Standard

Posted: 05/08/08

R State Standard £ Institutionally Developed College: N/A

HIS 2111 – U. S. History I

Course Description

This course is a survey of U. S. History to 1877 to include the post-Civil War period. The course focuses on the period from the Age of Discovery through the Civil War to include geographical, intellectual, political, economic and cultural development of the American people. Topics include: colonization and expansion; the Revolutionary Era; the New Nation; nationalism, sectionalism, and reform; the Era of Expansion; and crisis, Civil War, and reconstruction.

Competency Areas	Hours
Colonization and Expansion	Class	5
The Revolutionary Era	D. Lab	0
The New Nation	P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Nationalism, Sectionalism, and Reform	Credit	5
The Era of Expansion
Crisis, Civil War, and Reconstruction

Prerequisite:

Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will be able to:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.

Colonization and Expansion		8	0	0
	Identify and evaluate the causes of European exploration of the New World from the late 15^th century to the early 17^th century.
	Analyze the social, economic, and political effects of the British empire on the American colonies to include the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.
	Assess the structure and long-term influence of European settlements on the New World and the effects upon the American Indians.
The Revolutionary Era		9	0	0
	Examine the status of European rivalries in the New World and the causes for revolution among the American Colonies.
	Understand and evaluate the multiple ideals and processes of the American Revolution to include: a. Political b. Economic c. Social d. Cultural.
	Assess how the new national and state governments were formed and their effects on American Society.
The New Nation		8	0	0
	Identify and evaluate the events and compromises that led to the formation of a new government.
	Differentiate between the Federalists and the Antifederalists
	Investigate the effectiveness of the presidents and other officials of the federal government in leading a New Nation.
	Assess the major foreign and domestic issues and conflicts experienced by the nation during this period.
Nationalism, Sectionalism, and Reform		8	0	0
	Examine the reasons for the emergence of nationalism and sectionalism during this period, and assess their impact on America.
	Examine the evolution of the American economy during the first half of the 19^th century.
	Identify key events, inventions and ideas to include the significant dates.
	Compare the economies of the North and South to include: a. Factors that caused the differences; b. The effects of their differences.
	Evaluate the roles and effectiveness of the reform crusade on mid-19^th century America.
The Era of Expansion		8	0	0
	Evaluate the extent to which the characterization of this time period as the “era of common man” is correct.
	Formulate reasons for the rise of the second party system in American politics.
	Assess the actions of Andrew Jackson in dealing with issues such as internal improvements, states rights, and Indian removal.
	Analyze American expansion through the major events of the time period to include: a. Texas issue; b. Mexican War; and c. Oregon controversy.
	Examine the results and impact of: a. Expansion of slavery; b. Politics; and c. Sectionalism.
Crisis, Civil War, and Reconstruction		9	0	0
	Evaluate the role of compromise and crisis in bringing about the Civil War.
	Assess the impact of Abraham Lincoln and the emergence of the Republican party in relation to the Civil War and secession.
	Analyze the major military, political, economic, and social events of the Civil War period.
	Establish the impact upon the Civil War in relation to the major military, political, economic, and social events.
	Examine reconstruction and assess its effectiveness.

Suggested Resources

Boydston, Jeanne, et.al. (2004) Making a Nation: The United States and It’s People. Volume I. (Combined Edition). Prentice Hall.

Cooper, James Fenimore. (1932). The Last of the Mohicans.

Cronon, William. (1983) Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England. (20^th ed.) New York: Hill and Wang.

Fenn, Elizabeth, A. (2001). Pox Americana: The Great Smallpox Epidemic of 1775-82. Sutton

Foner, Eric. (2008). Give me Liberty! An American History, One Volume. (2^nd ed.). W. W. Norton Publisher: Henrietta.

James, A. Henrietta and et.al. (2008). America’s History, Volume 1: To 1877. (6^th ed.) Bedford, Freeman, and Worth Publishing Group.

Mitchell, Margaret. (1939). Gone with the Wind.

Norton, Mary Beth. (2005). A History of the United States Volume 1: To 1877. (7^th ed.) Houghton Mifflin Publisher.

Sheriff, Carol. (1997). The Artificial River: The Erie Canal and the Paradox of Progress, 1817-1862. (1^st ed.). Hill and Wang.

Wilentz, S. et.al. (1995). The Kingdom of Mathias: A Story of Sex and Salvation in 19^th Century America. ( 1^st ed.). Oxford University Press: USA.

Posted: 05/08/08