SHAPING AMERICA
U.S. HISTORY TO 1877
History 1301 – 21401 / 91429
STUDENT SYLLABUS
Fall 2013
Professor: Dr. Jim Dudlo Office: K211 – Brookhaven College
Office Hours: By Appointment
E-mail Address: jdudlo@dcccd.edu Office Phone: 972-860-4240
Welcome to an exciting approach to the study of United States History, Shaping America. This course
examines U.S. history from its pre-Columbian beginnings to the end of Reconstruction in 1877. The
information in this syllabus is designed to help you successfully complete this course.
Read this syllabus thoroughly and retain a copy for your future reference. The syllabus contains
valuable information about this online course.
Please note: The instructor reserves the right to modify any course requirements and calendar due
dates as necessary to effectively manage and conduct this online course. Students are responsible for
contacting the instructor and seeking clarification of any requirement that is not understood.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT:
● This course requires access to a Computer, the Internet, and E-mail.
● If you should have any technical difficulties, send an email to ecampus.support@dcccd.edu or call
972-669-6402. Also contact your professor concerning the technical problems you are experiencing as
well.
ONLINE ORIENTATION:
You must visit the online orientation at the course website in order to verify your enrollment in the course. You will
be provided a general overview of the course, specific details on the requirements for completing this course, as well
as other useful information on succeeding as a distance education student.
NOTICE TO STUDENTS:
This notice is to make you aware that alternative sources exist for purchasing textbooks.
A student of this institution is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from a college- or university-affiliated
bookstore. The same textbook also may be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
The Dallas County Community College District cannot guarantee the quality of textbooks purchased from other sources and cannot provide information regarding their pricing and refund policies.
REQUIRED BOOKS: There are TWO books required for this course.
Textbook: Roark, et al. The American Promise: A History of the United States, Volume I To 1877. 5th Edition, Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, 2012. ISBN #: 0312663137.
Student Alfers, Kenneth G. Student Course Guide for Shaping America: U.S. History to
Course Guide: 1877,Volume 1. For use with The American Promise, 5th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, 2012. ISBN #: 1457603799.
REQUIRED VIDEOS: You will be watching the series Shaping America. These videos are an integral part of this course and must be watched carefully if you are going to maximize
your learning experience and do well on your exams. Students are able to access the video
programs associated with each “Lesson” in the Student Course Guide through the
eCampus course website for free. Simply click on the “Lesson Videos” tab from the course
homepage and follow the posted directions.
Please contact Technical Support if you are having difficulty viewing the videos and notify
your professor as well.
These videos are also available in DVD format at the Brookhaven College Library.
History 1301:
I. Course Description/Objectives:
Prerequisite: Developmental Reading 0093 or English as a Second Language (ESOL) 0444 or
have met the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standard in Reading.
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.
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number: 54.0102.51 25
History 1301 Core Curriculum Intellectual Competencies:
Students will be able to:
1. Reading: Analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials — books, maps,
documents, and articles — above the 12 th grade level.
2. Writing: Produce clear, correct and coherent prose adapted to purpose, occasion
and audience — above the 12 th grade level.
3. Listening: Analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication and
possess sufficient literacy skills of writing and reading — above the 12 th grade level.
4. Critical Thinking: Think and analyze at a critical level.
History 1301 Core Area Exemplary Educational Objectives (EEOs): Students will be able to:
1. Examine historical, social, economic and political institutions and processes across a range of
historical periods.
2. Understand the evolution of the role of the U.S. in the world.
3. Differentiate and analyze historical evidence and differing points of view.
4. Recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of historical evidence and
research.
5. Identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures.
History 1301 Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs): 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.
COURSE FORMAT
The Student Course Guide for Shaping America is divided into four units as follows:
Unit I: Colonial America to 1760 – “A City on a Hill?”
Lessons 01-06 found in the Student Course Guide
Each “Lesson” will tell you what chapters/pages in the Textbook to read
Discussions: Introductions and #1, Essay #1, and Exam #1 are due by
the posted deadline
Unit II: Revolutionary America, 1754-1801 – “All Men Are Created Equal?”
