Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

United States 1607-1876 (Online)

HIST 2700-30I

Course: HIST 2700-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: HSOC
CRN: 20561

Course Description

A political, social, and economic survey of the period, emphasizing the forces for American Independence, the development of the Constitution, the emergence of Jacksonian democracy, and the causes and aftermath of the Civil War. This is a designated Service-Learning course. (Fall, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

The textbook selected for this course is For The Record: A Documentary History of America 8E Vol. 1 by David Emory Shi and Holly A. Mayer. 

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate skill with the following: (1) Use of Primary Documents–analyze, contextualize, and use primary source documents to understand the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States; (2) Interpretation–explain and use historically, politically, and economically relevant information; (3) Communication–communicate effectively about the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States; (4) Diversity–engage a diversity of viewpoints in a constructive manner that contributes to a dialogue about the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States; and (5) Integration–use historical, political, and economic methods to come to an understanding of the United States that integrates those viewpoints.

Course Requirements

Assignments
Quizzes
At the end of each segment of the class, you will have to have completed a series of quizzes. These will be multiple choice and will be worth 5 points each. Check each module for the specific topic and additional information. The quizzes are worth 20% of your grade.
Short Answer
After reading the assigned selections, you will utilize your reasoning and analytical skills to compose a short, reasoned answer to the question. Your answer should be in the form of one or two paragraphs. Each question is worth 5 points. You might want to look at the question before you read the selection. I will be grading with the following rubric:
1pt - A sentence or two with no analysis.
2pt - A sentence or two with minimal analysis.
3pt - Two sentences with thoughtful work.
4pt - A paragraph or two with minimal analysis
5pt - A paragraph or two with thoughtful work.
I consider a paragraph to be no more than 5-6 sentences. You answer should be 200-400 words
long and thoughtfully answer the question. The short answer questions are worth 15% of your
grade.
3-2-1’s
Over the course of the semester, we will be watching 6 films. After watching each episode, you will write a short but reasoned response: 3 things you learned that you did not know before - 2 specific questions you would ask the historians - 1 The Takeaway – What is the main point for you to learn and remember. These are worth 5 points each. Please keep the 321 in mind as you view the film. These activities are worth 15% of your grade.
Story Map
This assignment requires students to create an annotated United Sates map using StoryMap that digitally portrays the student’s ranking of the 10 most significant sites in American History (from 1607-1876), as well as the criteria by which these sites were ranked. For more detailed information, consult our canvas shell. This assignment is worth 20% of your grade.
Film Review and Analysis
Each student will write a three-page review of one of the following movies using the format described on the assignment page in canvas. The paper must use one-inch margins, a 12-point font, and be double spaced. Number the pages.
Many movies use the same title. Make sure you have the right movie by checking its release date. No substitutions. 

1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992) PG-13                The Alamo (2004) PG-13 

The New World (2005) PG-13                                    12 Years a Slave (2013) R 

The Mission (1986) PG                                               Amistad (1997) R 

Black Robe (1991) R                                                  Ride with the Devil (1999) R 

The Scarlet Letter (1995) R                                        Glory (1989) R 

The Last of the Mohicans (1992) R                            Lincoln (2012) PG-13 

1776 (1972) [G, Musical]                                           Cold Mountain (2003) R 

The Crossing (2000) TV                                             Dances with Wolves (1990) PG-13 

Jefferson in Paris (1995) PG-13                                 Free State of Jones (2016) R 

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) TV-14       Little Women (1994) PG
Please consult the canvas assignment page for formatting and other important information concerning this assignment. This assignment is worth 20% of your grade.

Course Outline

Week 1 – Indigenous America

Week 2 -Colliding Cultures & British North America

Week 3 - Colonial Society

Week 4 – American Revolution

Week 5 – A New Nation

Week 6 – Early Republic

Week 7 – Market Revolution

Week 8 – Democracy in America

Week 9- Religion and Reform

Week 10 – Cotton Revolution

Week 11 – Manifest Destiny

Week 12 – Sectional Crisis

Week 13 – Civil War

Week 14 - Reconstruction

Film Paper Due Sunday August 16 @ 11:59pm


Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late papers will receive a penalty of at least one full letter grade.Late papers will receive a penalty of at least one full letter grade.

Attendance Policy

This is an online class.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.