Course Description:
History 102 is a survey course that covers the chief environmental, cultural, intellectual, and political developments in America between 1492 and 1877. The class focuses on four primary topics: 1) the meeting of European, Amerindian, and African cultures during the Age of Exploration; 2) the establishment of the British colonial system in North America; 3) the development of the American Revolution and early Republic; and, 4) the expansion, fracturing, and reconstruction of the American Union in the mid-nineteenth century.

Schedule of Meetings:
At the beginning of each quarter of the term, students will be given a topic schedule and a reading list.

Attendance:
Regular attendance and punctuality are indicative of serious scholarship. You should be in class, awake and aware, and prepared for discussion. Role may often be taken, and any student who has more than eight (MWF) or six (TTH) absences at the end of the term will be automatically failed -- no exceptions. Students who are regularly tardy will be denied entrance to class.

Classroom Demeanor:
Although HIS 102 is a lecture course, students are encouraged to initiate discussion and ask questions. The more engaged you are with the material, the better you will learn it, and the better you will do in the course. To facilitate an open classroom dialogue, students should not: 1) have cell phones or beepers turned on; 2) be reading the school paper or doing other homework; 3) leave early or disturb their fellows.

Books to Purchase:
* Alan Brinkley, The Unfinished Nation, Fourth Edition, Volume I.

Grading:
Grading in this course will be based upon 600 possible points.
* Four exams will be given in class, each worth 100 points
* Two one-page writing assignments, each worth 33 points.
* Nine weekly reading quizzes, each worth 15 points.
* We will use a tiered grading system as follows:

Exams:
Four multiple-choice/essay exams will be given during the term. Each of your exams will cover the quarter of the course immediately preceding it. The exams will be based upon class notes and the assigned readings. Review sheets will be posted on the web with topical guidelines for the exams.

Writing Assignments:
During the term you are responsible for reading and critiquing two articles. You may review any article listed under the Assignment link on our web page. Your first review is due by October 1; your second review is due by November 24. Your critiques should be limited to 350 words each and should focus on the main theme of the reading under consideration. You may find more information on the critiques under the Assignment link on our web page.

Academic Honesty:
"'Academic or academically related misconduct' includes, but is not limited to, unauthorized collaboration or use of external information during examinations; plagiarizing or representing another's ideas as one's own; furnishing false academic information to the University; falsely obtaining, distributing, using or receiving test materials; obtaining or gaining unauthorized academic information or materials; improperly altering or inducing another to improperly alter any academic record; or engaging in any conduct which is intended or reasonably likely to confer upon one's self or another an unfair advantage or unfair benefit respecting an academic or academic matter."

Any violation of the University's Academic Honesty standard will result in a failing grade for the course and a recommendation for University discipline.