American History I

DESCRIPTION:
The origin, development and ideals of American institutions from the discovery of the New World to the close of Reconstruction.

RATIONALE: 
No student should graduate from Deree College without some basic knowledge of U.S. history. Depending on their background and ideological proclivities, most students attending the College have dubious conceptions of the United States and its history. This course and its sequel, American History II, will challenge some of those conceptions.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course, the student should be able to:
1. Explain the importance of the cultural synthesis that resulted from the repeated waves of various ethnic groups into the United States.
2. Outline the evolution of the American political system and government as it developed from colonial administration through the Revolution to the end of the Civil War.
3. Explain the emerging sectionalism in colonial and postRevolutionary America.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the problems of slavery not only in the South but throughout the United States of America.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the reasons for the Civil War and the collapse of the Union.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- Classes consist of lectures and interactive learning (class discussions on contemporary as well as historical cases).
- Office hours: Students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their instructor, where they can discuss the course material.
- Use of a Blackboard site, where instructors can post lecture notes assignment instructions, timely announcements, and additional resources.
- Use of library facilities: Students are encouraged to make use of the library facilities for further study as well as for preparation for the exams.