THE LYCEUM
Studies in History, Faith, and Civilization
A digital gathering place for lectures spanning continents and millennia. Explore American history, world religions, ethics, and more.
Enter The LyceumHIST 101
United States History to 1877
📄 Course Syllabus
Download the complete Fall 2025 syllabus for detailed course policies, schedule, and requirements.
Download Syllabus (PDF)📅 Schedule
Section: Y1, Fall 2025
Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENGL 101
Format: Online/Canvas
📚 Credits
Credit Hours: 4
Prerequisites: Eligibility for ENGL 101
IAI Number: S2 900
👨🏫 Instructor
Professor: Steven Austin
Email: [email protected]
Office: S226
Phone: 875-7211, x6392
Course Description
This course covers the development of the United States from the colonial era through the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. Particular attention is given to the founding of the Colonies, Puritan thought and culture, Anglo-French rivalry, the political and economic background of the War of Independence, the formation of the American government, the Federalists, the Jeffersonians, the settlement of the West, Jacksonian democracy, "Manifest Destiny," sectional issues, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
Through primary source analysis, scholarly readings, and class discussions, students will develop critical thinking skills and gain a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped early American society. Special attention will be given to the experiences of diverse groups including Native Americans, African Americans, women, and immigrants.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, a student should be able to:
1
Historical Concepts
Demonstrate a firm grasp of fundamental American historical concepts through 1865.
2
Document Analysis
Critically analyze documents and apply historical methods to demonstrate and enhance historical thinking and analytical skills.
3
Historical Context
Understand, analyze, and compare relationships between historical American events, issues, values, and conflicting ideals, and their relevance to the present.
4
Multicultural Perspectives
Appreciate the multicultural contributions of different ethnic groups to U.S. history.
5
Historical Perspectives
Critique and analyze differing historical perspectives and paradigms in U.S. history.
6
Historical Understanding
Gain a deeper understanding of American history and its interpretations.
Major Topics Covered
🏛️ Colonial America
European colonization, Native American societies, and the development of distinct regional cultures.
⚔️ Revolution & Independence
Causes of the American Revolution, the War for Independence, and the creation of a new nation.
📜 Constitutional Era
Federalism, the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the establishment of governmental systems.
🌾 Expansion & Reform
Westward expansion, Manifest Destiny, Jacksonian democracy, and antebellum reform movements.
⛓️ Slavery & Sectionalism
The institution of slavery, abolitionist movements, and growing tensions between North and South.
🪖 Civil War & Reconstruction
Causes and consequences of the Civil War, emancipation, and the challenges of Reconstruction.
The Historian's Workshop
11
Ethnic Cleansing
Using primary sources, you will evaluate whether the Trail of Tears meets the criteria for ethnic cleansing
Enter13, L2
Manifest Destiny as Discourse
A pre-lecture reading that introduces discourse analysis as a method for understanding how Manifest Destiny operated as a system of knowledge-production through visual culture—particularly paintings, photography, and the "Vanishing Indian" myth—to naturalize continental expansion and Indigenous dispossession.
EnterResources & Deeper Inquiry
THE PIERIAN SPRING
Deeper Inquiries in American History
"Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring." Student questions that deserve more than quick answers—explore complex topics with nuance and depth.
Visit the SpringRequired Materials
📖 Required Textbook
- Cengage Advantage Books: Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People, Volume 1: To 1877
- Authors: John M. Murrin, Pekka Hämäläinen, Paul E. Johnson, Denver Brunsman, James M. McPherson
- Publisher: Cengage Learning
- ISBN: 9781305657175
📄 Additional Resources
- Primary source documents (provided on Canvas)
- Video documentaries (available through Canvas)
- Document-based assignments and worksheets
🖥️ Technology Requirements
- Access to Canvas Learning Management System
- Word processing software with version tracking (Microsoft Word recommended)
- Reliable internet connection for online course activities
Grading & Assessment
This course follows a points-based system. Your final grade is determined by the total points you earn across all graded activities.
Grading Scale
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: 0-59
Note: Point totals are subject to change based on actual coursework assigned. Late work accepted up to 48 hours with 10% penalty per day.
Course Policies
📧 Attendance
Regular attendance is essential for success in this course. Students are expected to attend all class sessions. More than three unexcused absences may result in a lowered grade.
⏰ Late Work
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified date. Late submissions will be accepted up to 48 hours after the deadline with a 10% penalty per day. Extensions may be granted for documented emergencies.
🎓 Academic Integrity
All students are expected to adhere to the university's academic integrity policy. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action including possible failure of the course.
♿ Accessibility
Students with disabilities who need accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services and inform the instructor as soon as possible to arrange appropriate support.
Ready to Explore American History?
Join us on a journey through the founding and development of the United States.
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