Lessons 07-12 found in the Student Course Guide
Each “Lesson” will tell you what chapters/pages in the Textbook to read
Discussion #2, Essay #2, and Exam #2 are due by the posted deadline
Unit III: America in Transition, 1801-1848 – “Manifest Destiny?”
Lessons 13-18 found in the Student Course Guide
Each “Lesson” will tell you what chapters/pages in the Textbook to read
Discussion #3, Essay #3, and Exam #3 are due by the posted deadline
Unit IV: America in Crisis, 1848-1877 – “A New Birth of Freedom?”
Lessons 19-26 found in the Student Course Guide
Each “Lesson” will tell you what chapters/pages in the Textbook to read
Optional Extra-Credit Essay Due by the Early Completion Deadline
Discussion #4 and Exam #4 are due by the posted deadline
STUDY TIPS
The Student Course Guide is essential for the successful completion of this course. It provides
important information about each lesson, correlates the reading assignments and the video
programs, supplies invaluable “Lesson Focus Points” to direct your study, and includes a truly
representative “Practice Test” for each Lesson.
The Textbook describes significant developments in American history. To do well in this
course, you must read the appropriate Textbook assignments indicated in the Student Course
Guide.
The video programs provide visual and narrative information, as well as analysis of significant
developments by some of the nation’s leading historians. To accomplish the goals of this course,
you must thoughtfully view the video programs. Refer to the “Lesson Focus Points” when
viewing these videos.
The following study sequence will maximize your chances for being successful in this course:
1. Read the Lesson Overview, Learning Objectives, and Lesson Focus Points in the Student
Course Guide.
2. Read the assigned material in the Textbook, as referenced in your Student Course Guide.
3. Watch the video lesson and take notes as needed (i.e., connected to the Lesson Objectives
and Lesson Focus Points found in your Student Course Guide).
4. Answer the Lesson Focus Points in the Student Course Guide. (The majority of multiple-
choice questions you will see on any exam come from knowing these questions/topics
and their answers/details)
5. Complete the practice test and check your answers with the key in the Student Course Guide.
6. Participate in the ONLINE DISCUSSION FORUM for that Unit.
7. Write and submit a TWO PAGE ESSAY. (You will find the potential essay topics in the
Course Guide, under the “Enrichment Ideas” section at the end of each Lesson. You only have
to select one topic from any of the choices from the various Lessons for the specific Unit you are
covering.) Formatting and citation requirements can be found in both the Course
Orientation and Assignments section of the course site on eCampus.
8. Take the UNIT EXAM comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions.
Your professor is here to help you! However, since we do not meet in regular class sessions, you will have to
initiate contact via Email and/or Telephone. Please do not hesitate to contact your instructor when you have
any questions. I generally respond to emails within 24 hours. If you have not heard back from me within 24
hours, please do not hesitate to contact me again.
ASSIGNMENTS * GRADES * TEST SCHEDULES
Orientation Quiz: After reading the information contained in this Orientation, especially the Syllabus and Unit Essay Requirements, take the Orientation Quiz to ensure your
understanding of the most important details on how this course functions and my expectations of
you this semester. There will be 5 multiple-choice questions worth 2 points each for 10 total
possible points.
Online Discussions: Participate in five (5) online discussions, which will be posted on the course “Discussion Board.” These five discussions will carry 20 points each for a total of 100
points for the semester. The discussions are intended to help you understand the larger themes of
each of the Four Units you will be examined on and should be completed by their respective Unit
Deadlines. Late submissions will face point deductions relative to how far from their
respective deadlines they are posted. For each Unit Discussion I will post a discussion forum
prompt and each student is required to respond to the prompt in writing. Your grade will be
based upon your initial post and responding to your fellow students is not a requirement to
receive full credit for this assignment. However, should your initial post not meet my
expectations to receive full credit, I will consider any and all responses you make to your
classmates’ posts. Since I do read all of the threads and respond to some of them through private
e-mail and in some cases via the public forum, the idea is that this discussion is for the entire
class – so please complete them by their appropriate deadlines.
