American History

Instructor:  

Dr. Hugh D. Spurgin

I.  Description.

            The course sketches the history of the United States of America from its early beginnings until the present time.   The social, political, economic, religious, and cultural history of America are highlighted and discussed.

The course is designed to expose the student to various overall movements and trends, as well as specific people, events, and significant dates.   Thus, a synthetic as well as analytic approach is encouraged.

 

II.  Outcomes.

            Through weekly examinations, class participation, and oral presentations, students will be asked to demonstrate an understanding of all of the topics included in each chapter of the textbook.

 

III. The Textbook.              

 The American Pageant: A History of the Republic, by Thomas A. Bailey and David M. Kennedy (Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath & Co., 1994). Tenth edition.

IV.  Requirements:

An examination or quiz is given each week on one or more chapters in the textbook.   Oral, biographical presentations  are graded the same as a quiz.  Current event presentations are for the purpose of gaining extra credit.

 

V. Class schedule, assignments and examinations:

2002 – 2003 school year

Study Chapter 1:  September 2 - 6

Quiz: Monday September 9

 

Study Chapter 2:          Tuesday September 10    – Monday September 16

Quiz:    Monday September 16

 

Study Chapters 3:         Tuesday September 17 – Monday September 23

Quiz on Chapter 3:       Monday September 23

 

Study the movie “Roots”:

Essay examination:    Monday September 30

 

Study Chapters 5:         Tuesday October 1 – Monday October 4

Quiz on Chapter 5:   Monday October 7, 2002

 

Study Chapter 6:          Tuesday October 8 –  Monday October 10

Quiz on Chapter 6:    Tuesday October 15

 

End of first grading period

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 Study Chapter 7:  Tuesday October   – Monday October

Quiz:  Monday October 22, 2002

 

Study Chapter 8:          Tuesday October   – Monday October

Quiz:  Monday October 28, 2002

 

Study Chapter 9:          Tuesday October  – Monday November

Quiz:  Monday November 4

 

Study Chapter 10:        Tuesday November  – Monday November

Quiz:  Monday November 11

 

Study Chapter 11:        Tuesday November  – Monday November

Quiz:  Monday November 18

 

Study Chapters 12:       Monday November  – Monday November

Quiz:  Monday November 25

 

Study Chapters 13:       Tuesday November 26  – Monday December

Quiz:  December 2

 

Study Chapters 14:       Monday November 13 – Monday November 20

Quiz:  December 9

 

Study Chapters 15:       Monday November 20 – Wednesday November 22

Quiz:  Monday December 16

 

End of the fall semester

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Study Chapter 16:        Tuesday  – Friday

Quiz:  Monday January  7

 

Study Chapter 17:  Tuesday  –  Friday

Quiz:    Monday January 14

 

Study Chapters 18:       Monday – Friday

Quiz on Chapter 18:  Monday January 21

  

Oral biographical presentations  are graded the same as a quiz: