Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

Course Description:

Historical survey of the European colonization of North America and of the United States through Reconstruction.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret primary and secondary sources and to compose an argument which uses them, as appropriate, for support.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of U.S. History through current analytical categories of race, class, gender and ethnicity.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of America’s growth in a global context.
  • Explain the major economic, technological and scientific developments and their historical significance.
  • Analyze major political trends, attitudes, conflicts and events—including both mainstream and reform efforts—and explain their historical significance.
  • Explain the major social and cultural developments, their causes and effects, and their historical significance.

Course Content:

  • Native American societies and cultures prior to European arrival.
  • European colonization and its impact on Native America.
  • Establishment and maturation of diverse colonial settlements and populations.
  • Colonial policies and imperial rivalries in North America and their implication for settlements.
  • The American Revolution
  • The formation of the United States government from the Articles of Confederation through the development of the Constitution.
  • The early republic including political parties, economic and geographical expansion.
  • Sectionalism, slavery and antebellum America
  • Western expansion, manifest destiny and Native American policy.
  • Antebellum reform.
  • Crisis of the 1850s and the coming of the Civil War.
  • The Civil War.
  • Reconstruction.

Textbook:

Your textbook for this class is available for free online!
U.S. History from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-08-5

In addition to viewing it in the course, you have several options to obtain this book:

You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due