HI 111A

United States History i (TO 1877)

 

Washburn University

Fall 2009

10:00-10:50am, MWF

 

Instructor:             Dr. Alan Bearman

Office:                   Mabee Library, Room 204

Phone:                   (785) 670-1179 

E-mail:                   alan.bearman@washburn.edu

 

Secretary:              Mrs. Ginger Webber

Office:                   Mabee Library, Room 204

Phone:                   (785) 670-1179

 

Office Hours:       Monday :  1:30-3:30pm, and by appointment.

                In addition, Bearman is frequently available for lunch, particularly on Mondays and Wednesdays around noon, but also on other days with enough advanced notice.  He enjoys having students eat with him on such occasions in order to discuss the class, to become better acquainted or to simply share with him in the solving of the world’s problems.

 

                Additional assistance in the study of history is available at the following link: http://washburn.libguides.com/history

 

I. Texts

Required:

 

1.       Edmund Morgan, The Puritan Dilemma: The Story of John Winthrop 3^rd edition (Longman, 2006).

ISBN:  978-0321478061

 

2.       Joseph Ellis, Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation (Vintage, 2002).

ISBN: 978-0375705243

 

3.       Allen Guelzo, Lincoln: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2009).

ISBN:  978-0195367805

 

4.       Gary Nash, Red, White and Black: The Peoples of North America 4^th edition (Prentice Hall, 1999).

ISBN:  978-0139567568

 

5.       Peter Kolchin, American Slavery: 1619-1877 (Hill & Wang, 2003).

ISBN:  978-0809016303

 

6.       John Meacham, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2009).

ISBN:  978-0812973464

II. Catalog Description

 

The basic survey of American history from the origins of settlement through the Reconstruction era, which introduces students to the study of the past and familiarizes them with records of American experiences.  It exposes students to political, economic, social and intellectual forces shaping the American heritage and contributing to the nation’s development. 

 

Course counts for Social Science General Education credit.

HI 111A Syllabus, Fall 2009, Pg. 2

 

III. Purpose

 

Aristotle said: “If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.”  Thus, you now know the significance of this class.

 

An additional objective:

 

To emphasize the skills of a traditional education in the humanities: Thinking, writing, and speaking, comparatively and analytically regarding the importance of history.

 

IV. Course Requirements

 

Points:  250 possible total points, distributed as follows:

                Essay 1 = 10 points

                Essay 2 = 10 points

                Essay 3 = 10 points

                Essay 4 = 20 points

                Essay 5 = 30 points

                Essay 6 = 30 points

                Final Comprehensive Examination = 100 points

                Attendance and participation = 40 points

 

1. The Final Examinations requires you to write multiple essay’s, with your answers written in university Blue Books.  Additional instructions regarding the exam format and specific procedures are forthcoming.   

There is no make-up available if you miss the examination without prior permission. 

If you will be absent because of university approved business you must notify me in advance.  Extreme sickness related absences will be dealt with on a case by case basis but be advised you must have a valid excuse from a medical professional before I will discuss your situation.  Be advised that make-up exams will be all essay in format, and graded in an extremely vigorous fashion.

2. You will write 6 reviews of the required texts for the semester.  Additional instructions are forthcoming, but please note.  NO LATE PAPERS ARE ACCEPTED.
3. Attendance and participation is required in this course.  Be on time to class because tardiness will count as an absence.  I do not expect this course to be a dull sixteen (16) weeks where all we do is memorize ‘stuff!’  The story of America is exciting, understanding the world we live in today means thinking about the history of the United States.  Come to this class prepared to think!  Also, come ready to participate—I will randomly call upon people to stand and answer questions from the readings.  Turn off all pagers, cell phones, and any other modern devices that might interrupt class because if yours goes off in class I will ask you to leave and count you absent for the day.  Do not bring a laptop computer to class because using them to take notes is annoying to other students and to me.  

Let me be clear about attendance: A fourth absence will result in a loss of 25 points from your grade, a fifth absence will cost you 40 points, and a sixth absence will result in your automatic failure of this course.  Attendance is critical to your performance in this class.

