History 201-005 Spring 2010
Dr. David La Vere T-R 3:30-4:45, Morton Hall
209
Office: Morton
Hall 233 Office Hours (Just drop
in during below times):
Email: lavered@uncw.edu Tues: 1:30-3:30; Thurs: 2:15-3:30, or by appt
UNITED STATES HISTORY TO 1865: FROM DISCOVERY TO CIVIL WAR
Blackboard: http://ncvista.blackboard.com
You
can find the syllabus and lecture assistance on Blackboard, an online UNCW Course Management System. You
will also be turning in your book exams electronically via Blackboard. That
means you must have access to a computer and the internet. It is essential that
you understand how Blackboard works. To log on to Blackboard, go to: http://ncvista.blackboard.com
or http://uncw.edu/itsd/help/instructions/BlackBoardVistaLoginInstructions.html.
Instructions for accessing a short
course on learning how Blackboard works can be found at http://people.uncw.edu/andersonsl/tutorials.html.
If you have problems with Blackboard or need help contact
TAC at TAC@uncw.edu
or call 910-962-4356 then press 1. You can access the syllabus through Dr. La Vere’s History Webpage: http://people.uncw.edu/lavered/index.htm
Books for
the Class:
The Enduring Vision, Vol. I - Boyer, Clark, et al (Text)
Celia,
A Slave – Melton McLaurin
Apostles of Disunion – Charles Dew
It’s
History, Not Rocket Science:
This class will provide a
general look at American history, from the early Indians 16,000 years ago to
the Confederate defeat at the end of the Civil War. I know that many of you may
have a bad feeling about the study of history or have had a bad experience in a
history class, believing it just dates
& names and the study of dead people requiring a lot of memorization. I
don’t claim to be able to change your opinion about the study of history, but
think I can show you a different look at our country’s past than what you’re
used to. And you might actually enjoy it, or at least find it somewhat
interesting. History is not just the story of kings or presidents, politics and
war. It is also made by everyday people, just like you. In fact, you’ve made
history every day of your life. What you wear. What you eat. Where you go. What
you watch on TV or listen to on your ipod. What you do with your computer. Even
how you wake up in the morning is all part of history. An African slave in
Charleston in 1700; an Englishwoman indentured servant in North Carolina in
1720; a Cherokee warrior in the Smoky Mountains in 1795; an Irish immigrant man
in Boston in 1840, and you are as much a part of our nation’s history as are
the exploits of George Washington or the firing on Fort Sumter. And we’ll look
at all of these. And it is much more than just dates and names. You’ll learn why things happened. Hopefully,
at the end of this class, you’ll come away with a different look and a greater
appreciation of what went into making the American nation during its early
years. And you might just have fun, too!
Tests
& Grading: 600 points
Ben
Franklin said there are only two things that are inevitable: death and taxes.
At the university, you can add one more: exams. I know you probably hate exams,
but they are a fact of life 
here and it will help if
you can just wrap your head around it. Do the work; study for them; follow
instructions; and you’ll be surprised at how well you can do. I don’t believe
in tricking students or giving trick questions. Everything is pretty straight
forward. However, I do want specific information on exams. Avoid generalities
and sentences that do not provide specific details. I really want you to show
me what you know and knowledge is in the details. Feel free to repeat the
information that you learned in class. So don’t be vague. Now, as you’ve
probably already figured, there is a total of 600 points you can earn for this
class. That is the top figure. You can probably earn more as I will offer you
the chance to earn up to 15 points of
extra credit, but these are earned
in 5 point increments and you usually earn them by going to evening talks and
lectures. They are actually fun to go to and you can even use them as a date
night. You’ll be tested on the three
books at 100 points a book. More information on these is given further down
on the syllabus. You’ll also have an essay
mid-term exam and an essay final exam. I always give you a selection of
questions on these, so you can have a choice of which one you want to answer.
There is usually a major essay question – I often give you two or three and you
pick one. There are also three short-answer questions (about a page each) – I
give you four or so and you pick three to answer. For these exams, you’ll need
to bring a “Blue Book” and a blue or black pen. You can purchase a Blue Book at
the campus bookstore. They are very cheap and some places even give them away. I
also give six (6) 20-point pop quizzes.
Don’t ask when will I give them as they will be a surprise. That’s what makes
them “pop.” Pop Quizzes are multiple-choice – 10 questions at 2 points each. Be
careful, as these cannot be made up. So if you are sick, in jail, at the beach,
at a wedding, at court, or whatever and miss the pop quiz, then that is it,
you’ve missed it. However, I do give you one free one, meaning I will drop your
lowest pop quiz grade, so only 5 of the 6 count for grades. So this adds up to
100 points. Use this free Pop Quiz wisely. And don’t blow off these Pop
Quizzes! Miss too many and it can really affect your final grade. So all
together, these exams add up 600 points. If you come to class, do the work,
turn it in on time, and do at least some of the extra credit, you’ll probably
do better in this class than you think.
·
THREE (3), 100-POINT BOOK EXAMS (300 pts)
·
ONE (1), 100-POINT ESSAY MID-TERM (100 pts)
·
ONE (1), 100-POINT ESSAY FINAL (100 pts)
·
SIX (6) 20-POINT POP QUIZZES (100 pts). LOWEST DROPPED.
CANNOT BE MADE UP
·
UP TO 15 EXTRA CREDIT
POINTS AVAILABLE – TO BE ASSIGNED
It is Easy
to Pass This Class and Even Get an “A”:
Like
I said, there are no tricks in this class. But if you just see this as
something to get through just to get a grade, then it might be more difficult.
But it you see it as something where you can learn something, acquire some
information and skills that will help you once you get out into the work world,
then you’ll do much better. First off, just like how it will be when you
graduate and get a job – you must come
to class and actually show up on time. Missing classes is the quickest way
to earn a bad grade. Much of what will be on the Mid-Term, Final, and Pop
Quizzes come from my lectures, so you want to be here whenever class is going.
Secondly, you actually need to do the
work. Blowing off a book exam or not showing up for the Mid-Term or the
Final is just class suicide. Third, you
must turn in your work on time, when it is due. Late papers lose a letter
grade for every day it is late. And Blackboard will prevent you from turning a
late paper, so that will mean you must turn it in physically to me and that
will mean it will be late and you have then lost a letter grade. You’ll find in
the work world, meeting deadlines is essential. So you might as well learn that
here before it costs you money. Fourth, you
want to be on time to class. Coming in late disrupts the class, especially
since I used PowerPoint in every class. So if you come in late too many times,
I’ll give you letter warning you and if you continue to come in late, you’ll
start losing letter grades on your final grade. Fifth, please take notes in class. Don’t just sit
there and listen. Taking notes and then transcribing them back in your room
will help you remember the information. You are free to use a computer in
class, but actually use it to take notes and not play games or surf the net.
Sixth, let me urge you to participate in
class discussions. You don’t’ have to agree with me and you can argue with
me. I love it. Students who ask questions, offer comments or insights, even
disagree with me in class do much better than if you are a shy, shrinking
violet who never speaks a word. The old adage “The squeaky wheel gets the
grease” works here and in the work world. And if you are shy, this is a good
place to overcome it. Finally, I urge you to come by and visit me in my office to discuss your work and the class.
Especially feel free to come by a few class periods before a book exam is due,
and after you have read the whole book, in order to see if you are on the right
track.
Learning
Skills That Will Help You in the World of Business
I
know, you’re wondering why do I put so much emphasis on good writing, spelling
correctly, and using correct grammar? You’re asking why I want you to discuss
in class? Because this is more than just a history class. Sure, you’ll learn
American history and why things
happened the way they did. But it is also a class in which you’ll learn
valuable skills that will help make you a success once you graduate. I’ve been
in the business world. I was a U.S. Marine for a few years. I spent several
years in
The Big
No-No!
I’m
pretty forgiving about a lot of things, but there are several things that can
easily earn you an “F” for the class. First, PLAGIARISM. That means stealing someone else’s work and not giving
them credit. That means cutting and pasting from the internet and putting it in
your paper. That 
means you and your friends getting together, coming
up with a paper and then turning in essentially the same paper. That means
quoting something from another source, but not using quotation marks (and I
don’t allow quotes in the book papers). Please check out the Student Handbook
for a good idea of what plagiarism is. If I catch it, then you and I will have
a meeting and begin the official plagiarism process, which usually means going
to see the Dean of Students. You can easily wind up with an “F” for the class
and possibly expelled from the university. Secondly, NOT TURNING IN YOUR WORK OR CONTINUALLY TURNING IT IN LATE.
Everything gets counted in this class and if you don’t turn in something, then
you get a 0 (zero) for that paper or exam. That can just kill your grade.
Turning in late papers hurts you as well. Meeting the deadline is part of the test.
