Example of freshman level, undergraduate history class syllabus.

This is an example taken from a class at UT Arlington.

HIST 1301: History of the United States to 1865

Fall 2019

Instructor Information

Instructor:

Timothy Reed

Course Information

Section Information:

HIST 1301-01

Description of Course Content: This course traces the growth of the United States, beginning with the historical developments and events which occurred before and during initial colonial period. It continues with the European colonizers from the 16th century, and follows the major political, military, and social events through the conclusion of the Civil War. Emphasis is also placed on economic, religious, diplomatic, and philosophical issues.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be to identify the powerful and influential North American tribes that existed in the areas that European colonizers first landed.

2. Students will be able to analyze how different European immigrants affected different regions of America in a unique way.

3. Students will be able to identify the major events leading up to the Revolutionary War, and explain its outcomes.

4. Students will demonstrate basic writing skills in responding to prompts about how the early American states developed in the new republic.

5. Students will be able to identify the causes, major events, and immediate results of the Civil War.

6. Students will analyze opposing viewpoints, mostly through the class discussions, on key topics covered in class.

Required Textbooks and Other Course Materials:

1. Goldfield, Abbott, Anderson, Argersinger, & Barney, The American Journey, Volume 1 to 1865, Eighth Edition (New York: Pearson Publishing, 2016)

2. Two topical articles will be posted on Canvas

3. Two short videos will be posted on Canvas

Descriptions of major assignments and examinations as well as how grade is determined:

1. Two Unit Exams. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions and cover the in-class lectures and assigned textbook reading (15% each – 30% total).

2. Three quizzes (5% each – 15% total) The quizzes will be multiple choice questions that cover the lecture, and administered at random. The questions from these quizzes will be very similar to questions found on the exams, so it would be greatly beneficial to the students to attend class for these quizzes.

3. Four short answer responses. These will be done outside of class, and turned in to me directly. The short answers will be responses to the videos and articles posted on Canvas. A small group, and class wide discussion will follow over the article or video assigned. The lowest graded of these will be dropped. (10% each)

4. Final Exam. Like the two other exams, the Final will be a combination of multiple choice and short answer questions. It will be comprehensive, but the majority of the questions will cover the material after the last midterm. (25%)

Course Objectives

1. To create a place for students to engage in classroom discussions with the instructor and other students.

2. To compel the students to practice college level studying and reading habits.

3. To combine the teaching materials, assignments, and discussions in order to facilitate the development of critical thinking.

4. To begin the process of student writing with a history focus.

Course Schedule

Regular class times are Monday and Wednesday, Friday of each week will be optional for those who want to come to class for group discussion. As the instructor for this course, I reserve the right to adjust this schedule in any way that serves the educational needs of the students enrolled in this course. – Timothy Reed

August 19 – First day of class. Review the syllabus and required class materials. The calendar and important dates will also be discussed. Small groups will form on this day for optional Friday meetings.

August 21 – Begin Unit 1 Lecture.

August 26 – Unit 1 Lecture.

August 28 – Unit 1 Lecture.

September 2 – Labor Day, no class.

September 4 – Unit 1 Lecture.

September 9 – First Short answer response due, discussion to follow.

September 11 – Unit 1 Lecture.

September 16 – Unit 1 Lecture.

September 18 – Unit 1 Lecture.

September 23 – Unit 1 Lecture.

September 25 – Finish Unit 1 Lecture, Review for Exam.

September 30 – Unit 1 Exam

October 2 – Begin Unit 2 Lecture

October 7 – Unit 2 Lecture

October 9 – Second short answer response due, discussion to follow.

October 14 – Unit 2 Lecture.

October 16 – Unit 2 Lecture.

October 21 – Unit 2 Lecture.

October 23 – Unit 2 Lecture.

October 28 – Third short answer response due, discussion to follow.

October 30 – Unit 2 Lecture.

November 4 – Finish Unit 2 Lecture, Review for Exam.

November 6 – Unit 2 Exam.

November 11 – Begin Unit 3 Lecture.

November 13 – Unit 3 Lecture.

November 18 – Unit 3 Lecture.

November 20 – Unit 3 Lecture.

November 25 – Thanksgiving holiday, no class

November 27 – Thanksgiving holiday, no class

December 2 – Unit 3 Lecture.

December 4 – Fourth short answer response due, discussion to follow.

December 9 – Finish Unit 3 Lecture

December 11 – Review for final exam, last day of class

December 16 – Final Exam

· Academic Integrity

· Student Feedback Survey

· Final Exam Schedule

Additional Information

Attendance:

· Tit of Texas at Arlington, taking attendance is not required but attendance is a critical indicator of student success. Each faculty member is free to develop his or her own methods of evaluating students’ academic performance, which includes establishing course-specific policies on attendance. As the instructor of this section, I expect you to be in class when it is scheduled face to face unless you have an excused absence from me. However, while UT Arlington does not require instructors to take attendance in their courses, the U.S.