Ivy Tech Survey of American History I - HIST 101

Enrollment Message

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Course Description

Survey of American History I - HIST 101 covers major themes and events in history from domestic and global standpoints, including exploration of the New World; the colonial period; causes and results of the American Revolution; the development of the federal system of government; the growth of democracy; early popular American culture; territorial expansion; slavery and its effect; reform movements, sectionalism; causes and effects of the Civil War.

Required Text and Materials

• US History OpenStax

Course Goals

Upon completion of the course, students will…

• identify the principal features of the periods of United States History and determine their significance.
• analyze the effect of the geography and ecology of the continent on the roots of American Civilization.
• examine the on-going encounters among European, African, Asian, and American Indian cultures.
• describe the role of religion in American life in relation to spiritual awakenings, denominational diversity, reform movements, and family life from earliest time through the Civil War.
• describe the forging of American nationalism from the Revolutionary Era through Reconstruction.
• trace the rise of democratic politics and the emergence of a mass party system from the Federalist Period through the Jacksonian Era.
• examine the transformation of American society from rural agriculture to urban industrial culture.
• analyze the emerging crises of slavery and sectionalism culminating in the Civil War and Reconstruction.
• reflect on historical issues and themes and form coherent, defensible opinions about their domestic and global impact.

Topical Areas of Study

• First Americans
• European exploration and colonization
• The American Colonies
• The Developing New Nation
• The Revolutionary War Era
• The Reform Movements
• Westward Expansion
• Jacksonian Era
• Slavery and the impending crisis
• The Civil War
• Reconstruction

Grading/Evaluation

All grades will be maintained in IvyLearn’s online grade book. Students are responsible for tracking their progress by referring to the online grade book. Students can generally expect to receive grades and feedback within seven days of the assignment due date. If exceptions occur, the instructor may notify students of changes to this expectation.

** Please note, the high school grading scale may be different from the Ivy Tech grading scale. The Ivy Tech grade for the course will be assigned based on the percentages above. A different high school grade might be assigned on a student's high school transcript if the grading scale percentages are different.

Types of Assignments

Exams

There will be four (4) Exams throughout the course that cover the reading material for the chapters they specify. Students will be tested on the material from the course textbook. Each test will contain multiple-choice and true/false questions. In order to give students adequate time to complete exams these assessments will be available until the day they are due. Students will have only one attempt to take the exams within an allotted time, so it’s important to allow ample time before starting the process.

Quizzes

There will be 15 quizzes throughout the course that cover the reading material for that week. Quizzes will include both multiple-choice and true/false questions. In order to give students adequate time to complete exams these assessments will be available until the day they are due. Students will have only one attempt to take the exams within an allotted time, so it’s important to allow ample time before starting the process.

Discussions

Materials from the textbook and additional primary sources are covered in the form of a question.  The professor will provide prompts for these two to three paragraph entries that ask students to think critically about historical issues as they relate to the subject matter of the course. In these entries, students should also seek to make connections between what they already know about history and what they are learning in this course. Students are required to respond at least twice for every Discussion topic; students must respond to a question posted by the professor and to at least one other student response as well. The Discussion activity requires participation on more than a single day - do not post only on one calendar day. Answers must be meaningful and relevant; please do not respond by simply saying "I agree" or “I disagree” without explanation. Exact deadlines are posted in the Discussion and Calendar.

Course Research Paper

Students will be writing a 5-6 page research paper corresponding to the material covered in the course.  For information regarding the assignment, click College Resources.

HIST101 Outcome Final Exam

This assessment measures what you have learned about U.S. history. It contains 50 multiple-choice questions covering the themes and materials in the course. It is worth 100 points. Each test will contain multiple-choice and true/false questions. In order to give students adequate time to complete exams these assessments will be available until the day they are due. Students will have only one attempt to take the exams within an allotted time, so it’s important to allow ample time before starting the process. 

Expectations for Academic Conduct 

Student Handbook 

It is your responsibility to read the Indiana Online student handbook along with Ivy Tech's Class Policies & Grades to understand all aspects of taking an online course including expectations for academic conduct. Contact your teacher if you have any questions. 

Assistance for Students with Accommodations

Contact Disabilities Support Services (DSS)

Technology

Technology Requirements 

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube. Please review the Indiana Online’s Technology Requirements.

Technical Skills Needed 

Basic technology skills necessary to locate and share information and files as well as interact with others in a Learning Management System (LMS), include the ability to

• download, edit, save, convert, and upload files
• download and install software
• use a messaging service similar to email
• communicate with others in online discussion or message boards, following basic rules of netiquette
• open attachments shared in messages
• create, save, and submit files in commonly used word processing program formats and as a PDF
• save a file as a .pdf
• copy and paste and format text using your mouse, keyboard, or an html editor’s toolbar menu
• insert images or links into a file
• search for information within a document using Ctrl+F or Command+F keyboard shortcuts
• work in multiple browser windows and tabs simultaneously
• activate a microphone or webcam on your device, and record and upload or link audio and/or video files
• use presentation and graphics programs
• follow an online pacing guide or calendar of due dates
• use spell-check, citation editors, and tools commonly provided in word processing tool menus
• create and maintain usernames and passwords

Technical Questions?  Please contact the Ivy Tech Educational Technology Support.