You will not get the same grade as those who do turn in their paper on time. So
you lose a letter grade for every day your paper is late. It is late a letter
grade the moment the class is over and Blackboard closes the Assignment. Late
papers need to be typed up, signed by the History department secretary with
time & date you turned it in, then put in my mailbox in the History Dept.
DO NOT put papers under my office door. I DO NOT accept emailed papers.
Absences, Syllabus,
Final Exams, Cell Phones, & Computers
Absences. You are adults. As adults,
you know whether you need to be in class or not. I’m not going to chase you
down. You are either here or you’re not. If you are absent, it is up to you to
get the work you missed from one of your classmates. Do not ask me for it. I
won’t ask you for an absence excuse except in two instances: the mid-term and
final. If you miss the mid-term or final, then you must bring an excused
absence note on official doctor, health office, lawyer, or whatever letterhead.
If you can’t produce one, then you will get a 0 (zero) for that exam. See the Student
Handbook on Excused Absences.
Final Exam. The final exam goes on the
day and time set by the university: Tuesday, May 4, 3-6 p.m. (this classroom). Please be sure you know
when that is. Do not make plane reservations or any other plans that will cause
you to miss the final exam. I can’t give early exams or later exams, so don’t
ask.
Cell Phones. I know, everybody has a
cell phone. But for this class, turn them off when you come in the door or set
them to vibrate. All cell phones must be put away in your pocket, satchel, or
backpack. Do not pull them out in class or have them on your desk. If you need
to know the time, ask me. If your cell phone rings in class, you must stop it
and then I will ask you to sing your ringtone.
Computers. You may use a computer in
this class, but only for taking notes. If I catch you playing games, searching
the net, watching porn, or whatever, you risk being expelled from the class.
Syllabus. This syllabus is subject to
change.
WRITING GUIDE FOR CLASS 400-700 WORD
PAPERS
Please follow these instructions
when writing for this class. Not doing so will lower your grade.
Appearance. Typed, doubled-spaced, with a 1" margin all around. The
size and style of type should basically be the same as this syllabus. Type your
name, class, and date on the top left hand first page in single-space. Double
space down and type the author’s name, book title and publishing info. This
will serve as your paper title. Double space again and then start your
endeavor. Be sure to use Blackboard to submit your papers.
Type style. 12 point Courier New or 14 point Times New Roman.
Spacing. Single space your name, class, date
and book info, but double space the body of your paper. Do not quadruple
between paragraphs. The first line of a paragraph should be indented five
spaces. Use indented paragraphs.
Titles. Give me the title, author, and publication info – city,
state, press, & year. Book titles are always italicized. Example:
Gary C. Anderson, Little Crow: Spokesman for the Sioux.
No long Introduction
or Conclusion. You
don’t have much space in a 400-700 word paper. So get to the point. Your first
paragraph should start answering the question. No need for a big wrap-up
paragraph. You’ve already told me everything in the paper itself. You don’t
have space.
Write in compete
sentences and other instructions. You should have a
basic knowledge of grammar, syntax, and spelling. Use a dictionary, your computer's spell
checker, or go to the
Never use “I,” “You,”
“We,” or other personal pronouns.
No Quotes. Use your own words. I’m serious on this. Quotes will result
in a lower grade.
Tenses and voice.
This is history, it happened in the past, so use the past tense. When you write, avoid the
passive voice – which is different than the past tense. Write in the active voice. “He was
asking” = passive voice; “He asked” = active voice.
Avoid late papers.
You lose a letter grade for each day after the deadline. If you are late and you can’t find me, then
you must get a History Department secretary to initial your paper, put the time
and date on it, and then put the late paper in my mail box in the back hallway
of the History Dept. Not under my door! No emails.
Read your paper out loud before turning it in. It’ll make your paper better.
Length. 400-700 words (2-3 pages), double-spaced. You need to learn to edit
your papers and write to a certain length.
The Book Papers
On the designated day and by the designated time, you
will turn in your 400-700 word (2-3 page) book exam via Blackboard. The ability
to turn in papers via Blackboard will cutoff at 4:45 p.m. on the day the papers
are due. If you miss that, then your paper is late and you have already lost a
letter grade. If you are late, then you must then turn in the paper physically
(not emailed), but printed up and put in my History department mailbox. You
will continue to lose a letter grade for every day the paper is late after
that.
Please follow the above Writing Guide for your papers.
There is a definite format for your paper. NO COVER PAGES. Below is how it
should look:
Your Name
HST 201-007
Date
Dr. David La Vere
Karen Ordahl Kupperman,
[Briefly re-state the question and then begin to answer
the questions here. . . . Double space from this point on.]
