HIUS221: Survey of American History I

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 08/12/2024

Course Description

A survey of the political, social and economic developments of America from the colonizing experience through the Civil War with emphasis on the development of the American democratic tradition.

Rationale

As part of Liberty University’s liberal arts education, this course seeks to develop the student’s capacity to think and act creatively and critically within the context of Christian values. Therefore, this course’s purpose goes beyond a mere study of names and dates to developing the student’s historical consciousness, which provides insight into the complex realities of modern living. Understanding history in this grand manner, then, is a vital prerequisite to responsible citizenship.

Course Assignment

MindTap readings, lecture presentations, primary sources, and websites

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

The student will research a historical character from the list provided and write a 300-350 word summary explaining the historical character’s accomplishments and why he or she should be remembered today. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F; CIL: 1, 2, 3, 4)

American History Opposing Viewpoints Project Assignments (3)

This project will be completed in stages throughout the course, with specific instructions provided for each portion in the appropriate Modules: Weeks. The stages will be completed as follows:

• American History Opposing Viewpoints Project: Summary Assignment 
• American History Opposing Viewpoints Project: Annotated Bibliography Assignment
• American History Opposing Viewpoints Project: Research Paper Assignment

(CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F; CIL: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Museum or National Park Visit: Proposal Assignment

The student will post a brief proposal requesting instructor permission for an in-person visit or an official virtual tour of a historical museum or national park pertaining to American History from 1500-1865. It is most important that the student receives instructor approval of the location or website before pursuing the visit and writing the follow-up assignment. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F; CIL: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Museum or National Park Visit: Paper Assignment

The student will write a 600—700-word follow up paper that provides an overview of the museum or national park in-person visit or virtual tour. The student will explain how the historical site is relevant to American history from 1500-1865, highlight the information learned from the visit or virtual tour, and point out which artifacts and other displayed items were most interesting. The student will also ascertain how the in-person visit or virtual tour helped foster a greater appreciation for history. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F; CIL: 1, 2, 3, 4)

MindTap Quizzes (51)

The student will complete various activities in MindTap. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F; CIL: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Quizzes (10)

The student will complete quizzes that cover the specified materials from the Module: Week in which they are assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, For standard quizzes, the student will have 30 minutes to choose the correct answers to 10 multiple-choice questions. For primary source quizzes, there will be a short passage from a primary source that is embedded in it. The student will read it and answer 5 multiple-choice questions within a time limit of 30 minutes. At the discretion of the instructor, 10% may be deducted for every 5 minutes the student exceeds the time limit. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F; CIL: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)