THE CORE CURRICULUM: CIVILIZATION SEQUENCE
Civilization courses are designed to explore in some depth the complex dimensions of the human experience. These courses study the cumulative experiences of the past to assist in understanding our complex world and assist in the responsible shaping of the future of that world.
CIVILIZATION: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
OBJECTIVES
1. To be familiar with the main stages of civilization as an expanding force which has produced important forms of political, social, economic, and cultural organization which are our common heritage;
2. To identify major events, persons, and ideas which contributed to the development of western, including American, and non-western attitudes and institutions;
3. To develop concepts which give meaning and order to the raw material of man's recorded past;
4. To identify and to analyze significant problems and situations as they relate to the continuing issues of contemporary life.
CIVILIZATION: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
GOALS
1. To improve understanding of the major events which have influenced the modern world;
2. To understand the influence of the past on contemporary events and problems;
3. To be an intelligent consumer and evaluator of information about events taking place in the world;
4. To develop a global perspective which recognizes the political, economic, and cultural interdependence of all nations.
CORE 130: AMERICAN CIVILIZATION
American Civilization focuses on the development of the United States from its earliest times to its emergence as a significant world power at the beginning of the 20th century. The major political, economic, social, and cultural events and forces of this period will be examined in this course.
Specific Benefits of CORE 130: AMERICAN CIVILIZATION
1. It hones skill at evaluating data for authenticity or spuriousness, reliability or unreliability; it trains the mind to weigh and to ponder before acceptance or rejection.
2. It expands understanding and knowledge of the uniqueness of the American democratic experience.
3. It encourages the development of independent thinking, as well as the application of deductive and inductive reasoning, in the formation and validation of hypotheses and conclusions.
4. It compels acknowledgment of the complexity and variety of the American experience and recognizes the painful price paid by so many in the past for the achievement enjoyed in the present.
5. It confronts us with the moral problem of making judgements about those who occupied center stage in our American past.
6. It stimulates and develops problem-solving, skeptical judgement and decision-making analysis.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
TEXTBOOK
Davidson, James West et al. NATION OF NATIONS: A Concise Narrative of the American Republic. Third Edition/King's Special Edition. Boston: McGraw-Hill 2002.
READING ASSIGNMENTS
The General Course Outline identifies specific readings from the text, which are to be completed prior to discussion of the material in class lectures. The same expectation applies to additional readings, which may be placed on reserve in the D. Leonard Corgan Library or will be distributed in class.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Three (3) brief papers will be assigned. Except for the Family History, three (3) sources should be used for the
papers—one of which must be the textbook. All three sources, including the textbook, should be properly cited in the body of the papers. The topics and questions to be answered in the papers are listed and detailed on the last page of the syllabus.
DO NOT merely list the questions and then an answer. The answers to the questions should be incorporated into the body of the paper. Make sure you explain yourself thoroughly. The papers should be written in an essay format—an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
Due Dates:
Family History—due Thursday, September 9, 2004
The Road to Independence—due Tuesday, October 5, 2004
The American City—due Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Papers should be a minimum of five (5) pages long. Except for the Family History, which should be three (3) pages.
Regarding the use of sources: Exploration of various research resources including the library and on-line sources will be encouraged in the completion of these assignments. As stated before, a minimum of three (3) sources are required. One of the sources must be the textbook.
NOTE: You are required to cite your sources in the text of your papers through the use of in-text citations-MLA Style or footnotes/endnotes, followed by a Works Cited or Bibliography page. Use your source material to support your position in the
papers. For further instruction regarding this please see the study guides available at the D. Leonard Corgan Library. It is important to remember that if you do not cite your sources properly it can be considered plagiarism, which is a form of academic dishonesty and can result in a failing grade in the course and additional action, by college officials. Improperly cited papers will NOT be accepted. All students will be expected to submit papers in typed or word-processed form. Handwritten work will NOT be accepted.
NOTE: Papers not submitted on time will be severely penalized—2 points per day will be deducted. All assignments must be handed in by the last day of class—December 9, 2004.
