American History Through the Civil War
Syllabus
CAM101 American History Through the Civil War
Course Overview
Course Description
This course is a survey of United States history from its earliest settlements to the Civil War, with an emphasis on important ideas in the colonial and early republic time period. It focuses on the theme of liberty and how that concept developed and shaped American history during the early republic.
Credit Hours: 3hrs
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of key people and events in U.S. history through the Civil War.
- Formulate an argument for limited government.
- Trace the expansion of the concept of liberty/democracy using primary documents.
- Formulate the role that religious faith played in the founding and in the early decades of American history.
- Outline the stages of political breakdown in the mid-19th century and apply it to modern day.
Resources
- Earle, J. (2008) John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry: A Brief History with Documents. Macmillan Higher Education. ISBN: 9781319241681
- McPherson, J.M. (1992). Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780199832057
- Locke, J. L., & Wright, B. (Eds.). (2019). The American Yawp. Stanford University Press. ISBN: 9781503608139
- Douglass, F., Garrison, W. L., Phillips, W. (1845). Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. United States: Anti-Slavery Office, No. 25 Cornhill.
- Cheathem, M.R. (2018). Andrew Jackson and the Rise of the Democratic Party (1st ed.). The University of Tennessee Press. ISBN: 9781610694070
Course Outline
MODULE ZERO: Getting Started
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Syllabus |
Page |
1 hr |
-- |
|
Course Materials |
Page |
.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Course Schedule/Pacing |
Questionnaire |
.5 hrs |
-- |
|
Course Journal |
Page |
.25 hrs |
-- |
|
Getting Started Review |
Quiz |
.5 hrs |
25 |
|
Totals |
2.75 hrs |
25 |
|
MODULE ONE: ROOTS OF LIBERTY
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
5hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz* |
Quiz |
1hr |
20 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1hr |
25 |
|
1619 Assignment |
Submission |
4hrs |
70 |
|
Inspired Declaration? |
Submission |
4hrs |
30 |
|
Journaling |
Future Submission |
4hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
19hrs |
145 |
|
MODULE TWO: LIMITED GOVERNMENT: CORNERSTONE OF LIBERTY
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
5hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz |
Quiz |
1hr |
20 |
|
Religious Foundations |
Submission |
4hrs |
40 |
|
Constitutional Design |
Submission |
4hrs |
60 |
|
Journaling |
Future Submission |
4hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
18hrs |
120 |
|
MODULE THREE: EXPANSION OF LIBERTY
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
5hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz |
Quiz |
1hr |
20 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1hr |
25 |
|
Jackson |
Assignment |
4hrs |
40 |
|
The Rise of the Democratic Party |
Assignment |
4hrs |
60 |
|
Journaling |
Future Submission |
4hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
19hrs |
145 |
|
MODULE FOUR: LIBERTY DENIED
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
5hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz |
Quiz |
1hr |
20 |
|
Live Session |
Discussion |
1hr |
25 |
|
Frederick Douglas |
Submission |
4hrs |
60 |
|
Independence? |
Submission |
4hrs |
40 |
|
Womens' Rights |
Submission |
3hrs |
75 |
|
Journaling |
Future Submission |
4hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
22 hrs |
220 |
|
MODULE FIVE: POLITICS BECOMES RADICAL
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
5hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz |
Quiz |
1hr |
20 |
|
John Brown |
Submission |
5hrs |
100 |
|
Journaling |
Future Submission |
4hrs |
-- |
|
Totals |
15hrs |
120 |
|
MODULE SIX: THE COUNTRY DIVIDES
|
Title |
Type |
Duration |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Read and Watch |
Input |
5hrs |
-- |
|
Reading Quiz |
Quiz |
1hr |
20 |
|
(Re)-Defining Liberty |
Submission |
4hrs |
50 |
|
Lincoln’s Target |
Submission |
4hrs |
50 |
|
Journaling |
Submission |
4hrs |
105 |
|
Totals |
18 hrs |
225 |
|
*The lowest quiz is dropped.
Live Sessions
This course has live meetups for Q & A, typically one hour every other week. If you cannot attend, you can recoup the points for the session by watching the recording and submitting a 300-word summary/response. Since these sessions will be audio-visually recorded, those who participate with their camera engaged are agreeing to have their video, image, or voice recorded.
Grading
- Meetups: 75 points
- Quizzes: 125 points (drop lowest)
- Journaling: 105 points
- Assignments: 675 points
(1000 points total)