U.S. Formative

Fall 1999

Saturday, 8-10:40

Room 210

Dr. Leslie Heaphy

Office: 310F

Phone: ext. 306

e-mail: Lheaphy@stark.kent.edu

Office Hours: MW 4-5 p.m.; TR 9-10 a.m. and S 11-12 noon

Or by appointment.

In this course students will explore the earliest history of the United States. Topics for exploration include things such as the colonial era, the Civil War, the American Revolution, the Salem Witchcraft Trials, the Great Awakening, etc. Students will be introduced to these topics through lectures, discussions, films and readings.

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

America, A Concise History, Vol. I by Henretta, Brody and Dumenil

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara

1 Map Quiz ……………………………. 10 points

3 Exams …………………………….. 100 points each

Paine Paper …………………………….. 40 points

Shaara Paper …………………………….. 40 points

Book Review and Presentation …………… 50 points

Class assignments and Participation ………. 60 points

Total: 500 points

A (Excellent Scholarship) 450-500 points (90-100)

B (Good Scholarship) 400-449 points (80-89)

C (Average Scholarship) 350-399 points (70-79)

D (Poor Scholarship) 300-349 points (60-69)

F (Failure) 299 and below (59 and below)

All students are expected to attend regularly and are responsible for all material covered even when they miss class. Class participation is expected and when you miss class you will lose points for your participation. In-class work cannot be made up if you miss these assignments and this will affect your participation points.

All three exams will be essay exams-short answer and longer essays. Dates for the exams are listed later in the course outline. Make-up exams are not automatically given but are at the discretion of the instructor. There must be some kind of emergency to grant a make-up and it is the student's responsibility to get in touch with the instructor as soon as they are aware of a problem before the exam (calling while the class is taking the exam does not work). All make-up exams will be done in the testing center and will be different from those taken in class. The test must be taken within one week of the original date scheduled.

Review #1

Review #2

Students will complete one map quiz on the date listed in the schedule. If you must miss the quiz will be sent to the testing center later that day for a make-up. You do not have to call, just go to the testing center and take the quiz before class the following week. After that all quizzes will be returned to the instructor.

Students will complete a couple of papers during the semester. Due dates and instructions will be handed out separately. Late papers will lose 3 points for every school day they are late (ie. If it is due on a Saturday and you hand it in on the following Tuesday it will lose 6 points). Papers can be sent by e-mail if necessary.

This year's campus theme continues from last year and is "Ways of Knowing." Events, speakers, discussions around campus have been designed to focus on this theme and students are encouraged to participate. You will hear this theme mentioned in class as we talk about how historians know.

The use of the intellectual property of others without attributing it to them is considered a serious academic offense. Cheating or plagiarism will result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course. Repeat offenses result in dismissal from the University.

Testing Center (Basement of the Library)

9/7-11/23 MT 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. Walk-ins

WR Closed

F 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Walk-ins

Writing Center (Room 202)

The writing center opens September 7^th. You are encouraged to make use of their services on all your writing assignments. Check out their web site as well for tutorials and other services.

All reading assignments are tentative and subject to change as the course moves along. Changes will be announced in class.

Week 1 Introduction and Background

Chapter 1 in Henretta

Week 2 Colonial Beginnings

Chapter 2 in Henretta

Map Quiz--9/11

Week 3 Political Developments

Chapter 3 in Henretta

Week 4 Coming of the Revolution

Chapter 4 in Henretta and Common Sense

Common Sense Paper due September 25th

Week 5 1^st Exam October 2nd

Week 6 American Revolution

Chapter 5 and 6 in Henretta

Week 7 New Nation

Week 8 A Developing Nation

Chapter 8 and 9 in Henretta

Book Review Due October 23rd

Week 9 Economic Growth and Expansion

Chapter 10 and 11 in Henretta

Week 10 2^nd Exam on November 6th

Week 11 Social Reform Movements

Chapter 12 in Henretta

Week 12 Coming of the Civil War

Chapter 13 in Henretta

Week 13 Crisis comes Closer

Chapter 14 in Henretta

Week 14 The Civil War

Chapter 15 in Henretta

Week 15 The Civil War

Killer Angels

Killer Angels paper due December 11th

Final Exam Week Exam on Dec. 18^th at 8 a.m.

Nearly every week students will be asked to complete a class assignment based on what the discussion and lecture were about. These assignments will involve writing and group work at times. Much of the work will be done in class but some preparation may be necessary in the week before class. These assignments are designed to engage students in the material and help them focus each week since we have a week between each class. Directions will be given out weekly and if you miss class you are still responsible for the material covered. If the assignment is done in class it cannot be made up.

Each student will write a 5 page, typed and double-spaced paper based on some theme or idea in Common Sense. All papers are due on Saturday, Sept. 25^th. All late papers lose 3 points for every day they are late. Students are not simply retelling the whole story but are going to choose a particular idea or theme to focus on and discuss. Some suggested themes are listed below but students are not limited to these ideas. All quotes, paraphrasing and ideas can be credited by simply listing the page numbers in parantheses unless you consult outside works. If other documents are used they must be listed in a bibliography as well.

Topic Ideas

• What fundamental human rights does Paine discuss?
• Who was Thomas Paine and why did he write this document?
• The influence of Common Sense in the colonies
• The reaction of the British to Paine's book
• Main theme of the book
• Imagery used in the book
• The influence and presence of religion in the text

Grading will be based on the following:

• Style and clarity
• Introduction and conclusion
• Thesis statement-clear and well-defined
• Proper citing of material
• Strong support from the text
• Strength of your argument
• Focus and organization

Each student will write a 5 page, typed and double-spaced paper based on some theme or idea in Killer Angels. All papers are due on Saturday, December 11^th. No late papers will be accepted since this is the last day of class. Students are not simply retelling the whole story but are going to choose a particular idea or theme to focus on and discuss. Some suggested themes are listed below but students are not limited to these ideas. All quotes, paraphrasing and ideas can be credited by simply listing the page numbers in parantheses unless you consult outside works. If other documents are used they must be listed in a bibliography as well.

Topic Ideas

• Historical Accuracy
• Focus on a particular officer and their role
• Importance of this battle in the war
• The experience of the common soldiers
• The role of the blacks
• The reasons each side felt they were fighting for
• The casualties of the battle-not just in numbers
• Main thesis

Grading will be based on the following:

• Style and clarity
• Introduction and conclusion
• Thesis statement-clear and well-defined
• Proper citing of material
• Strong support from the text
• Strength of your argument
• Focus and organization

Each student will read one book and write a review of that book for the class. The papers will be 3-4 pages, typed and double-spaced. In addition students will sign up to make a five minute presentation to class about their book on different dates throughout the semester. To receive a passing grade for this assignment you must write and present. If you do not present then you will fail this assignment. Books may be chosen from the list that follows. If you have another idea that is not on the list you are welcome to approach the professor for approval. All book choices must be made by September 18^th.

These are book reviews and not just a simple retelling of the story. Papers should address the following topics:

• Who is the author?
• The author's background--authority
• When was it written?
• What is the basic theme?
• How well supported is the theme? What kinds of support are used?
• Is the author convincing or are there questions left unanswered?
• Would you recommend this book to others--why/why not?

The paper is not a research paper and will be based on just the one book. All quotes, paraphrases and ideas can be credited by simply including a page number in parantheses. Failure to properly credit the material will result in an F for the assignment.

Book Choices