GENERAL INFORMATION

HIST 1301, Section 55002

United States History
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT
INFORMATION
Instructor: Nathan
Donohoe
Telephone: 214-860-2392
email and/or Fax:
ndonohoe@dcccd.edu
Office Location:
Office Hours:
COURSE INFORMATION
Course Number: HIST 1301
Section Number: 55002
Credit Hours: 3
Class Meeting
Time/Location: A752;
MTWR-11:10AM-1:10PM
Course Title: United States
History
Course Description:

COURSE SPECIFIC DATA

El Centro College, Dallas County Community College District

A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual

history of the United States from the pre-Columbian era to the Civil
War/Reconstruction period. United States History I includes the study of
pre-Columbian, colonial, revolutionary, early national, slavery and
sectionalism, and the Civil War/Reconstruction eras. Themes that may be
addressed in United States History I include: American settlement and
diversity, American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological
change, economic change, immigration and migration, and creation of the
federal government.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

Prerequisite: Developmental Reading 0093 or English as a Second

Language (ESOL) 0044 or have met the Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
standard in reading. AS A CORE COURSE: Students are required to
have demonstrated college level reading, writing and/or math skills.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. To examine social institutions and processes across a range of

historical periods, social structures, and cultures.
2. To develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for
contemporary social issues.
3. To understand the evolution and current role of the U.S. in the world.
4. To differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and
statistical) and differing points of view.
5. To recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of
historical evidence and social research.
6. To identify and understand differences and commonalities within
diverse cultures.
1. Identify the major reasons for the European expansion into the Western
Hemisphere in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries.
2. Explain the major causes and outcomes of the American Revolution.
3. Describe the differences between the economics, politics and religion
of southern and northern colonies.
4. Be able to define the major provisions of the United States

AND

Constitution.
5. Analyze the institution of slavery and the arguments for and against the
institution.
6. Describe the major events leading up to and the battles of the
American Civil War.
LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural,
and global forces on this period of United States history.

CORE COURSES AND

INTELLECTUAL
COMPETENCIES

1. Reading - the ability to analyze and interpret a variety of printed

materials - books, documents, and articles - above 12th grade level
2. Writing - the ability to produce clear, correct and coherent prose
adapted to purpose, occasion and audience - above 12th grade level
3. Listening - analyze and interpret various forms of spoken
communication, possess sufficient literacy skills or writing, reading above 12th grade
4. Critical Thinking - think and analyze at a critical level

COURSE OUTLINE

Essays must include facts, must write one full page. Must include in each
essay; Why important, Who was involved, When it occurred, Where it
occurred, What was the significant of the event or person.

RULES

Do NOT get up and throw trash away in the middle of class.

Do NOT leave class without permission, if you leave class you will be
counted as absent.
Do NOT talk while class is going on unless called upon.
Do NOT sleep in class, you will be counted absent.
Do NOT go to the bathroom during test, I will pick up your test if you do.
Do NOT make remarks during discussion that has nothing to do with the
subject at hand.
Show Respect for everyone in the classroom.
If you decide to stop coming to class, please be a responsible adult and
drop the class.
Do NOT be late, the door will lock and you will not be allowed into
class.

REQUIRED OR
RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND
MATERIALS

The American Journey ; 7th edition, Goldfield . A student of El Centro

College is not under any obligation to purchase a Textbook from a
university affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available
from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
#2 pencil, 1 scantron 882-E

EVALUATION PROCEDURES
GRADING SCALE

Will round up all final grades example 79.51 or higher will become an B.
A=100-90, B=89-80, C=79-70, D=69-60, F=59-0
Final grades as followed
A=100-89.5, B=79.5-89.49, C=69.5-79.49, D=59.5-69.49, F=0-59.49
4 Exams, 10 quizzes
10 quizzes throughout the semester. The first 5 quizzes will be added
together to make one grade. Each quiz is worth 20 points.
1 Quiz=20 points
5 Quizzes=100 points
4 Exams including the final. Each exam will consist of 20 true and false,
20 multiple choice questions, and 1 Essay. The Final exam will consist of
25 true and false, 25 multiple choice, and 1 Essay. All grades are equal in
weight.
1 paper, 6 pages in length, 12 fonts, APA format, and double spaced, not
included in the 6 pages a work cited or bibliography page. Must have 5
sources, 1 primary, 1 visual, 1 scholarly, and 2 other sources. Instructions
will be given out first day of class.

EXAMS AND ASSIGNMENTS

PAPER ASSIGNMENTS
Attendance Policy

Religious Holidays: A student who is absent from classes for the

observation of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an
examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that day within a
reasonable time after the absence if, not later than the fifteenth day after
the first day of the semester, the student notified the instructor of each
class scheduled on the date that the student would be absent for a religious
holy day. A religious holy day means a holy day observed by a religion
whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Section
11.20, Tax Code. The notice shall be in writing and shall be delivered by
the student personally to the instructor, with receipt acknowledged and
dated by the instructor or by certified mail, return receipt requested,
addressed to the instructor. A student who is excused under this section
may not be penalized for the absence, but the instructor may appropriately
respond if the student fails to satisfactorily complete the assignment or
examination.

Course Drop Date:

Withdrawal: If you decide you need to drop the class, I would

appreciate if you would discuss it with me so we can see if there is an
alternate solution to your problems. If you still decide to drop, you must
do this. I cannot withdraw students like instructors in
developmental/remedial studies may do. Failure to withdraw from the
class after discontinuing attendance usually results in an "F." The last
day to withdraw from this class is.. There is also the six drop limit for
your entire college career.

Schedule

6/8-6/11-Introduction, Ch1-4
6/15-6/18-Test #1; Ch 5-8; Rough Draft due 6/18
6/22-6/25-Test #2; Ch 9-12
6/29-7/2-Test #3; Ch 13-15; Final Paper due 7/2
7/6-7/9-Ch 16, Final Exam 7/9