Due
via Blackboard: Thur, Jan. 28, 2010, by 3:30 p.m.
Answer the following
two-part question: “According to Miller,
why did the
Celia, A Slave.
Due via Blackboard: Tues,
Mar. 23, 2010, by 3:30 p.m.
Answer the
following questions: “Who was Celia,
what happened to her, and what was her crime? What defense did her legal team
put forward at her trial? What made it so novel for the time? If accepted, what
did her legal defense theory mean for the slave-holding South (meaning what
“elemental assumptions within Southern society” did her defense threaten?"
Apostles of Disuion..
Due
via Blackboard: Thurs, April 8, 2010, by 3:30 p.m.
Answer the
following question: "As the Southern Secession Commissioners fanned out
across the South, what arguments did they use to try to convince other Southern
States to secede from the
HST 201 SPRING 2010 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
NOTE: Read the assigned section by the day on which it is listed.
Thur,
Jan 7 - First day, introduction.
Tues, Jan 12 – Early American Indian Societies.
Enduring Vision, Chapter 1
Thur,
Jan 14- Early European societies
Enduring Vision, Chapter 2,
p. 13-24,
Tues,
Jan 19 - Spanish Empire in
Enduring Vision, Chapter 2,
p. 24-27; Chapter 3, p. 54-57
Thur,
Jan 21 - The French & English Scramble for Colonies.
Enduring Vision, Chapter 2, p. 27-33
Tues,
Jan 26 – Jamestown & Virginia
Enduring Vision, Chapter 2 p. 27-31, Ch 3, p. 44-50
Thur, Jan 28 – Massachusetts and the Puritans.
Enduring Vision, Chapter 3, p. 34-44
Tues,
Feb 2 – Race Relations in the Colonies
Enduring Vision, Ch 2, p. 22; Ch 3, p. 47-50; Ch 4 p. 71-73
Thur, Feb 4 – Life in American Colonies
Enduring Vision, Chapter 4, p. 59-71, 76-79
Tues, Feb 9 - British-American Relations
Enduring Vision, Chapter 4, p. 71-75
Thur,
Feb 11 – British-American Relations, continued
Enduring Vision, Chapter 5
Tues, Feb 16 – Revolutionary War & Articles of Confederation
Enduring Vision, Chapter 6
Thurs, Feb 18 - The Constitution
Enduring Vision, Chapter 6, p. 125-130
Tues,
Feb 23 - Hamilton and the New Government
Enduring Vision, Chapter 7, p. 133-140
Thur, Feb 25 –
Enduring Vision, Chapter 7, p. 140-142
Tues, Mar 2 – John Adams and the Foreign Threat
Enduring Vision, Chapter 7, p. 142-154
Thur,
Mar 4 – MID-TERM EXAM
Tues,
Mar 9 & Thur, Mar 11 – NO CLASS.
SPRING BREAK
Tues,
Mar 16 – Republicans and the War of 1812
Enduring Vision, Chapter 8, p. 155-169
Thur, Mar 18 – Nationalism, Sectionalism, & Democracy
Enduring Vision, Chapter 8, p. 169-174; Chapter 9, p. 178-180
Tues, Mar 23 – Indians and Indian Removal
Enduring Vision, Chapter. 8, p. 165-166; Chapter 9 p. 178-180
Celia,
A Slave paper due on Blackboard. See syllabus.
Thur,
Mar 25 - The Market Revolutions: A New
Enduring Vision, Chapter 9, p. 180-186; Chapter 11, p. 213-218
Tues,
Mar 30 – Mid-19th Century Urban Life & Reform
Enduring Visions, Chapter 9, p. 185-191, Chapter 10, p. 202-211; Chapter
11, p. 218-229
Thur, Apr 1 – NO CLASS, EASTER BREAK
Tues,
Apr 6 - Rise of Andrew Jackson
Enduring Vision, Ch 10, p. 192-198
Thur, Apr 8 – Jackson & the 2nd American Party System
Enduring Vision, Chapter 10, p. 199-202
Apostles of Disunion paper due on Blackboard. See syllabus.
Tues, Apr 13 – The West and Manifest Destiny
Enduring Vision, Chapter 13
Thur,
Apr 15 – The South and Slavery
Enduring Vision, Chapter 12
Tues,
Apr 20 – The South and Slavery continued
Thur,
Apr 22 - The Road to Secession & the Civil War
Enduring Vision, Chapters 14
& 15
FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, May 4,
3-6 p.m., this classroom