HIST 103: U.S. to 1877
This home page for HIST 103, offered via NDSU Distance & Continuing Education, provides entry to a collection of web pages that support learning in the course. The website answers all the customary requirements of a course syllabus. Explore the website and use it as a reference throughout the course. To meet the instructors of the course, post assignments, and engage in the (required) participation elements of the course, go to the HIST 103 Facebook page. The Facebook page is the headquarters for course communications. (The course does NOT use Blackboard.) Welcome to HIST 103! |
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| Study Guides |
About the Course |
Course Administration |
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1. History and Mythistory
2. American Indian Cultures
3. Imperialism
4. Life in the English Colonies
5. The Revolution
6. The Constitution
7. Federalists and Republicans
8. The War of 1812
9. Democracy
10. The Mexican War
11. Crossing the Plains
12. Slavery
13. Bleeding Kansas
14. The Civil War
15. Reconstruction
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This course is authored by Dr. Tom Isern, Professor of History & University Distinguished Professor, North Dakota State University. It is substantially the same course as he has taught for many years on campus, repackaged for distance delivery. The lectures are talking PowerPoint files loaded onto CDs, which are mailed to each student. Quizzes are taken online using a custom quiz program called WebQuiz. Other required work is submitted, and participation takes place, using the Facebook page of the course.
The instructional team for the course includes, besides Prof. Isern (who appears only occasionally in everyday transactions of the course, and mostly does troubleshooting behind the scenes)
- Dr. Miles Lewis, your instructor for the course
- Dr. Suzzanne Kelley, who handles logistics of course delivery and quality control
The course is NOT asynchronic; this is to say, it is not a work-at-your-own-pace-anytime course. There is a unit for every week, and you have to keep pace. So, you have flexibility as to just when you do the work (2am in your jammies, it's all the same to us), but you have to stay within the overall unit timeframe.
One more thing to emphasize: the course places value on responsibility and engagement. Post your assignments, but also enter into the discussions. That not only helps your grade but also makes the experience better for everyone. Thanks for lending a hand!
Goals - what we're trying to accomplish here
Grades - how you are evaluated and grades awarded
Lectures - handling the CDs
Quizzes - taken online
Participation - online discussions of Tocqueville
Soft-Point Assignments - consider the options
Scholastic Honesty
Resources
How to Ace the Course
The required text is Democracy in America, by Alexis de Tocqueville, available in the Varsity Mart (or from online vendors). For an online version of TQ, along with some great context material, go to
University of Virginia Hypertexts.
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| Bulletin description: | Survey of United States history to 1877, emphasizing major political, economic, social, and cultural developments. |
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| General Education: | Meets requirements for Humanities |
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| History Major: | Lower-division course counting toward the major |
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| Accommodations for persons with disabilities: | Any students with disabilities who need accommodations in this course are encouraged to speak with Professor Isern as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements. |
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Isern Home Page / NDSU History Department
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