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.

System Requirements

To take this course online you will need: Internet Access (the ability to send and receive email); A Browser, such as NetScape or Internet Explorer (the ability to access the worldwide Web); The required readings which you may obtain through the Mira Costa College bookstore or through Amazon online and if in stock any local bookstore; Approximately 10 hours per week for reading, writing and studying; The desire to learn history using the world wide web. For additional course information and technical requirements go to the cybercosta home page.

Course Requirements

As soon as you have registered for this class e-mail  me at the appropriate e-mail below.  Please provide your name and your correct e-mail address for the semester.

hist110@miracosta.edu  for Class Nbr #1968
hist110b@miracosta.edu for Class Nbr #1991

hist110c@miracosta.edu for Class Nbr #2935

The required readings for the Semester include Boyer, Enduring Vision and Gordon Rhea, Carrying the Flag.

In addition to reading weekly online lectures and assignments from the textbook, there will be two mid-terms and a final. Students will be replying to study and discussion questions from the online lectures on Blackboard ;(note: registered students follow the WebBoard link to create an account for access) reading and responding to replies of other students; visiting websites that apply to the topics under discussion for example a web site entitled The West by Ken Burns and Stephen Ives and PBS at http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest.

Evaluation

A final grade for this course is derived from three lecture exams (each 20 points); Black Board discussions with instructor and enrolled students (50 points); searching web sites (40 points); Novel book discussion/report (30 points); American Institution requirement assignment (15 points) and bonus points for completing the course (15 points) for a total of 210 points. The point value will be 200-180=A, 179-160=B, 159-140=C, 139-120=D.
Please note that you are earning points and not a percentage grade with each assignment. However, at the end of the semester the total number of points earned will then be assigned a letter grade.

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 conselor before opting for a Pass/No Pass.

All Students: Upon receiving your score for each of the assignments you are allowed to communicate with the instructor and challenge the points earned. However, you are to first read over your material and then provide historical evidence indicating that points earned were not recorded.

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 era from which a primary source derives
3. interpret the thesis of a secondary source
4. articulate the causal and/or consequential elements of an event from the era covered by the course

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 unforseeable, emergency and justifiable reasons at the end of the term, and only upon agreement of conditions for completing coursework.

Disability Accommodations: Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Disable Student Programs & Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accomodations are implemented in a timely manner. Their phone number is 795-6658 and they are located in Building 3000-Student Services, Room 3009, adjacent to Parking lot 3C.

Internet Access and Harassment: This class is conducted in a computer classroom/home, where where computers are connected to the Internet. Mira Costa College supports academic freedom, and consequently, there are no filters or other controls placed upon access to electronic content, either on the Internet or otherwise. While every effort is made to keep students on task, it is impossible to monitor every computer at MCC or at your home/office at all times. If you should find yourself subjected to offensive content, either sexual or otherwise, you should inform your instructor of this situation at first opportunity. Students have the responsibility to conduct themselves professionally at all times when interacting or commenting in a public forum.

Tentative Weekly lectures and assignments-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 asked after each topic and to provide a personal assessment/analysis for each topic.

Week 1- August 25-31   "Introduction to class and online students"

Week 2- September 1-7   "The First Americans and Clash of Cultures"

Week 3- September 8-14   "European Expansion"

Week 4- September 15-21   "The English Challenge and Settlement"

Week 5- September 22-28   "Puritanism"

Week 6- September 29-October 5   "Towards Independence"

Week 7- October 6-12   First Lecture/Textbook Exam

Week 8- October 13-19   "Independence Proclaimed"

Week 9- October 20-26   "American Institution requirement and discussion"

Week 10- October 27-November 2   "War of 1812"

Week 11- November 3-9   "Search for Consensus and the Two Party System"

Week 12- November 10-16   Second Lecture/Textbook Exam

Week 13- November 17-23   "Era of Expansion"

Week 14- November 24-30   "Mexican-American War"

Week 15- December 1-7   "Causes of the Civil War"

Week 16- December 8-14   "Carrying the Flag Book discussion"

Week 17- December 15-18   Final Week and the Last Lecture/Textbook Exam (Due December 18 by 8:00 a.m.)