Essays: You are required to submit one essay for each of the first three units (three papers total). The topics for these papers must be taken from the “Enrichment Ideas” in the Student
Course Guide for Shaping America: U.S. History to 1877.
The formatting and citation requirements for these assignments can be found within both
the Orientation Section and the Essays Section on the Assignments Page found through the
menu on the course homepage.
Grammar and spelling will be considered when your paper is graded. Cite any sources you use
in your paper (ie…book, article, website, etc.). Failure to do so can result in a charge of
plagiarism, which has serious consequences beyond simply failing the assignment.
Plagiarism can also lead to failure of the entire course, being placed on academic
probation, and in some cases expulsion from the college. If you have any questions, please
contact the professor prior to submission. The papers are due by the respective Unit Deadlines
for Units I, II, and III. Each essay is worth 30 points for a total of 90 possible points.
Exams: Four exams, one on each Unit of study, will be given during the semester. Check the exam schedule provided later in this syllabus for the test deadlines. Each exam will cover the
assigned reading and the video programs. The 50 multiple-choice questions are keyed directly to
the “Lesson Focus Points” found in the Student Course Guide. Each exam will be worth 100
possible points and you will have a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the test.
Extra Credit: A total of sixty (60) extra credit points are possible to earn in this course. Any extra points you earn will be added to the total of your test points and your points accumulated
for your required written work when your final semester grade is computed. You will earn
THIRTY (30) extra points by completing ALL course requirements (5 Online Discussions,
3 Essays, and 4 Exams) by midnight on the evening of Monday, DECEMBER , 2013.
You may earn a maximum of THIRTY (30) extra points by completing one optional essay
for Unit IV (the same format as the required essays from the three previous units). This
will be due by midnight, Monday, DECEMBER , 2013 as well. No submissions will be
considered following this deadline. The possible activities are listed under “Enrichment Ideas”
in the Student Course Guide.
Online Discussion Grades (worth up to 20 possible points) are based on the following scale:
18 – 20 = “A” 16 – 17 = “B” 14 – 15 = “C” 12 – 13 = “D” 0 – 11 = “F”
Essay Grades (worth up to 30 possible points) are based on the following scale:
27 – 30 = “A” 24 – 26 = “B” 21 – 23 = “C” 18 – 20 = “D” 0 – 17 = “F”
Exam Grades (worth up to 100 possible points) are based on the following scale:
90 – 100 = “A” 80 – 89 = “B” 70 – 79 = “C” 60 – 69 = “D” 0 – 59 = “F”
Final Course Grades:
Semester grades will be assigned according to a 600 possible point scale:
540 – 600+ = “A” 480 – 539 = “B” 420 – 479 = “C” 360 – 419 = “D” 0 – 359 = “F”
ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE / DUE DATES
Orientation Quiz Deadline by September 2, 2013 (by midnight)
UNIT Course Guide
Lessons Covered
UNIT DISCUSSION(S), ESSAY, AND EXAM
Due Dates
I 01-06 September 23, 2013 (by midnight)
II 07-12 October 21, 2013 (by midnight)
III 13-18 November 11, 2013 (by midnight)
IV 19-26 December 9, 2013 (by midnight)
DECEMBER 2, 2013 for EXTRA CREDIT
MAKE-UP POLICY: All assignments will be made available during the first week of the
course. This should give you ample time to submit the assignments for any Unit. In extreme
circumstances, arrangements can be made for an extension. However, THE DEADLINE
FOR THE FINAL ASSIGNMENTS (DECEMBER 09, 2013) CANNOT BE EXTENDED.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw formally. The
withdrawal request must be received in the Registrar’s Office by Thursday, November 14,
2013. Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually an “F.” If you
drop a class or withdraw from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will
receive a “W” (Withdraw) in each class dropped.