TESTS
There will be three (3) written tests given during the semester including the final examination. The final examination will be given according to the Registrar's examination schedule. The tests will be based on the lectures and text reading materials, as assigned. The general structure of the tests will be essay. Each test will be non-comprehensive and will review the most recent materials covered.
The test dates will be as follows:
Test #1—Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Test #2—Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Final—The week of December 13-17, 2004
NOTE: Absence on the day of a scheduled test will not be excused unless a serious reason has been explained to the instructor (in advance, if possible) and arrangements for a make-up test are made within five (5) class days of the scheduled test. It is the
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT to arrange the make-up with the instructor. It should not be presumed that mere absence on the day of an examination will automatically secure a test make-up.
CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION
Regular participation in classroom discussions is expected from each student. This participation will be noted and weighed in the overall semester grade evaluation as a growth/development factor.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is required and will play a part in the determination of the final grade. No student will receive a higher grade than the percentage of classes attended. Excused absences are not included in this count. Instructor must be informed, prior to class, if a student needs to leave early.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Any form of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, as outlined in the Student Handbook, can result in a failing grade in the course and additional action by college officials. This means that you must cite your sources in all your papers and all work is expected to be your own. For further instruction on how to properly cite your sources please see the study guides available at the D. Leonard Corgan Library.
SEMESTER GRADE EVALUATION
The determination of the final semester grade will be based on the successful completion of all requirements for the course using numerical values as follows:
• Tests: Total - 45% = Tests I, II, and III - 15% each
• Written Assignments - 45% - 15% each
• Participation, and Growth/Development - 15%
The general grading scale to be used is as follows:
A+ = 98 A = 95 A- = 92
B+ = 88 B = 85 B- = 82
C+ = 78 C = 75 C- = 72
D+ = 68 D = 65 F = 59
OFFICE CONTACT/OFFICE HOURS
Learning is not achieved only within the confines of a classroom. To that end be advised of the following:
• Personal consultations are welcome and encouraged. Submissions of “rough drafts” of writing assignments are highly desirable as is consultation regarding research for writing assignments and/or test reviews.
• Office: Hafey-Marian Hall, Room 312
• Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00AM—2:00PM, or by appointment.
• Contact may also be made via e-mail. My e-mail address is fjdutton@kings.edu.
• I can also be contacted by phone/voice mail (ext. 5637). Since this is shared voice-mail make sure you indicate that the message is for me.
CLASS TOPICS (Subject to amendment by instructor)
At the conclusion of the semester the student should have an understanding of the following:
• Introduction
• The Early Colonies
• Eighteenth Century America
• The Revolutionary War
• A New Nation
• The Emergence of a National Character
• Jacksonian Democracy
• Westward Expansion
• The South
• Abolition
• The Civil War
• Reconstruction
• Industrialization
• Urbanization
• Politics and Progressivism
Essay Paper Topics
Paper #1—Family History—due Thursday, September 9, 2004
A brief three page essay describing one or two of your most significant ancestors. Obviously no sources are required for this paper.
Paper #2—The Road to Independence—due Tuesday, October 5, 2004
What were some of the reasons for discontent in the American Colonies?
How did the British handle problems with the American Colonies?
How did the Colonists respond to the British?
What were some of the main events that lead to a crisis?
Paper #3—The American City—due Tuesday, November 30, 2004
What types of transportation developments occurred and how did this contribute to urban growth in the 19th century?
What impact did industry and immigration play in the development of American cities?
What were some of the problems that emerged in the modern city during the latter half of the 19th century?
NOTE: DO NOT merely list the questions and then an answer. The answers to the questions must be incorporated into the body of the paper. Make sure you explain yourself thoroughly. The paper should be written in an essay format—an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
The papers should be a minimum of 4 pages long. REMEMBER: The textbook and two other sources must be used in Paper #2 & #3. Sources must be properly cited in the body of the paper with in-text citations.
<http://departments.kings.edu/history/130dutton.html>
2005
Frank Dutton, fjdutton@kings.edu