History 1301

Welcome to U.S. History

COURSE:  HIST 1301 – 3.0 credits
 
Survey of U.S. History from the Age of Discovery through Reconstruction.  Special emphasis will be on the causes of the American Revolution, the formation of a republic under the U.S. Constitution, and the long road to war.

PURPOSE:

History is the story of change and continuity over time.  In this survey course, we will talk about the changes that occurred in the environment of America after European contact.  We will study the people, events, and circumstances that shaped the evolution of society, economics, and politics on the American continent.  We will also consider the streams of continuity that run through the same time span.  The major emphasis will be upon the causes and consequences of change.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: 

It is my belief that dates in history are important only in relationship to understanding the causes of events and the consequences of those events.  Therefore, I do not require that students memorize isolated dates, names, events, etc.  However, understanding events, people, and circumstances is very important.  We will discuss recorded and accepted ‘facts’ but we will also consider interpretations and perceptions of those ‘facts.’ We will be searching for the significance of names and dates; the causes and consequences of change.