STOP BEFORE YOU DROP
For students who enrolled in college level courses for the first time in the fall of 2007, Texas
Education Code 51.907 limits the number of courses a student may drop. You may drop no
more than 6 courses during your entire undergraduate career unless the drop qualifies as an
exception. Your campus counseling/advising center will give you more information on the
allowable exceptions. Remember that once you have accumulated 6 non-exempt drops, you
cannot drop any other courses with a “W”. Therefore, please exercise caution when dropping
courses in any Texas public institution of higher learning, including all seven of the Dallas
County Community Colleges. For more information, you may access:
https://www1.dcccd.edu/coursedrops
STUDENTS WITH FINANCIAL AID
If you are receiving Financial Aid grants or loans, you must show participation in this class prior
to the certification date (09/09/13) by either emailing or contacting the professor or logging on to
the eCampus course website. Do not drop or stop attending any class without consulting the
Financial Aid Office. Changes in your enrollment level and/or failing grades may have adverse
consequences.
In addition, please be aware that a failure to participate in the course following the Withdrawal
Deadline will result in you being assigned an “N” instead of an “F” which can have serious
repercussions for Financial Aid. For this course, Non-Participation will be determined if a
student has FAILED to submit ALL Assignments from Units I-III prior to the Drop
Deadline and attempted the Unit IV Assignments prior to the end date for the course.
REPEATING THIS COURSE Effective for Fall Semester 2005, the Dallas County Community Colleges will charge additional tuition to students
registering the third or subsequent time for a course. All third and subsequent attempts of the majority of credit and
Continuing Education/Workforce Training courses will result in additional tuition to be charged. Developmental
Studies and some other courses will not be charged a higher tuition rate. Third attempts include courses taken at any
of the Dallas County Community Colleges since the Fall 2002 Semester.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to provide guidelines for the educational
environment of The Dallas County Community College District. Such an environment
presupposes both rights and responsibilities. Disciplinary regulations at the college are set forth
in writing in order to give students general notice of prohibited conduct. Students should be
aware of disciplinary actions for all forms of academic dishonesty, including cheating,
fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and collusion. Your College Catalog
and the DCCCD Catalog contain the entire Student Code of Conduct, which is also on the
Internet at http://www1.dcccd.edu/cat0506/ss/code.cfm
Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form in this course whether
in the online discussions or essays. The first submitted assignment
that is found to be plagiarized will receive an automatic zero (0).
Any subsequent examples of plagiarism will result in a zero (0) for
all assignments within that specific Unit of study. Three or more
examples of plagiarism may result in automatically failing the
course or other disciplinary actions.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE
If you are a student with a disability and/or special needs who requires ADA accommodations,
please contact your college Disability/Special Services Office in Room S-124 or call 972-860-
4847 on the Brookhaven Campus.
STUDENT ABSENCES DUE TO RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE
Absences for observance of a religious holy day are excused. A student whose absence is
excused to observe a religious holy day is allowed to take a make-up examination or complete an
assignment within a reasonable time after the absence.
DISTANCE LEARNING DEGREE PLANNING AND ARTICULATION
INFORMATION You can earn a complete Associate of Arts or Associate of Sciences degree through distance learning by taking
college credit courses via television or “on-line” by computer over the Internet. Some courses may require on-
campus orientation and testing, while others will allow you to complete all of the work from your home or office.
While the content, credit and transferability for these courses are the same as for similar courses taken on campus,
the learning activities will vary depending on the type of delivery you choose. In addition, there are a number of
four-year colleges now offering the complete Bachelor’s degree by distance. We currently have articulation agreements with some of these colleges. Visit our web site at http://telecollege.dcccd.edu or call 972-669-6400 for
more information.
DISTANCE LEARNING SERVICES If you need general information, please call the Distance Learning and College Services number at 972-669-6401,
Mon-Thurs 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. & Fri 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. or leave a voice message for assistance. For information
on the web please visit us online at http://online.dcccd.edu/
STUDENT E-MAIL and CHANGE OF ADDRESS Legal privacy issues prevent me from discussing your work or your grades on commercial e-mail accounts. If you
wish to send your papers as attachments to an email, or if you have a question about your grade, you must open a
student e-mail account. The account is free. You may set it up by going to www.dcccd.edu and click on Student
Services, Online Services, and Student NetMail.
