COURSE TITLE: American History I
Instructor: M.Riley
DEPT. & COURSE NO.: Social Sciences – HIS 103
NUMBER OF COURSE CREDIT HOURS: 3
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This survey course traces the development of American civilization from the Colonial era through Reconstruction. This course meets the SUNY General Education requirement for American History. The curriculum for HIS 103 will meet the requirements for the AP US History curriculum.
LEARNING OUTCOMES OF COURSE: Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to do the following:
Students will analyze why and how the major developments in American history from European colonization through 1877 occurred.
Students will assess the impact of race, class, ethnicity and gender in the development of American society.
Students will describe common institutions in American society and how they have affected different groups.
Students will appraise America’s evolving relationship with the rest of the world.
Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in written English, to analyze and evaluate historical information.
SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES: At the completion of the course, students will be able to do the following:
Describe the diverse Native American cultures that existed prior to European colonization.
Explain the establishment of Spanish, Dutch, French and English colonies in America.
Explore the roots and evolution of "American" culture, attitudes, and beliefs during the Colonial period.
Analyze the historical developments of American political, economic, social and cultural institutions in the period.
Explain how the conflict between Great Britain and her Colonies led to the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War.
Describe the creation and development of the American political system, based on first the Articles of Confederation and then the Constitution.
Explore the political, economic, social and cultural development of the new republic from its inception through 1860.
Explain how westward expansion led to sectional disputes over the nature of the Union and the place of slavery in American life.
Describe the causes and consequences of the Civil War.
Understand the period called Reconstruction and its implications for the future of American life in the areas of race and ethnicity.
The following link will direct you to the content, units, and necessary skills that we will address over the next school year.
All SUNY Ulster Collegian students will complete a mid term and a final exam for SUNY Ulster course credit..
AP students will complete an AP exam in May. A description of the exam is included in the above link.
Each student will also complete a New York State Regents exam in U.S. History and Government in June.
All assignments are posted on Google Classroom.