HIST 111
U.S. History to 1865 (GE)
1. Catalog Entry
HIST 111
U.S. History to 1865 (GE)
Credit hours (3)
Survey of national history from the colonial period through the American Revolution
and early national period through the Civil War. Emphasis on economic, political and
social developments as well as the growth of the representative and democratic process.
Note(s): General Education and Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course.
2. Detailed Description of Course
The major topics covered in this course are those considered to represent the foundations
of American history. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a broad
background in American history prior to 1865. These topics, with various degrees of
emphasis, are common to all recent textbooks written for an introductory course in
American history.
1) Discovery and Settlement of British North America
2) Colonial economics, politics, society and religion
3) Coming of the American Revolution
4) The Revolution and the Confederation Period
5) Establishing the United States: The Constitution and the Federalist Era
6) The Jeffersonian Era and the War of 1812
7) The Jacksonian Era
8) Industrialization, Immigration and Reform
9) Expansion and Sectional Crisis
10)The Civil War
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The class meets three hours a week. A textbook is required by all instructors; each
instructor has the option of selecting a different text. Additionally, some instructors
require other readings. Teaching methods involve a mix of lecture and discussion.
Generally large classes require a teaching methodology capable of reaching a wide
variety of students. Visual aids emphasize maps and graphs, but other aids such as
video recordings, Powerpoint presentations, and other forms of media including the
internet may also be utilized.
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Goal: To gain an appreciation of the history of the United States up to 1865
Outcomes:
1. Students describe key aspects of the history of the United States up to 1865
2. Students analyze factors that helped to cause key events in the history of the United States up to 1865.
Assessment Measures
Assessment measures may include any or all of the following: participation in class,
writing exercises, oral discussions of readings, and testing that includes objective
and/or essay questions on quizzes and examinations. All tests are structured to emphasize
an understanding of ideas, concepts, and inter-relationships. Assessment measures
are designed to evaluate student learning and progress towards the fulfillment of
the Core Curriculum program goals and the specific goals and objectives for both the
US Perspectives and Social and Behavioral Science areas as stated above in D.
6. Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
September 1991
April 16, 1998
April 9, 1999
October 5, 2008
June 20, 2015
March 01, 2021