HIS 221W - Early American History

Credits: 3
Instructional Contact Hours: 3

Exploring American history from early Native American societies through the Civil War era, this course examines the early history—from the Colonial Era through Reconstruction—of the lands that became the United States. We will cover key political events such as the American Revolution, but will also study the history of the diverse peoples who built a nation (or suffered the consequences of nation-building) in the centuries that shaped the U.S.A. The course will include the voices of traditionally marginalized people, such as African Americans resisting slavery, women calling for the right to vote, workers protesting labor conditions in the Market Revolution, and Native Americans opposing the loss of their lands.

Prerequisite(s): High School GPA of 2.3 or higher or completion of or concurrent enrollment in any ENG course or a Guided Self-Placement recommendation of ENG 111A or higher
Corequisite(s): None
Lecture Hours: 45 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: Humanities, Social Science
Pass/NoCredit: Yes

Outcomes and Objectives

1. Identify an effective narrative that analyzes the history of the early United States in response to an analytical question.

Craft well-supported historical narratives, arguments, or reports of research findings in a variety of media.
Select from a range of media best suited to communicating a particular argument, narrative, or set of ideas.

2. Analyze various types of historical sources appropriate to the study of early American History.

A. Describe the differences between primary and secondary sources.

B. Analyze the perspective and context in which the historical source was created.

C. Describe the ways in which a given historical source may inform a historical narrative.

3. Evaluate conflicting historical interpretations within the context of early American History.

Identify and describe conflicting historical interpretations.
Analyze the evidence supporting conflicting historical interpretations.

4. Analyze the ways in which the history of early American History informs the current issues of the United States and its relationship to global culture.

Compare, contrast, and contextualize the political, cultural, and social history of early American History and the present.
Evaluate the way in which political, cultural, and social structures have margininalized certain groups throughout early American History, such as women , people of color, religious minorities, nondominant sexual identities, and others.

5. Analyze global interactions relevant to the traditional narrative of early American History.

Describe relevant global interactions taken in the past.
Evaluate the importance of relevant global interactions with early American History.

6. Use writing tasks to promote learning.

Analyze course content in written form.
Demonstrate knowledge of subject matter.
Explain the subject matter in a coherent writing style.