• ENGL-0302 College Reading Skills
• ENGL-0327 Integrated Reading and Writing

1. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence
2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources
3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of United States history

Below is an outline of the course. A brief summary of the week’s topics is given, followed by the reading you need to do for that week and any assignments that are due.

1.      WEEK 1 (August 28^th and August 30^th): Introduction to HIST 1301

·        Introduction to the structure of the course, the subject matter of HIST 1301, and the nature of history as an academic discipline. We will discuss primary sources, secondary sources, how to approach historical artifacts, and bias in historical records.

·        Reading: No reading due for this week

2.      WEEK 2 (September 6^th): Societies on the Cusp of Modernity

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the late medieval period in North America, Central America, Africa, and Europe. Note that we will not have class on Monday, September 4^th (Labor Day).

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 1, pp. 7 – 30

3.      WEEK 3 (September 11^th and September 13^th): The Modern World

·        Our lecture and discussion for this week will focus on the violent expansion of western European empires during the early modern period (c. 1500 – 1800), including the genocides perpetrated by the Spanish against Americans and the rise of the modern system of slavery.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 2, pp. 31 – 56.

4.      WEEK 4 (September 18^th and September 20^th): Social Realities of Colonization

·        This week will focus on what life was like for people in the various colonies on the continent of North America, and will focus especially on the experiences of the numerous American and African persons exploited, exterminated, and enslaved by the western European empires.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 3, pp. 57 – 84

·        Assignments: Quiz over chapters 1, 2, and 3 on September 20^th  

5.      WEEK 5: (September 25^th and September 27^th): The Sun Never Sets on the British Empire

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the territorial and economic expansion of the English Empire in North America, Caribbean, and Africa from the mid-17^th century until the end of the Seven Years’ War in 1763.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 4, pp. 85 – 110

6.      WEEK 6: (October 2^nd and October 4^th): Tyranny or “Tyranny”?

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the growing political tensions between the British Empire and many of its white subjects in North America from the 1750s through the 1770s. We will also examine the racist and aggressive character of the growing movement for Independence.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 5, pp. 111 – 138

·        Assignments: Instructions for the Writing Assignment will be given out on Monday

 

7.      WEEK 7: (October 9^th and October 11^th): The Civil War of Independence

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the War of Independence, its goals, and the terrorism utilized by the U.S. and its supporters against both loyalist whites and Persons of Color irrespective of their allegiance to the empire.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 6, pp. 139 – 164

·        Assignments: Quiz over chapters 4, 5, and 6 on October 11^th

8.      WEEK 8: (October 18^th): The Chaos of Independence

·        We will focus on the disputed nature of the newborn United States government, the rise of the Federal Government, and the constant drumbeat of genocidal violence against Americans to pave the way for white U.S. colonization of North America. Note that we will not have class on October 16^th, which is a Port Arthur Independent School District student holiday.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapters 7 and 8, pp. 165 – 216

9.      WEEK 9: (October 23^rd and October 25^th): Capitalizing on New Technology

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the spread of modern industrial technology from Europe to the northeastern U.S., and on the concurrent rise of capitalism as the official economic system of the U.S.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 9, pp. 217 – 242

10.  WEEK 10: (October 30^th and November 1^st): Squatting on a Continental Scale

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the occupation of American and Mexican territory in North America by white U.S. persons; the connections of the westward expansion to the preservation of Black slavery in the southern U.S.; and the mass murder of Americans by both the U.S. military and mobs of white U.S. men.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 11, pp. 269 – 296

·        Assignments: Quiz over chapters 7, 8, 9, and 11 on November 1^st

11.  WEEK 11 (November 6^th and November 8^th): The Devil’s Kingdom

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the increasingly violent racist power structures in the southern U.S. before 1865, and on the myriad ways enslaved U.S. persons resisted the dystopian realities of the South.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 12, pp. 297 – 324

12.  WEEK 12 (November 13^th and November 15^th): Reformers and Revolutionaries

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the partial successes and many failures of reform movements during the first half of the 19^th century, including the abolitionist movement, the early women’s rights movement, and several related movements for reforming religious groups in the U.S.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 13, pp. 325 – 352

THANKSGIVING BREAK

(November 20^th – November 24^th)

13.  WEEK 13 (November 27^th and November 29^th): Boiling Over in the 1850s

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the growing political turmoil and political violence of the 1850s, including the famous “Bleeding Kansas” incidents, outcry against Supreme Court rulings such as the ruling in the Dred Scott case, and violent reactions by southern white U.S. persons against abolitionism and the Underground Railroad.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 14, pp. 353 – 378

·        Assignments: Quiz over chapters 12, 13, and 14 on November 29^th

14.  WEEK 14 (December 4^th and December 6^th): The Civil War

·        Our lectures and discussions for this week will focus on the Civil War of 1860 – 1865, its causes, consequences, astonishing death toll, and the unresolved questions about the future of the U.S. left in its bloody wake.

·        Reading: U.S. History chapter 15, pp. 379 – 406.

·        Assignments: Writing Assignment is due on Blackboard by 11:59 p.m. today

15.  WEEK 15 (December 11^th and December 13^th): FINAL EXAM WEEK

·        On December 11^th, we will spend the whole class session reviewing together for the final exam. On December 13^th, everyone will take the final exam together in class.

·        Reading: No reading for this week.

·        Assignments: FINAL EXAM on December 13^th

1. First Offense: For your first plagiarism offense, you will receive a grade of 0% on the assignment.
2. Second Offense: A second plagiarism offense will result in the student failingthe course entirely. The student’s name and all documented offenses will be forwarded to the proper LSCPA officials.

1. No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom.
2. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom.
3. Use of electronic devices for purposes other than note-taking or learning is prohibited.