AMH 2010: United States History to 1877

Instructor: Dr. Heather Bryson Course: AMH 2010Email: hbryson@valenciacollege.edu CRN: 20619Office: EC 1:321 Classroom: OnlineOffice Hours: M 1-2:00 Class Meetings: Online

T/TH 12 -3:30 W 3-5:00 (online) F 10-12:00 (online)

Course DescriptionThis course is a survey of early United States history, emphasizing political, social, and economic developments. Throughout, we will examine such topics as colonization, slavery, the American Revolution, the U.S. Constitution, the War of 1812, emancipation movements, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

Course Outcomes1. Students will be able to recall the principal persons, places, and events from the chronological framework of this course.2. Students will be able to synthesize the thematic historical influences that shaped the early history of the United States.3. Students will be able to explain the impact of the individual, regardless of societal rank, as participants in the making of history.4. Students will be able to assess the role that diversity plays in the shaping of the early history of the United States.5. Students will be able to detect the lessons, patterns or characteristics from historical events to better understand present day happenings. 6. Students will be able to interpret historical events by using appropriate historical methods.

Required TextbookOur required textbook is Give Me Liberty: An American History, Vol. 1, Brief Fourth Edition by Eric Foner.The textbook is available in a physical and an electronic form.Physical book:GIVE ME LIBERTY 4E BRIEF Volume 1

ISBN 978-0-393-92033-8Ebook:GIVE ME LIBERTY 4E BRIEF Volume 1 eBook ISBN 978-0-393-90630-1 http://books.wwnorton.com/books/detail.aspx?id=4294981957

Valencia Core CompetenciesValencia faculty members have defined four interrelated competencies (Think, Value, Communicate, Act) that prepare students to succeed in the world community. These competencies are outlined in the College Catalog. In this course, through lecture and discussion, group work, and other learning activities, you will further develop your mastery of those competencies. Additional information is available in the College Catalog: http://www.valenciacollege.edu/catalog.

Participation Regularity in online activity is vital to academic success. Students who fall behind in their work are subject to withdrawal by the instructor.

Withdrawal from the ClassClass attendance is required beginning with the first class discussion. If you do not contribute to the first class discussion, you will be withdrawn from the class as a “no show.” If you are withdrawn as a “no show,” you will be financially responsible for the class and a W will appear on your transcript for the course. Per Valencia Policy 4-07 (Academic Progress, Course Attendance and Grades, and Withdrawals), a student who withdraws from class before the withdrawal deadline of November 27, 2015 will receive a grade of “W.”

A student is not permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal deadline. Students are responsible for keeping track of grades and withdrawing before the deadline. Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F.”  The policy review can be found at: http://valenciacollege.edu/generalcounsel/policydetail.cfm?RecordID=75.

You should be aware that course withdrawals:• Will increase the cost of your education • May affect your financial aid status• May affect your transfer grade point average • May result in your having to pay the full cost of instruction fee to retake the course • May result in your being denied access to limited access programs • May affect your eligibility for the Honors Program • May affect your immigration status if you are attending Valencia on a nonimmigrant visa• Will result in your required repayment of course fees paid by a Bright Futures scholarship.

Student ConductValencia College is dedicated not only to the advancement of knowledge and learning but is concerned with the development of responsible personal and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia Community College, a student assumes the responsibility for becoming familiar with and abiding by the general rules of conduct. The primary responsibility for managing the classroom environment rests with the faculty. Students who engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in disruption of a class may be directed by the faculty to leave the class. Violation of any classroom or Valencia’s rules may lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from Valencia. Disciplinary action could include being withdrawn from class, disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, or other appropriate and authorized actions. You will find the Student Code of Conduct in the current Valencia Student Handbook.

Student HonestyAll forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive.

Internet Research StatementBecause of the variety of sources, ease of publication, lack of central control and proliferation of commercial information on the free Internet, it is often hard to tell if the information is reliable.  Many sites contain research and information of high quality.  However, unlike traditional print publications or library-based electronic resources, there is usually no process of peer review, nor is there an editor verifying the accuracy of information presented on the Internet.  There are an increasing number of sites containing information that may be incomplete, anonymously written, out-of-date, biased, fraudulent, or whose content may not be factual. Students should, therefore, use caution in use of the free Internet for their research needs.  For academic topics that are addressed in scholarly literature, use of electronic databases or visiting the library may better meet your needs.  However, each professor makes the final determination of what is or is not accepted as a valid source so review the syllabus for specific guidelines from your professor. See the following tutorial for more information: http://faculty.valenciacollege.edu.fl.us/infolit/evaluation/default.htm

Computer/Equipment UseUse of computers in the Business, IT, and Public Service classrooms at VCC is restricted to those activities designated by the instructor to enhance the class materials. Any other use is strictly forbidden. Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:

● Use of computer to send E-mail or access Internet sites not specifically assigned in class.● Use of computer for job, internship, homework or other activities not assigned in class.● Modifying any hardware or software system configuration or setting.● Activities not in accordance with the Valencia Student Code of Conduct

Use of computers in the departmental open lab is limited to those activities involved with preparing homework or coursework in this department and is subject to the same restriction as listed above. Computer use is remotely monitored; any student using computers inappropriately may be subject to dismissal from class or banishment from the lab. Subsequent offense may be sent to the campus administration for further disciplinary action.

