Partially satisfies American History and Institutions requirement. Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 100 or 105 or equivalent. Transfer credit: UC; CSU (D1), CAN HIST 8. HIST 201+202=CAN HIST SEQ B.

Course Description
Our story begins about 30,000 years ago when hunters crossed the Bering Straits from Eurasia into the Americas. Throughout the semester we discuss the indigenous peoples of the Americas, the impact of the European arrival, colonial life, the American War for Independence, nation-building, and the "bone in the throat" - slavery and the Civil War.

Required Book
The required book for class is American Stories: A History of the United States, by Brand, Breen, Williams, and Gross. Published by Pearson/Longman. ISBN # 10: 0-205-57269-3. You may purchase it from the bookstore.

Goals for the course
I am aware that students sometimes feel overwhelmed by the vastness of the subject. We will make no attempt at a comprehensive examination of all the information, however, we will focus on the important aspects of the social life, political behavior and cross-cultural relationships of the people we meet. This course is not meant to be rote memorization, and students who actively engage the course material and assignments will not only be gaining knowledge, but will also be developing important skills. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course I hope you will be able to do the following:

1. Communicate effectively your ideas both orally and in writing.
2. Develop critical reading and interpretative skills.
3. Understand and apply definitions of words and strengthen your vocabulary.
4. Listen responsively and attempt to maintain a level of open mindedness.
5. Apply ideas and concepts from America's past to present day events.

Responsibilities
Your responsibilities include reading the required assignments before coming to class and being prepared for exams or written assignments. This means having a scantron/bluebook and pencil.  It also means being on time.
 
Attendance
It is important that you come to class. You will be allowed four absences, any over this number and I will deduct three points for each additional absence from your final grade. Chronic lateness will also be penalized by a deduction of five points at the end of the semester. I also have the option of dropping you from the class for chronic absences, lateness or poor academic performance.

Exams
There will be a series of quizzes, exams and class discussions. The quizzes may be unannounced. Keep up with the readings, come to class, ask for help and you shouldn't have any difficulty. Exams must be taken on the days assigned. There will be no make-ups unless a doctor's note on official stationary is provided.  Makeups must be taken within four calendar days.  After that-forget it.  Format of the make-up exams will be at the discretion of the instructor.

Assignments - You can earn a total of 400 pts. for this class.

3 in-class exams (75 pts.)
1 map quiz - 25 pts.
1 reflection paper -50 pts.
Cumulative Final exam - 100 pts.

NOTE: Once the semester officially ends I will grade you on all of the materials that are in my posession.
 
Grading Breakdown
400-365 =A
365-330 =B
330-295 =C
295-260 =D
below 260 =F
 
 Please:
1. No sleeping
2. If you are going to be absent for more than one consecutive class, please call me. This is for your protection as well as mine.
3. If you need to leave early please let me know before class begins.
4. Please do not give me elaborate excuses as to why you weren't in class or why you did not do the assignments. I'll respect you more if you tell me the truth.
5. Please be courteous and respectful of others.

Students With Disabilities
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please advise me during the first week of class. To be provided with the appropriate accommodations, you will need to obtain a signed form from the Disabled Students Programs and Services (650-738-4280).

Basic Information
1. Assignments are due at the BEGINNING of class. For each weekday an assignment is late I will deduct 10 pts.
2. If you are late to any exam I am willing to give you a makeup (see above), however, I ask that you not enter the classroom and disturb others.
3. If you simply stop attending class and do not withdraw through Admissions and Records you will receive an F grade.
4. Attendance will be taken daily.
5. Please turn off all pagers and cell phones before class begins. In case of emergency - and only in these cases - the cell phone may be placed in silent mode.  At no times are cell phones to be answered or used in class for any purposes.
6. All submitted work must be typed (double-spaced) and stapled with your G# on it.  I will not accept papers with social security numbers or names on them.

Integrity
I can not emphasize strongly enough the importance of maintaining and respecting academic integrity. What we're talking about is cheating and plagiarism. Cheating is the act of obtaining academic work through the use of dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent acts. Plagiarism is taking someone else's work and passing it off as your own. I have "zero tolerance" for cheating and plagiarism. If I catch you plagiarizing (and believe me I will!), you will receive an F for the course. If you want to discuss this further please see me or check out page 24 in the Skyline College catalog.
 
My door is always open should you have questions, concerns or problems.

F2009