Notify the campus admissions office (in person or in writing) to change your address where you are enrolled. You receive grade cards, and other important information through the mail. It is extremely important that your phone
number is accurate so that your instructor can contact you when necessary.
COURSE CALENDAR:
Orientation Quiz: Take the Orientation Quiz no later than Monday, SEPTEMBER 2nd.
UNIT I
Participate in Discussion Forums: Class Introductions and Discussion Forum #1 for Unit I
Follow the Student Course Guide (Lessons 01-06) for the correct sequencing of Textbook
chapters to read and videos to watch.
http://online.dcccd.edu/
Submit Essay #1 based upon an Enrichment Idea from any of the Lessons within this Unit.
Formatting and Citation requirements are posted in the Essays section through the Assignments
tab.
Exam #1: Take Exam #1 by midnight on the evening of Monday, SEPTEMBER 23rd.
Exams are worth 100 points and are composed of 50 multiple-choice questions worth two points
each. The total time allowed for this examination is 75 minutes. You must stay within the time
limit allotted for this test or lose points on the exam. You may only take this test one time so
do be prepared. Please read each question carefully before you select an answer.
UNIT II Participate in Discussion Forum #2 for Unit II
Follow the Student Course Guide (Lessons 07-12) for the correct sequencing of Textbook
chapters and videos.
Submit Essay #2 based upon an Enrichment Idea from any of the Lessons within this Unit.
Formatting and Citation requirements are posted in the Essays section through the Assignments
tab.
Exam #2: Take Exam #2 by midnight on the evening of Monday, OCTOBER 21st.
Exams are worth 100 points and are composed of 50 multiple-choice questions worth two points
each. The total time allowed for this examination is 75 minutes. You must stay within the time
limit allotted for this test or lose points on the exam. You may only take this test one time so
do be prepared. Please read each question carefully before you select an answer.
UNIT III
Participate in Discussion Forum #3 for Unit III
Follow the Student Course Guide (Lessons 13-18) for the correct sequencing of Textbook
chapters and videos.
Submit Essay #3 based upon an Enrichment Idea from any of the Lessons within this Unit.
Formatting and Citation requirements are posted in the Essays section through the Assignments
tab.
Exam #3: Take Exam #3 by midnight on the evening of Monday, NOVEMBER 11th.
Exams are worth 100 points and are composed of 50 multiple-choice questions worth two points
each. The total time allowed for this examination is 75 minutes. You must stay within the time
limit allotted for this test or lose points on the exam. You may only take this test one time so
do be prepared. Please read each question carefully before you select an answer.
UNIT IV
Submit All Assignments (including Unit IV Discussion, Exam, Extra Credit Essay) by
midnight on the evening of Monday, DECEMBER 2, 2013 for a maximum of Twenty-Five
(25) EXTRA CREDIT points towards your total grade calculation.
Submit Extra Credit Essay based upon an Enrichment Idea from any of the Lessons within this
Unit. Formatting and Citation requirements are posted in the Essays section through the
Assignments tab. This is also DUE by midnight on the evening of Monday, DECEMBER 2,
2013. No late submissions beyond this deadline will be accepted.
Participate in Discussion Forum #4 on Unit IV
Follow the Student Course Guide (Lessons 19-26) for the correct sequencing of Textbook
chapters and videos.
Exam #4: Take Exam #4 by midnight on the evening of Monday, DECEMBER 9th. Exams
are worth 100 points and are composed of 50 multiple-choice questions worth two points each.
The total time allowed for this examination is 75 minutes. You must stay within the time limit
allotted for this test or lose points on the exam. You may only take this test one time so do be
prepared. Please read each question carefully before you select an answer.
THIS FINAL EXAM DEADLINE CANNOT BE EXTENDED AND MUST BE
COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE.
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