Valencia ID CardsValencia ID cards are required for LRC, Testing Center, and IMC usage. No other form of ID at those locations will be accepted. Possession and utilization of a Valencia ID is mandatory in order to obtain these services.

Note to Students with DisabilitiesI am committed to accommodating students with disabilities. Please notify me early in the semester if you have a disability and require special accommodations. Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). The Office for Students with Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities.

Course RequirementsAll students will take part in course discussions, keep up with assigned readings, take quizzes on course readings, and complete one final research papers Our discussions will vary over the

semester – some will involve issues of race, gender, religion, class, and ethnicity. The expectation and requirement for this course is that all discussions remain respectful. If a student posts a disrespectful post, he or she will be warned. If the same student is disrespectful a second time, I reserve the right to drop that student from the course.

Grading100 percentQuizzes – 30% Participation – 40%Final Research Paper – 30%

Course Grading ScaleA 90-100B 80-89C 70-79D 60-69F 59 and below

Weekly ScheduleWeek One: Introductions and DiscussionOctober 7-11 Each student is expected to introduce her or himself (Hello, my name is

Heather) and post an image of an individual whose activism (whether through protest, boycott, art, poetry, or literature) impacted the course of United States history between 1877 and 2015. Tell us about your individual: in what time period and culture did they live, what impact did they have on American history, is their impact still felt today. Feel free to flip through the book or any website to select your person. Then – you are to comment on two individuals posted by your classmates (three to five sentences will do for this first week).The purpose of this exercise is to familiarize everyone with our online environment, our discussion board, the exercise of posting, and to make introductions. Our class discussions are 40 percent of your grade so we might as well become familiar with one another. This also gives everyone time to order the book.Original posts are due by midnight Friday (10/9)The responses to your peers are due by midnight Sunday (10/11)

Week Two: Exploration and Conquest, Colonization and ConflictOctober 12-18 Read Chapters One and Two: A New World and Beginnings of English

AmericaComplete quiz by midnight Friday (10/16)Respond to discussion prompt by midnight Friday, no less than 250 words (10/16)Comment on two others posts by midnight Sunday, no less than 75 words (10/18)

Week Three: Expansion of English Empire and the Evolution of Slavery October 19-25 Read Chapters Three and Four: Creating Anglo-America and Slavery,

Freedom, and the Struggle for EmpireComplete quiz by midnight Friday (10/23)

Respond to discussion prompt by midnight Friday, no less than 250 words (10/23)Comment on two others posts by midnight Sunday, no less than 75 words (10/25)

Week Four: The American Revolution October 26-Nov. 1 Read Chapters Five and Six: American Revolution and the Revolution Within

Complete quiz by midnight Friday (10/30)Respond to discussion prompt by midnight Friday, no less than 250 words (10/30)Comment on two others posts by midnight Sunday, no less than 75 words (11/1)

Week Five: The Founding of a Nation November 2-8 Read Chapters Seven and Eight: Founding a Nation and Securing the

RepublicComplete quiz by midnight Friday (11/6)Respond to discussion prompt by midnight Friday (11/6)Comment on two others posts by midnight Sunday (11/8)

Week Six: The Market Revolution and Democracy in AmericaNovember 9-15 Read Chapters Nine and Ten: The Market Revolution and Democracy in

AmericaComplete quiz by midnight Friday (11/13)Respond to discussion prompt by midnight Friday (11/13)Comment on two others posts by midnight Sunday (11/15)

Week Seven: Slavery and ReformNovember 16-22 Read Chapters Eleven and Twelve: The Peculiar Institution and An Age of

ReformComplete quiz by midnight Friday (11/20)Respond to discussion prompt by midnight Friday (11/20)Comment on two others posts by midnight Sunday (11/22)November 23-29 Happy Thanksgiving!Begin work on Final Paper!!Week Eight: Our Civil WarNovember 30-Dec 6 Read Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen: A House Divided and A New Birth of FreedomComplete quiz by midnight Friday (12/4)Respond to discussion prompt by midnight Friday (12/4)Comment on two others posts by midnight Sunday (12/6)Week Nine: Conflicts in the Wake of WarDecember 7-13 Read Chapter Fifteen: Reconstruction Complete quiz by midnight Friday (12/11)Respond to discussion prompt by midnight Friday (12/11)Comment on two others posts by midnight Sunday (12/13)Week Ten: Final Papers: Due Friday, December 18

Your final research paper is a 7-8 page research paper on any topic that covers American history from 1600-1877. The only requirement is that the topic is pre-approved and is in the form of a historical argument. * * * * * * All quizzes and discussion posts will be placed onto our class page on Mondays.

Important Dates

Drop/Refund Deadline: 11:59 p.m. October 13, 2015No Show Reporting Period: October 14-23, 2015Withdrawal Deadline: November 27, 2015Final Exam: Due December 18, 2015Final Grades Viewable in Atlas December 22, 2015

Disclaimer Statement This outline may be altered, at the instructor’s discretion, during the course of the term. It is the responsibility of the student to make any adjustments as announced.

Please let me know if you have ANY questions! We are going to have a great semester.