Email address, arevalos@miracosta.edu
Home page address, www.miracosta.edu/home/arevalos

Suggested Readings: Goldfield, AMERICAN JOURNEY, Vol. I Fourth Edition

Rhea, CARRYING THE FLAG

Course Description: In this course we cover the period from the origin of the United States to the end of Reconstruction. This course meets the American Institutions and History Requirement (taken with history 111) as explained in the Mira Costa College Catalog.

Evaluation:

A final grade for this course is derived from five Identification exams (each 20 points); three Lecture/textbook exam with date to be determined (60 points); one book report (30 points); bonus questions consisting of states and capitals (10 points); U.S. Declaration of Independence and Constitution readings (30 points); and 10 points for completing the course for a total of 240 points. No make-up exams are given. However, 15 points bonus can be earned with two or fewer absences beginning the second week of the semester. Please note you are earning points and not a percentage grade with each assignment. However, a the end of the semester the total number of points earned will then be assigned a letter grade. You will also have many opportunities to earn Bonus points during the semester that are not calculated into the Course Outline.

Grading scale is as follows:

240 - 216 = A 191-168 = C

215 - 192 = B 167-144 = D

Incomplete Grade: Students seeking an "Incomplete" grade must consult with me no later than the week prior to Finals. Incompletes will only be considered for some unforseeable, emergency and justifiable reasons at the end of the term, and only upon agreement of conditions for completing coursework.

You have the option to choose Pass/No Pass grading for this class. If you select this option, you must submit a Petition for Pass/No Pass to Admissions and Records. Once selected it is nonreversible. Check with your counselor before opting for a Pass/No Pass.

Students are responsible for withdrawal dates. Those failing to drop before the 75% attendance date will receive a letter grade.

I expect regular attendance.

Student Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. construct a historical thesis that could be supported by selected primary sources from the era covered by the course.

2. estimate the correct ear from which a primary source derives

3. interpert the thesis of a secondary source

4. articulate the casual and/or consequential elements of an event from the era covered by the course

Disability Accomodations:

A student with a verified disability may be entitled to appropriate academic accommodations. Please contact one of the following: your instructor, the Disabled Students Program and Services Office.

Harassment: If you should find yourself subjected to offensive content, whether sexual or otherwise you should inform proper authorties at first opportunity. Students and Instructors have the responsibility to conduct themselves professionally at all times.

Black Board Course Management System: If the Instructor is absent, the class will be conducted on Black Board using a discussion or assignment. Instructor will contact students when to access Black Board. Instructions will be given via the classroom or email.

Tentative topics and Textbook Readings-Each lecture topic will be an historical interpretation(s) which hopefully will create strong student responses. The idea is not to create conflicting views on controversial issues in American history, but rather to understand how these interpretations are made. We will also determine if these interpretations hold up to scrutiny. Students will be asked to respond to questions after each topic and to provide a personal assessment/analysis for each topic.

Topic: European Expansion-Chapter 1, pages 1-31 and Chapter 2, pages 35-61.

Topic: Early Settlements and English Challenge-Chapter 2, pages 35-61 and Chapter 3, pages 65-93.

Topic: Colonial Economic Expansion-Chapter 4, pages 97-126.

Topic: The Puritans-Review Chapter 2, pages 35-61.

Topic: Stability and Expansion through Government-Chapter 5.

Topic: French and Indian War-Review Chapter 4.

Topic: American Revolution and the Constitution- Chapter 6, pages 158-185, Chapter 7 pages 189-215.

Topic: The American Two-Party System-Chapter 8, pages 219-243

Topic: The War of 1812-Chapter 9, pages 247-273.

Topic: Era of Expansion (1800-1848)-Chapter 10, pages 278-303.

Topic: The Far West and Mexican-American War-Chapter13, pages 373-399.

Topic: Age of Enterprise-Chapter 11, pages 307-334 and Chapter 12, pages 335-368.

Topic: Causes of the Civil War-Chapter 15, pages 439-477 and Chapter 11, pages 307-332.

Topic: Reconstruction-Chapter 16, pages 481-509.

Topic: Early California History to 1876