HS 160 - U.S. History Through Reconstruction

This course equivalent was HS 249.

1. Analyze scholarly and creative artifacts and activities from Pre-Contact through 1877, and connect themes (such as Immigration, Race Relations, Politics, and Warfare) to the present in order to understand the world and himself or herself from different points of view. (GELO 3)
2. Through the use of primary source analysis both individually and in groups students will be asked to think critically about the interplay between Sub-Saharan Africa, Native Americans, and Western Europeans during the Columbian Exchange. (GELO 3)
3. Using the concept of Race as a Social Construct, students will explore the scholarship surrounding the creation of race and the evolution of race in American society and politics from Pre-Contact through 1877. (GELO 4)
4. Through the study of History, students will learn how past generations have labored to explain the world, explore causation for diverse cultural traditions, and appreciate the diversity and complexities of the global community in general and American society in particular. (GELO 4)
5. Through learning historical methods of analysis, students will be able to conduct primary and secondary research, analyze data, craft academic arguments about historical causation and social significance, and effectively present their findings. (GELO 3)
6. Through selected readings, lectures, group discussions, and documentary films, students will comprehend how changing historic context and social, political, economic and cultural conditions in America from Pre-Contact through 1877 impacted the behavior of individuals and groups, the operation of societal institutions (like the American political structure) and/or the perception of social phenomena (such as race relations). (GELO 6)
7. Through detailed analysis and comparison of primary and secondary sources, students will explore questions and hypotheses related to political power, agency of the common people, race relations, social class, gender, and shifting value systems. (GELO 3)
8. Students will analyze the complex relationship between the social construct of illness, biological disease, race relations and race science, gender politics and their impacts on common people, governments, and cultures. (GELO 3)
9. Discuss how communities, countries or cultures differ in their values, politics, communication styles, beliefs, and practices. (GELO 6)

A. Complex Societies in the Americas

B. Europe and the World by the 15^th Century

C. Spain, Columbus, and the Americas

D. Demographic Catastrophe

II. Colonial America (1588 - 1701)

A. New France

B. New Netherlands

C. English in North America and the Caribbean

D. Jamestown

E. New England

F. Quakers

G. Colonial Life

H. Indians and Cultural Conflict and War

III. Slavery and Empire (1441 - 1770)

A. Sugar and Slavery

B. Slavery and Race

C. Slavery in the British Colonies in North America

D. Resistance and Slave Culture

IV. Cultural Development of British North America (1700 - 1780)

A. Political Development

B. Gender

C. Enlightenment

D. Great Awakening

V. From Empire to Independence (1750 - 1776)

A. Imperial Politics

B. Seven Years War

C. Taxation and Resistance

VI. The American Revolution (1776 - 1786)

A. Terrorism in North America

B. Colonial Militias

C. Continental Army

D. International Relations

VII. The New Nation (1786 - 1800)

A. Revolutionary America

B. Gender

C. Constitutional America

VIII. Empire of Liberty? (1790 - 1824)

A. Post-Colonial Society

B. The Northwest

C. Transportation Revolution

D. Early Industrial Revolution

E. Race

F. Gender

IX. Slavery and the Old South (1790’s - 1850’s)

A. The Rise of the Deep South

B. Southern Yeomanry

C. Slave Culture

D. Southern Market Revolution

X. Growth of American Democracy (1824 - 1840)

A. Democratization of American Culture

B. Popular Culture

C. Race

D. Gender

E. Citizenship

F. Class

XI. Early Industrial America (1790’s [or earlier] - 1860’s) Includes:

A. Immigration

B. Urbanization

C. Social Reform

D. Southern Economic Changes

E. Economic Revolution

XII. Territorial Expansion and Slavery (1830’s - 1850’s)

A. War with Mexico

B. Popular Sovereignty

C. Bleeding Kansas

XIII. Crisis and Civil War (1850’s - 1865)

A. Rise of the Republicans

B. Choosing Sides

C. Battle Field America

D. Confederate America

XIV. Reconstruction (1863 - 1877)

A. Radical Reconstruction and Presidential Reconstruction

B. Jim Crow America

C. Slave Narratives

Discussion based on secondary resources and primary sources: 20-50%
Mandatory Course Components:
Course Components can be modified as long as Student Learning Outcomes are being met for Humanities and Social Sciences and as long as they fall within the ranges listed below. Any major deviations from the suggested material will have to be vetted through the Department.

Papers: 30-40%

Essay Based Exams: 40-60%

Presentations, Group Work, and Participation: 10-20%

Quizzes and Written Assessments: 10-20%
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test:
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: IRW 98, IRW 99