U.S. History: Discovery to Jacksonian Era

Course ID: HST-101

Audience
Adult Continuing Education and High School Programs

Course Description
What does the term American mean? Can you develop a genuine appreciation of the United States without a clear understanding of how the country began? This course, "U.S. History: Discovery to Jacksonian Era," invites you to learn about the early history of the United States. It will transport you back in time to examine the early years of the land and its people. By exploring the nation's founding from its discovery through the Jacksonian era, you will be able to identify the forces that shaped the current United States of America.

Media
The course is available in large print and in braille, digital talking book.

Organization
This course in the U.S. History series is based on Units 1 to 3 of the textbook, A History of the United States. This course is divided into three modules, which are further divided into lessons.

Credit
Each course in the U.S. History series earns 0.5 unit. Therefore, students who complete all four courses in the series will earn a total of 2 units.

Prerequisite
none

Overview
Nine assignments are submitted to the instructor.

Grading
letter grades

Average Completion Time
approximately 9 months

Supplementary Course Materials
none

Objectives and Content
Module 1, based on Unit 1 of the textbook, includes Lessons 1 to 3.
After completing Lesson 1, you will be able to
1. list highlights of Columbus's life and voyages
2. discuss the Native Americans who occupied the New World
3. identify factors that led to European exploration
4. describe the expeditions of the Spanish adventurers and their conquests of native populations
5. summarize the motives and accomplishments of the French and English explorers

After completing Lesson 2, you will be able to
1. list the effects of the Spanish Empire on the New World and on Spain
2. appraise the reign of Elizabeth I, including the unsuccessful attempts to establish a colony in America
3. summarize the events surrounding the settling of Jamestown
4. evaluate the policies of the Puritan settlers regarding religion
5. cite the achievements of other European settlers in North America
6. discuss the development of proprietary colonies

After completing Lesson 3, you will be able to
1. discuss why people came to North America and what early colonial life was like
2. trace the steps that led to colonial self-government
3. describe the events of the French and Indian War

Module 2, based on Unit 2 of the textbook, includes Lessons 4 to 6.
After completing Lesson 4, you will be able to
1. describe the major causes of the American Revolution
2. identify the key factors that led to the Declaration of Independence
3. explain how the Americans defeated the British

After completing Lesson 5, you will be able to
1. describe the formation of the new state governments
2. identify the successes and failures of the members of the Second Continental Congress
3. discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
4. analyze the process that took place during the writing of the Constitution
5. summarize how the Constitution came to be ratified

After completing Lesson 6, you will be able to
1. describe the United States in the 1790s
2. discuss Washington's first presidential term and the emergence of political parties
3. examine the state of foreign affairs and their impact on the nation during Washington's second presidential term
4. list the main accomplishments and problems of President John Adams

Module 3, based on Unit 3 of the textbook, includes Lessons 7 to 9.
After completing Lesson 7, you will be able to
1. summarize the beliefs and policies of Thomas Jefferson
2. discuss the Louisiana Purchase and its consequences
3. examine issues that arose with the courts during Jefferson's first term
4. describe America's difficulties on the seas during that period

After completing Lesson 8, you will be able to
1. identify the major events of the War of 1812
2. examine the growth of nationalism and sectionalism under Presidents Madison and Monroe
3. analyze the Missouri Compromise
4. discuss the Monroe Doctrine
5. provide evidence of the national spirit that flourished in the 1820s

After completing Lesson 9, you will be able to
1. discuss John Quincy Adams's election and term in the White House
2. explain the new politics of the Jacksonian era
3. identify the major issues of Jackson's first administration
4. identify the consequences of Jackson's economic policies