4.     Students should be aware that it is the responsibility of the University Registrar to report final grades, and thus the instructor will not post them in any form at the conclusion of the semester.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HI 111A Syllabus, Fall 2009, Pg. 3

 

The Grade break down will be as follows:

A = 225 – 250

B = 200 – 224

C = 175 – 199

D = 150 – 174

F = 149 or below

 

V.                  Professional Habits for the Novice Historian

 

1.                   Date all communications and other materials.

2.                   When taking notes, write on one side of the card or paper only.

3.                   Automatically italicize or underline book titles.

4.                   Provide source, date and page number for all documentation.

5.                   Provide geographical/historical context for all discussions, verbal and written.

6.                   Form the habit of evidential thinking.  That is, learn to think like a combination of a detective and a trial attorney in terms of providing evidence and making a case.  Learn how to interrogate your sources properly and effectively.

7.                   Always give maximum attention to detail!

 

VI.                Historical Thinking Includes

 

a.       Knowledge and use of the historical-geographical context.

b.       Documentation.

c.        Critical evaluation of the sources, evidence, and/or interpretations.

d.       Organization of your work in a clear, logical, and convincing manner.

e.        The use of sound communication skills to convey your ideas and insights to your readers.

 

VII. Schedule of Assignments and Activities

(Subject to revision as deemed necessary by the instructor)

 

Important Dates:

August                   17           Introduction and Orientation

                                21           The Library for History students                      Meet in Mabee Library, Room 206

                                24           Reading and Writing History

28           Discussion I:  Red, White and Black

September             2              Essay 1 due

                                7              No class: Labor Day

                                11           Discussion II:  The Puritan Dilemma

                                16           Essay 2 due

                                28           Discussion III:  Founding Brothers

October                  2              Essay 3 due

                                9              No class: Fall Break

                                16           No class: Bearman at professional conference

                                19           Discussion IV:  American Slavery

                                23           Essay 4 due

                                30           Discussion V:  American Lion

November             4              Essay 5 due

                                13           Discussion VI:  Lincoln

                                18           Essay 6 due

                                25-27     No class: Thanksgiving

                                4              Final Lecture

Tuesday, December 8        Final Examination            9:00-11:00am

 

 

HI 111A Syllabus, Fall 2009, Pg. 4

 

Lectures:              

 

1.             The Collision of Cultures                                  

2.             England and Its Colonies                                  

3.             Mercantilism                                                       

4.             Colonial Life                                                       

5.             Puritanism                                                            

6.             The Great Awakening                                        

7.             The Duel for North America                             

8.             The Road to Revolution                                                   

9.             Becoming American                                          

10.          The American Revolution                                

11.          The Confederation                                             

12.          The Constitution

13.          The Federalists and Hamilton                          

14.          The Jeffersonian Persuasion                            

15.          Mr. Madison’s War

16.          Nationalism and Sectionalism                         

17.          Jacksonian Democracy                                     

18.          The Dynamics of Growth                                 

19.          Immigration and Organized Labor                 

21.          The Second Great Awakening                         

22.          Romanticism and Reform                                

23.          Manifest Destiny                                                

24.          The Old South: An American Tragedy           

25.          The Crisis of Union                                            

26.          Religion and the Civil War                

27.          The Civil War                                                      

28.          Reconstruction                                                    

 

VIII. Some Thoughts about University Life

1.       The university is a “community of learning” made up of professors and students.  This is the historic and best definition of a “university.”  In this environment, your professor’s main tasks are to act as your critic and guide.  This will become increasingly apparent as the semester progresses as he critiques your work and acts as your professional guide through the wilderness of humanity’s historical past.

2.       Keep in mind that historians stress critical thinking and are mainly interested in causation, relationships and consequences.  In particular, they are interested in who, what, when and where, but even more in how and why.  In this manner, they seek to impose order on what has gone before.  In other words, the essence of the historian’s task is to make sense out of the past.  Almost all of the aforementioned skills lend themselves to coping with the great issues in the most important areas of human existence:  religion, politics, law, education, economics and social theory.  In sum, historical thinking is the best way to learn the critical skills necessary to become a successful member of your chosen profession and a useful member of society.

