Course Syllabus for History 1301 on the Internet (07/SP)
“History teaches everything, even the future.” –Alphonse de Lamartine
Instructor: Robert Glen Findley Office Phone: 335-6591
Office: Deaderick Hall 201 Home Phone: 362-7713
Office Hours: 8:45-11:00 MW, 8:45-9:30 TTh e-mail: findley_rg@mail2professor.com
or by appointment or gfindley@odessa.edu
Course objective: Study of the past tells us where we are, where we came from and, to a large extent, where we are going. The survey course(s) in United States history are designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge and understanding of our present institutions through the study of their past development. These courses should also provide the student with a better understanding of such germane disciplines as political science, sociology, philosophy, literature, and economics in addition to preparing the student for careers in teaching, government service, international relations and the law.
Expected learning outcomes: Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1) demonstrate adequate knowledge of U.S. history from the colonial period to 1877.
2) understand the development of American institutions during this period.
3) practice better citizenship due to an increased knowledge of the political, economic, and cultural developments of the United States during this period.
Textbook: Murrin et al., Liberty, Equality, and Power, 4th ed.
Course outline:
Unit One: Creating a Republic (Chs. 1-4)
Unit Two: Consolidating the Republic (Chs. 5-8)
Unit Three: The Dynamics of Growth (Chs. 9-12)
Unit Four: Dividing the Republic and Reconstructing a Nation (Chs. 13-17)
Examinations and quizzes: During the course of this semester there will be three unit examinations, an interpretive essay, and a final examination. The examinations will be administered on the following dates: 13 Feb, 06 Mar, 03 Apr, and 01 May. Each exam (except for the final) will be made up of forty objective (multiple choice, T/F, etc.) questions plus four short answer questions. You will have 90 minutes to complete the unit exams. There will be a five day window to take and complete the exam, but it must be completed in one sitting. The final exam will be made up of eighty objective questions and you will have 2.5 hours to complete it. The final will contain questions from the previous unit exams making it a modified comprehensive exam. There are no short answer questions on the final exam. Information regarding the interpretive essay will be posted later in the semester.
Examination make-up policy: Remember that making up a missed examination is a privilege and NOT a right! If you have to miss an exam, contact me for further instructions.
Grading policy: All examinations (and the essay) are equally weighted. The final course grade will be assigned based on the following averages: 90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, and below 60=F. Please note that once a course grade is assigned, it is final!!! The need to retain eligibility (athletic or otherwise), keep your scholarship, please your parents, get into law school, medical school, etc., may be important reasons to change a grade, but they are not valid. A final grade is just that—final. If you think that you are in danger of failing, drop the course!
Drop/withdrawal policy: Please note the last date to drop, or withdraw from, the course for this semester. It is Tuesday 10 April. This is solely the student’s responsibility. Drops/withdrawals initiated after that date will require the approval of the department chair and are usually granted in only the most extenuating circumstances (in other words, something other that failing grades).
Course conduct policy:
· Cheating will not be tolerated … suspected cheating may result in a reexamination in a controlled environment, a failing grade, or dismissal from the course … the option is with the instructor
· Nor will plagiarism … at best, plagiarism results in a failing grade … at worst, it can mean expulsion from the institution