factors that contributed to the entrenchment of slavery in the United States and the political challenges posed by this institution to the United States.
- Recount the factors leading to the Civil War, various interpretations of its causes, and the significance of the Civil War and Reconstruction at the time and for the future.
- Assess the 19th century roots of today’s political, economic, social and cultural issues.
- Understand how our diverse and conflicting past affects the present recognizing the relevance of history for our lives today.
- Use the knowledge of U.S. history to help in making choices for our democratic nation and society as good citizens.
- Demonstrate the ability to synthesize events, recognizing cause-effect relationships, and summarizing findings.
- Understanding and appreciating the complexity of the factors, events, and personalities combining to shape the past.
- Supporting generalizations with concrete historical evidence, analyzing casual relationships, and drawing relevant conclusions.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES;
- Critical Thinking: Analyze and evaluate major historical issues and judge their significance to the development of American History from western expansion to the present.
- Global Awareness: Recognize and articulate how past events are interconnected throughout the world.
- Personal/Social Responsibility: Recognize and articulate the many struggles and accomplishments of different cultural groups from past events.
- Students will be able to assess a source document as either primary or secondary and contextualize the document within its historical era in order to judge its value.