3.       Since most university graduates become professionals in some field, it is well to keep in mind what makes a professional.  The three marks of a true professional are:

A.            The more you know, the more you know.

B.            Attention to detail.

C.            Mistakes matter–and professionals learn from them!

 

 

HI 111A Syllabus, Fall 2009, Pg. 5

 

 

IX. Thought for the Semester

 

“I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such: because I think a General Convention necessary for us, and there is no Form of Government but what may be a blessing to the People if well-administered; and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a Course of Years and can only end in Despotism as other forms have done before it, when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other.”

       

From the 81-year old, Benjamin Franklin’s closing speech at the Constitutional Convention.

X. Copyright Statement

 

The lecture and certain other instructional materials presented in this course are copyrighted.  Reproduction of class notes for commercial purposes without the express permission of the copyright holder is prohibited. Copyright, 2009.  All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HI 111A Syllabus, Fall 2009, Pg. 6

 

XI. UNIVERSITY ADDITIONS – COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Select Mission of the University:

Washburn University shall prepare qualified individuals for careers, further study and life long learning through excellence in teaching and scholarly work.  Washburn University shall make a special effort to help individuals reach their full academic potential.  Washburn University Board of Regents, 1999

 

Academic Misconduct Policy:

All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and ethically in their academic work.  Inappropriate and unethical behavior includes (but is not limited to) giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of papers or other assignments, or knowingly misrepresenting the source of academic work.  Washburn University’s Academic Impropriety Policy describes academically unethical behavior in greater detail and explains the actions that may be taken when such behavior occurs.  For guidelines regarding protection of copyright, consult

www.washburn.edu/copyright/students. For a complete copy of the Academic Impropriety Policy, contact the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center Suite 200, or go on-line to:  

www.washburn.edu/admin/vpaa/fachdbk/FHsec7.html#VIII

 

Disability Services:

The Student Services Office is responsible for assisting in arranging accommodations and for identifying resources on campus for persons with disabilities.  Qualified students with disabilities must register with the office to be eligible for services.  The office MUST have appropriate documentation on file in order to provide services.  Accommodations may include in-class note takers, test readers and/or scribes, adaptive computer technology, brailed materials.  Requests for accommodations should be submitted at least two months before services should begin; however, if you need an accommodation this semester, please contact the Student Services Office immediately.

 

Location:  Student Services, Morgan Hall Room 150

Phone:  785-670-1629 or TDD 785-670-1025

E-Mail:  student-services@washburn.edu

 

Students may voluntarily identify themselves to the instructor for a referral to the Student Services Office.

 

Center for Undergraduate Studies and Programs (CUSP):

As a Washburn student, you may experience difficulty with issues such as studying, personal problems, time management, or choice of major, classes, or employment.  The Center for Undergraduate Studies and Programs (Office of Academic Advising, Educational Opportunity Program, and Office of Career Counseling, Testing and Assessment) is available to help students either directly through academic advising, mentoring, career counseling, testing and developing learning strategies or by identifying the appropriate University resource.  If you feel you need someone with whom to discuss an issue confidentially and free of charge, contact CUSP in Morgan 122, 785-670-1299, advising@washburn.edu. 

 

Withdrawal Policy:

During fall and spring semesters, students may withdraw from full semester courses through the second week of class with no recorded grade.  From the third through the eleventh week a “W” is recorded for any dropped course.  Beginning with the start of the twelfth week, there are NO withdrawals, and a grade will be assigned for the course.  For short-term or summer course deadlines, please check the appropriate Semester/Session Course Bulletin Web Site (www.washburn.edu/schedule)

 

Official E-Mail Address:

Your Washburn University e-mail address will be the official address used by the University for relaying important messages regarding academic and financial information and the University will consider this your official notification for important information.  It may also be used by your instructors to provide specific course information.  If you prefer to use an alternate e-mail address to receive official University notices, you can access your MyWashburn e-mail account, choose the "Options" tab, and select "Settings", scroll to the bottom of the screen and enter the e-mail address you would like your Washburn emails forwarded to in the “mail forwarding” area.  Click on save changes.  This will complete the process of forwarding your Washburn e-mail.  It is your responsibility to ensure that your official e-mail box does not exceed your message quota resulting in the inability of e-mail messages to be accepted into your mailbox.