Master Syllabus
U.S. History 2341
American Indians
The purpose of the History Department is threefold. First we provide excellent instruction in the discipline of history. Second, we provide each student with six semester hours of U.S. History instruction to meet the requirements of the Texas Education Code (51.303). Third, we provide history majors with fifteen semester hours of history instruction to prepare them to successfully pursue a bachelor’s or higher degree in history at a four-year college or university.
Course Description: A survey of the societies and cultures of American Indians and how they changed through time.
Course Rationale: This course partially fulfills the legislative requirement of 6 hours of American history. Students taking this course will develop an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of Indian cultures and societies. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their reading and critical thinking skills as we examine the complexities of Indian societies and their creative adaptations to historical change.
Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes: upon completion of the A.A. degree in History students will be able to:
1. Use critical thinking in the analysis of historical facts
2. Demonstrate civic awareness in the appraisal of historical contexts
3. Demonstrate cultural awareness in the assessment of historical situations
Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes: upon completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Use critical thinking in the analysis of historical facts
2. Demonstrate civic awareness in the appraisal of historical contexts
3. Demonstrate cultural awareness in the assessment of historical situations
Common Course Objectives: After completing this course students should be able to:
1. Discuss the different images and attitudes Americans have about Native Americans and describe how and why these images changed over time.
2. Describe Native and Western theories as to how people first populated the Americas.
3. Compare and contrast Indian and European views of nature, time, and history. Also note how oral traditions and written traditions employ these concepts differently.
4. Describe the origins of agriculture in the Old World and the New World.
5. Describe the different culture areas in North America and identify them on a map. Describe the main characteristics and subsistence patterns of the pre-Columbian peoples that lived in each culture area.
6. Discuss the trade networks of pre-Columbian people. Describe the most important products and ideas that were traded.
7. Discuss the biological consequences of the “Columbian Exchange.” In particular, describe impact of European diseases on Native populations.
8. Compare and contrast Spanish, English, and French relations with Indians in the New World.
9. Compare and contrast Indian relations with English colonists in Virginia and New England. Describe the causes and results of the major conflicts.
10. Assess the impact of the fur trade on Native Americans. Describe the results of the Natives growing dependence on European goods. Describe how this trade altered inter- and intra-tribal rivalries.
11. Describe the impact of the colonial wars on Native America
12. Assess the impact of the American Revolution on Natives. Who sided with whom? Why? Describe the results for the main Indian participants.
13. Describe the origins and results of American treaty making policy with Indians
14. Discuss the origins of the Indian Removal Policy and describe Native resistance to these policies.
15. Compare and contrast the different revitalization movements that developed among Native Americans. Discuss the messages and results of each.
16. Describe the cultural patterns, major ceremonies, and political organizations of Plains Indians before the arrival of Europeans.
17. Discuss how contact with Europeans and European goods affect the economy, trade patterns, warfare, and culture of Plains Indians.
18. Describe the government policies that were designed to “civilize” the Indians. Evaluate the efforts and results of these policies. Describe the Indian resistance to white assimilation efforts
19. Discuss the impact of reservation life on tribal unity, and traditional culture.
20. Describe and evaluate the policies of the “Indian New Deal.”
21. Discuss the impact of World War II on Native Americans on and off the reservations.
22. Discuss the reasons for and the results of the “Termination Policy
23. Describe the origins of Red Power. Evaluate the goals, leaders, and tactics of Indian organizations in the 1960s and 1970s.
Describe the most important conflicts between Indians and the government during this period.
24. Describe the controversies between Indians, the government, and corporations over water rights, mineral resources, the preservation of sacred lands, and religious freedoms.
25. Discuss the continuing social problems that exist on reservations and Indian efforts to assert their self-determination.
Textbook: Colin G. Calloway, First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History.
Grading System: Depends on the individual instructor.
Course Policies: Policies on attendance, withdrawals, incompletes, student discipline, and academic freedom vary by instructor. However, the entire department adheres to the following statements on scholastic dishonesty and students with disabilities.
Attendance/Class Participation:
Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.
Withdrawal Policy:
It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should s/he decide to withdraw from the class. The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should s/he feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw s/he should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. Students are also strongly encouraged to retain a copy of the withdrawal form for their records.
College & State Withdrawal Policies:
Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.
State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities without penalty. With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count toward this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.
Incompletes:
An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student is unable to complete all the requirements for the course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.
Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty:
A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow
Student Rights and Responsibilities:
Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.
Statement on Students with Disabilities:
Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.
Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from OSD before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from the student.
Additional information about OSD is available at Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
Safety Statement:
Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and to agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.
Use of ACC email:
All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff. Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail .
Please note that students are expected to conduct themselves professionally, with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s class activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.
Testing Center Policy:
Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center. Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam. To request an exam, one must have:
- ACC Photo ID
- Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)
- Course Number (e.g.,1301)
- Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)
- Course Section (e.g., 005)
- Instructor’s Name
Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester. ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/
Student and Instructional Services
ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services. Information on these services and support systems is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/s4/
Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/
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