HIS 104 – American History to 1865
© 2020 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.
HIS 104 STUDENT GUIDE 1186 (05-27-2020) Page 1 of 5
(Prerequisite: None)
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides some basic information about the Pre-Columbian world. The emphasis starts with
European conquest in the New World and moves on to colonial America, examining regions. Pre-
revolutionary America warrants special attention, including the French and Indian War leading to the
Stamp Act and the activities of Boston’s ‘Sons of Liberty”. The Declaration of Independence and the U.S.
Constitution are dissected. Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy, westward expansion, the events and
issues leading to the American Civil War, and lastly Reconstruction, conclude the course. The role of
women and various ethnic groups in the development of America receive consideration.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Required Resources
Junction Education (2017). American History to 1865 (Strayer ed.). [Webtext]. Princeton, NJ: Junction
Education.
Supplemental Resources
Civil War primary sources. Retrieved from http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/primarysources/
Excerpts on Christopher Columbus. Videos from http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/christopher-
columbus
Fifty core documents that tell America’s story. Retrieved from http://teachingamericanhistory.org/50docs/
Jim Crow Museum on Racism. Retrieved from http://www.ferris.edu/JIMCROW/
Search the collection on early American history. Retrieved from http://www.amphilsoc.org/
Women’s Rights in the 1800s’ America. Retrieved from
http://dwbproductions.hubpages.com/hub/Womens-rights-in-the-1800s-America
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Recognize the main factors that led to America’s early development.
2. Identify and discuss the different ways that the heritages of slavery, the Civil War, and
Reconstruction have shaped America’s history.
3. Summarize and discuss the ways that formal policies of government have influenced the direction
of historical and social development in the United States.
4. Examine how changes in social and economic conditions and technology can cause
corresponding changes in the attitudes of the people and policies of the government.
5. Specify ways that women and minorities have responded to challenges and made contributions to
American culture.
6. Use technology and information resources to research issues in American History to 1865.
7. Write clearly and concisely about American History to 1865 using proper writing mechanics.
This course requires use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The format is different than other Strayer
University courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details.
HIS 104 – American History to 1865
© 2020 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.
HIS 104 STUDENT GUIDE 1186 (05-27-2020) Page 2 of 5
WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE
The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work.
This includes preparation and activities regardless of delivery mode.
Week
Activities, Assessments, Content, Outcomes and Resources
1
Native American Life
INTRODUCTIONS
• Introduce yourself
WEBTEXT
• Week 1: First Contacts: The Meetings of European and American Cultures: Part I
DISCUSS
• Pre-Columbian Inhabitants (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• None
2
Contact with Europe
WEBTEXT
• Week 2: First Contacts: The Meetings of European and American Cultures: Part II
DISCUSS
• Early Globalization (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Quiz 1: First Contact (50 pts)
3
Settlements and Identities
WEBTEXT
• Week 3: Building Colonial Societies in 17th and 18th Century North America
DISCUSS
• Thirteen Original Colonies (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Quiz 2: Building Colonial Societies in 17th and 18th Century North America (50 pts)
• Assignment 1.1: A Changing World Thesis and Outline (50 pts)
HIS 104 – American History to 1865
© 2020 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.
HIS 104 STUDENT GUIDE 1186 (05-27-2020) Page 3 of 5
4
The Independent Nation
WEBTEXT
• Week 4: The Road to Independence
DISCUSS
• An Island Versus a Continent (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Quiz 3: The Road to Independence (50 pts)
5
Individual Liberties
WEBTEXT
• Week 5: Creating a New Nation
DISCUSS
• Understanding the Constitution (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Assignment 1.2: A Changing World Final Paper (140 pts)
6
Industry: A New Way of Life
WEBTEXT
• Week 6: Domestic Revolutions
DISCUSS
• The Transformation of America (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Quiz 4: Creating a New Nation and Domestic Revolutions (100 pts)
7
Life in the South
WEBTEXT
• Week 7: The "Old South"
DISCUSS
• The Reality of Slavery (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Quiz 5: The Old South (50 pts)
• Assignment 2.1: Liberty Challenged in 19th Century America Thesis and Outline (50
pts)
HIS 104 – American History to 1865
© 2020 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.
HIS 104 STUDENT GUIDE 1186 (05-27-2020) Page 4 of 5
8
A Journey West
WEBTEXT
• Week 8: Westward Expansions
DISCUSS
• Eyes on the West (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Quiz 6: Westward Expansion (50 pts)
9
A Nation Divided
WEBTEXT
• Week 9: The Civil War: Part I
DISCUSS
• Racism in the Civil War North (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• None
10
The Fight for Freedom
WEBTEXT
• Week 10: The Civil War: Part II
DISCUSS
• Opinions on the War Between the States (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Assignment 2.2: Liberty Challenged in Nineteenth Century America Final Paper (140
pts)
11
Wrap Up
WEBTEXT
• None
DISCUSS
• Course Conclusion (20 pts)
ASSIGNMENT
• Quiz 7: The Civil War (50 pts)
HIS 104 – American History to 1865
© 2020 Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information
and may not be copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of
Strayer University.
HIS 104 STUDENT GUIDE 1186 (05-27-2020) Page 5 of 5
GRADING SCALE – UNDERGRADUATE
Assignment
Total Points
% of
Grade
Assignment 1.1: A Changing World Thesis and Outline
50
5%
Assignment 1.2: A Changing World Final Paper
140
14%
Assignment 2.1: Liberty Challenged in Nineteenth Century America Thesis
and Outline
50
5%
Assignment 2.2: Liberty Challenged in Nineteenth Century America Final
Paper
140
14%
Quizzes (7 quizzes)
400
40%
Participation (11 discussions, 20 points apiece)
220
22%
Totals
1,000
100%
Points
Percentage
Grade
900 – 1,000
90% – 100%
A
800 – 899
80% – 89%
B
700 – 799
70% – 79%
C
600 – 699
60% – 69%
D
Below 600
Below 60%
F
Attendance Policy:
This course uses the Junction platform for lab work. Junction does not automatically record attendance.
Please ensure that you submit your weekly discussions to maintain academic standing.
