Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "HS 280"
COURSE NAME: "The American Experience I: From the First Colonies to the Closing of the Frontier"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lanzone Andrea
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30-12:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday-Thursday 15:00-17:00

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the history of the

United States of America

from the Founding of the first Colonies to the Closing of the Frontier. The emphasis is on those experiences – political, social, economic, religious and artistic- that have shaped the nation and its people. Although the approach will generally be chronological, an attempt will be made to trace the impact of certain particular experiences and ideas on later generations. Special attention will be paid to such topics as the wilderness and the frontier, the colonial period, the struggle for independence, the American Revolution, the Civil War and to such ideas as the Puritan ethic, the pioneer spirit, Democracy and Freedom, Slavery, the “American Identity” and the “American Dream”. Particular attention will be also placed on the interaction between Europeans, Americans and Native Americans.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Indigenous America

The Age of Explorations

Early Colonial Period

Colonial Society and the Duel for North America

War for Independence

Confederation and Constitution

Second War for Independence

Jeffersonian / Jacksonian Democracy

Forging the National Economy

The Ferment of Reform

The Slavery Controversy

Manifest Destiny

Renewing the Sectional Struggle

The Road Toward Disunion

The Civil War

The Ordeal of Reconstruction

The Gilded Age

Industries and Cities

How the West was won/How the West was lost

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This American Experience 1 provides the student with an introductory and general understanding of United States of America in terms of historical events, social systems, economic processes and ideologies. One of the aims of the course is to enhance student's skills in critical thinking and reading. To this end, students shall investigate one key event in the history of the United States of America. Group discussions will be a central part of the course structure.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
A people's History of the United States of America	Howard Zinn		0060838655

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm exam		15%
Paper		20%
Final exam		25%
Attendance and Participation		40%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B: This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.

There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D: This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.

Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
More than TWO absences will have a negative effect on the grade, the more absences, the negative-er the effect.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE