History 101 Professor: Dr. Casas
Section 1002; MW 11:30-12:45 Office: WRI B 309
CBC-A108 Office Phone: 895-1544
Spring 2011 email: maria.casas@unlv.edu
Office Hours: MW 1:00-2:30; or by appointment or casasm@unlv.nevada.edu
U.S. History Survey to 1877
Course Objective:
This course is a general survey of American history from the pre-Columbian era to 1877. Using the categories of race, ethnicity, class, and gender we will discuss important social, political, economic, and cultural transformations and developments as experienced by all Americans. It will also include an examination of the United States Constitution thus satisfying the United States Constitution General Education requirement. The course will also develop students' analytical abilities and strengthen their writing skills.
Course Requirements and percentage making up the final grade:
5 quizzes 10% 50 points
Paper based on non-textbook readings (3-5 pages) 20% 100 points
Mid-term Exam 30% 150 points
Final Exam 40% 200 points
Both the midterm and final exams will cover material discussed in lectures and the textbook. I also reserve the right to show pertinent films when necessary, unless the class exhibits and articulates logical, and intelligent arguments against this prospect. If shown, material covered in the films may appear on the exams.
Objectives
*To teach students how to think historically through the subjects of race, class and gender.
*To strengthen students reading, writing, and critical analytical skills.
*To critically read and write with attention to evidence.
*To organize and write effective papers.
If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need to contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) for coordination in your academic accommodations. The DRC is located in the Reynolds Student Services complex in Room 137. Their number is 895-0866 (TDD 895-0652).
The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. YOU ARE INDIVIDUALLY AND SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLATIONS OF COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE LAWS. THE UNIVERSITY WILL NEITHER PROTECT NOR DEFEND YOU NOR ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEE OR STUDENT VIOLATIONS OR FAIR USE LAWS. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under University policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the University encourages you to visit its copyright website at:http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright.
A student missing a class assignment because of observance of a religious holiday shall have the opportunity to make up missed work. Students must notify the professor of anticipated absences by March 2 to be assured of an excused absence. Students who represent UNLV at any official extracurricular activity shall have the opportunity to make up assignments, but the student must provide official written notification to me no less than one week prior to the missed class(es).
Readings:
The following texts are required reading and are available in the UNLV bookstore:
Eric Foner, Give Me Liberty!, An American History vol. 1
Readings should be done within the week assigned. The textbook, Give Me Liberty!, has a Web site (www.wwnortonxom/fonert with study materials to help you in this course. Please use it and let me know if it is helpful or not, as it was one of the reasons I chose this particular textbook.
Quizzes:
There will be seven multiple-choice quizzes given on the textbook readings. Each quiz will consist of 15 questions and make-ups will only be given to students with a valid excuse for missing class. Only the five best quiz scores will be counted in recording your final quiz grade. Students must bring a scantron sheet with them for every quiz. Although there will be 15 questions on the quizzes, however, I will be using a scale of 10 so every time you take a quiz you have a chance of gaining 5 extra points on your quiz grade.
Examinations:
There will be two major exams, the mid-term and final, during the semester. Both exams will be essay exams. You will only answer one question but they will have to cover an extensive amount of material in order to do well on the exams. Make-up exams will only be provided to those with a valid written excuse for missing an exam. Please bring a bluebook or a Rebel book to class on the mid-term and final exam days, these exam booklets are free at the Student Government office in the Moyer Student Union. No bluebook will be needed for the quizzes.
Grades:
In calculating the final course grade, quizzes will count for 10%, the paper will count for 20%, the midterm will count for 30% and the final exam will count for 40%. Grades will be awarded on an absolute scale. There will be no curve. The scale is as follows:
A=93 and above B-=80 to 82 D+=67 to 69
A-=90to92 C+=77to79 D=63to66
B+=87to89 C=73to76 D-=60to62
B=83 to 86 C-=70 to 72 D-=60 to 62
F=60 to 00
Attendance and classroom manners:
1 do not take attendance for this course. As adults I assume you will fulfill the necessary responsibilities of showing up for class. But if I find it necessary to change any aspect of the course due to mitigating circumstances I will announce it in class; therefore, if a student fails to attend class on a regular basis and misses these important announcements, then the student must suffer the consequence. It is the student's responsibility to communicate and inform the professor of any issues or problems they are having in the course.
In terms of classroom manners and comportment, the professor will head and direct the classroom discussion. I will ask and elicit discussion but distracting conversation, personal conversations with other students, using electronic devises, especially cell phones, reading newspapers, doing your homework for other courses, etc., are all acts that I consider inappropriate and I will take necessary actions to stop these inappropriate behaviors. I will allow students to use laptops but they must be used only for taking notes, surfing the web is not appropriate and a distraction to other students. Inappropriate behavior is a distraction and disrespectful to other students. They too are paying for the privilege of taking this course; therefore, all students must behave and respect their fellow students, and instructors. In the end, the professor is the final judge of what is appropriate or inappropriate behavior.
Cheating or plagiarism
In plain English, if I catch you cheating you automatically get an F for the course. The following is the University's guidelines for Academic Dishonesty.
"If a student in a particular course is deemed by the instructor to be guilty of academic dishonesty, the student may be assigned a failing grade for the corresponding segment of the course or for the entire course. The faculty member may also initiate the disciplinary review under procedures described in the University and Community College System of Nevada document, Rules and Disciplinary Procedures for Members of the University Community. Disciplinary sanction options described therein include warning, probation, suspension, and expulsion. In all cases the instructor is responsible for recording the circumstances and for giving the student an opportunity to reply. Appeals go to the dean of the college offering the course, the Academic Standards Committee, and the provost."
Paper Assignment:
A majority priority of this course is to improve the writing skills of all students. Students will write 1 3 to 5 page paper during this semester. For the paper assignment the first draft of the paper assignment will be due early in the semester and students will have the rest of the semester to improve the paper. Students must show initiative and effort in rewriting and addressing the editorial comments made by the professor in order to receive a better grade on the paper. In order to help students improve their writing I highly encourage students to avail themselves of the services provided by the Writing Center (http://www.unlv.edu/Writing Center). In writing these papers please keep in mind that if you use the internet to help write your paper, the professor also has access to the same websites; indeed, professors are helped in their efforts to crack down on plagiarism, so students are warned that if they resort to using the web to plagiarize their paper the professor will be extremely harsh in dealing with the matter. Do not use Wikipedia, it is not an accurate source of information and needless to say one of the first places I will use to make certain that you do not plagiarize. If you use the web you must cite the website address in order to avoid both the charges of plagiarism and the professor's eternal wrath.
In order to help develop vital writing skills that every college graduate needs, I allow students to constantly revise their papers throughout the semester. You do not have to revise your paper. But for those students who wish to put in the effort and assure themselves a better grade then I will reward the effort; however, the burden of revision is on the student and it is up to them to turn in revisions in a timely fashion that allows me ample time to read and critique the paper. In other words, do not expect me to read and correct your paper within 24 hours, especially at the end of the semester. One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to students at the Writing Center, students should avail themselves of these services throughout their college careers.
Course Lectures:
Week One: Jan. 19
Course Introduction
Readings: Chapter 1: A New World
Week Two: Jan. 24- Jan.26
Readings: Chapter 2: Beginnings of English America, 1607-1660 Wed. Quiz#l
Week Three: Jan. 3 l-Feb.2
Readings: Chapter 3: Creating Anglo-America, 1660-1750
Week Four: Feb. 7-Feb.9
Readings: Chapter 4: Slavery, Freedom, and the Struggle for Empire to 1763 Wed. Quiz #2
Week Five Feb. 14-Feb. 1
Readings: Chapter 5: The American Revolution, 1763-1783 First Draft of Paper due on Wed. Feb. 16
Week Six:
Readings: Chapter 6: The Revolution Within
Wed. Quiz #3
Pres. Day-Feb. 23
Week Seven: Feb. 28-Mar. 2
Readings: Chapter 7: Founding a Nation, 1783-1789 Wed. Mid-Term Exam.
Week Eight: Mar. 7-Mar. 9
Readings: Chapter 8: Securing the Republic, 1790-1815 Wed. Quiz #4
Spring Break Week Mar. 14-Mar. 16
Week Nine:
Readings: Chapter 9: The Market Revolution Mar. 21-Mar. 23
Week Ten:
Readings: Chapter 10: Democracy in America, 1815-1840 Mar. 28-Mar. 30
Wed. Quiz #5
Week Eleven:
Readings: Chapter 11: The Peculiar Institution Apr. 4-Apr. 6
Week Twelve:
Readings: Chapter 12: An Age of Reform, 1820-1840 Apr. 11-Apr. 13
Wed. Quiz #6
Week Thirteen: Apr. 18-Apr. 20
Readings: Chapter 13: A House Divided, 1840-1861
Week Fourteen: Apr. 25-Apr.27
Readings: Chapter 14: A New Birth of Freedom: The Civil War Wed. Quiz #7 (U.S. Constitution quiz)
Week Fifteen May 2-May 4
Readings: Chapter 15: What is Freedom?": Reconstruction, 1865-1877
Final Exam Wed. May 11; 10:10-12:10