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History 109, Fall 2008
Villa Julie College, Stevenson, MD 21153
Marilyn Julius, Instructor
f-julius@mail.vjc.edu
Office: LRC #114; Phone: (443) 334-2289
Objectives | Materials | Assignments | Please
Welcome to our history! This course, the first half of Villa Julie's American history sequence, covers the years1492 to 1877. We will focus on two aspects of our nation's history over these centuries:
- Social History: History is so much more than dates and facts and the stories of presidents and wars. History is also about the everyday people who built our nation, fought in our wars, and lived out their private lives in the context of the public events of their times. These ordinary Americans will be one primary focus this semester.
- The Idea of Freedom: History is also more than the sum of our nation's economic, political, social, and cultural past. History is about ideas. And so the theme for this course is freedom, one of the biggest ideas of all. Some questions to consider:
- What exactly does freedom mean?
- How has our interpretation of this cherished value changed over our country's history? Freedom for whom? Freedom from what?
- And how have we reconciled the concept of freedom with that other American ideal, equality?
We will consider these questions over the course of the semester, and maybe you will be surprised at your own thinking on the subject of freedom. Let Freedom Ring!
Catalog Description
The goal of this course is to familiarize students with the major personalities, events, and ideas related to the development of the United States up to 1877. The course will look at the settlement and development of the American colonies, the American Revolution,the Civil War and Reconstruction, and will look as well at the collision of cultures and ideas that led to the formation of early America. Prerequisite: ENG 151 or equivalent (May be taken concurrently). Fall semester. Three credits.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this course, you will be able to
- Demonstrate your knowledge of historical periods, person, events, ideas, and themes in U.S. history 1492 to 1877 (discussion board, reading journal, self-tests, essays).
- Demonstrate your understanding of the concepts of historical causation, conflict, and change over time. (essay tests, discussion board)
- Analyze the changing interpretations of freedom and equality during the course's time period (final essay)
- Read, interpret, and evaluate primary sources (reading journal)
- Write clearly about history (discussion, journal, essay tests, final essay)
In Class :
As you can see from the chart below, class participation is important, worth 20% of your grade. Each day that you come to class unprepared, fail the quiz, or are absent, you will loose one percent of this grade . NOTE: You will not be held responsible for class work with excused absences and may have 2 unexcused absences.
- Day 1: Road Trip
On this day we will cover some distance through a quiz on the assigned chapter and through lecture and discussion. To prepare for class , you should read the textbook assignment thoroughly enough to pass a 10-question multiple choice quiz.
- Day 2: Road-side Attraction
On this day, we will slow down for a side trip to learn more about some particular aspect of the time period we are studying. To prepare for class, you will usually have a primary source or other reading explore.
- Weekly Liberty Journal: Due Sunday midnight
By Sunday midnight (or earlier!) of each week you will post your Liberty Journal entry on our class web board -- your take on the meaning of freedom during this time period as you've thought about the week's chapter and class work.
Give Me Liberty! by Eric Foner. SEAGULL EDITION
Avaliable at the College Store.
Evaluation:
On individual assignments you may receive a numerical or a letter grade. Numerical grades are recorded on a grade book spreadsheet according to the following scale:
| Letter | Numerical equivalent |
A+ |
98 |
Final Grade : After all grades are in, your final grade is determined by the new Villa Julie grading scale shown below with no second guessing on the teacher's part! What is, is.
VJC |
Julius Rounding |
|
93-100 |
A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F |
92.5-100 |
Be prepared. Some days you may be asked to write about the reading at the beginning of class or to read your reading response aloud. Some days you may have a quiz. You should always be prepared to discuss readings and topics aloud.
Be prompt . Turn in all work on time. Grades on late assignments will disappoint you (papers are devalued one letter grade per class period except in the case of documented absences for illness requiring a doctor's visit, a court appearance, a death in the family).
But wait! You do have one safety valve. One assignment may be turned in one week late. Tests may be made up only with a documented excuse: from a physician, hospital, court, or other verifiable documentation
Be honest with yourself and with me about your attendance, class preparation, and assignments. Document your papers correctly (plagiarism or cheating will result in failure of the course) . Also, be candid. Honest feedback will help me fit the course to your needs and desires.
Be open-minded. Expect a lot. Get involved. Be curious. Have fun, too!
And don't forget to write!
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Villa Julie College , Marilyn K. Julius
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