[HIS 101] History of the U.S.: From the Era of the Columbian Exchange to the Era of the Civil War

Introduction

This course has been designed to be primarily a discussion-based examination of United States history prior to 1877. While giving students basic information about the United States, this course will also introduce students to what historians do. This course was also designed to be fun and informative.

Students find college-level history classes different from high school-level courses. In high school classes, students are expected to learn and repeat basic information. In college-level courses, students are expected to learn information and then weave it into a coherent answer to a question. Students will frequently be asked to express their opinions based upon the information.

Description

UW Colleges Catalog Course Description for HIS 101: History of the United States: From the Era of the Columbian Exchange to the Era of the Civil War - 3 credits. A survey of American political, economic, social, and intellectual history from the Age of European Exploration and the period of colonization to the era of the American Civil War. As an Ethnic Studies (ES) course, this course thoroughly integrates the experiences of African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and/or Asian Americans into US history in a manner that fosters understanding and appreciation of the perspectives and experiences of at least two of these groups as well as their contributions to, and interactions within, American society. This course fulfills the UWC requirement for Social Sciences (SS) and Ethnic Studies (ES).

Please note that

• throughout the course you will be asked to express your opinion based upon the evidence;
• on occasion this course will discuss adult subject matter;
• this course is not a current events course. Students do not receive credit for discussing current events in the course.

Proficiencies

Institutional proficiencies assigned to this course

Successful completion of this course will enhance students' ability to

• interpret and synthesize information and ideas;
• analyze and evaluate arguments;
• communicate clearly, precisely, and in a well-organized manner.

Department-specific proficiencies assigned to this course

By completing this course, students will

• develop an understanding of American history prior to 1877;
• understand how prior events led to subsequent events;
• develop the ability to write a coherent essay using secondary and primary sources.

Requirements

Students are not required to log on every day. However, they should log on at least every other day and keep abreast of changing developments. There are no group assignments, but students are expected to interact with their classmates.

Software

• Microsoft Word.

  The most current edition of MS Office (containing MS Word, Excel and other valuable programs) is available to University of Wisconsin students at discounted prices through the Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog.

• Students will need to be able to play audio files.

About the Instructors

• John Degnitz
  Associate Lecturer, History
• Steve Leahy
  Senior Lecturer, History
  BS, Loras College
  MA, Arkansas State University
  PhD, Marquette University