HIST 2513 History of the U.S. to 1877 Syllabus W01 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 3.00 Lecture Hours 3 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
54.0102
Course Description

A survey of the history of the United States from the cultures present when Europeans arrived in the late 15th century through the Civil War and Reconstruction. Emphasis is placed on political as well as economic, cultural, and social forces which have shaped the American past. This course satisfies the U.S. Constitution requirement for graduation. IAI: S2 900.

Prerequisites

Appropriate assessment score or ENGL 1422 with a grade of C or better - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.

Course Alignment

IAI Number
S2-900
IAI Title
United States History I
General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Steven DePasquale
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
8158028742
Faculty Office Number
L310
Faculty Student Support Hours

I will be available to support your needs as students in a variety of ways.

I will be in my office on the following days and time:

Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 1:45-2:15

Thursdays 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. and 1:45-2:15

We can also schedule a virtual meeting or a face-to-face meeting in my office if the scheduled times don’t work for you.

In addition, you can contact me through email, KCC or Canvas, or the telephone. Barring an emergency I will respond to your communication within twenty-four hours.

Faculty Information

Mr. DePasquale

E-Mail: sdepasquale@kcc.edu

Liberal Arts and Sciences Division

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Distinguish between primary and secondary sources as the foundation of modern historical scholarship
  2. Interpret primary sources critically by analyzing their historical contexts;
  3. Formulate historical interpretations, both orally and in writing, and defend them critically with reference to primary and secondary sources
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the various political, social, and economic movements within the United States, including the origins and development of its peoples and cultures to 1877
Topical Outline
  1. Two Worlds Meet
  2. Colonizing the New World
  3. The Founding of New England
  4. The Expansion of English North America
  5. Colonial Slavery
  6. The English Imperial System
  7. The Battle for North America
  8. The Colonial Crisis
  9. The Revolutionary War
  10. Building a Republic
  11. Creating the Constitution
  12. The Federalist Era
  13. The Jeffersonian Republic
  14. Western Expansion and the War of 1812
  15. The New North
  16. The Expanding Republic
  17. The Age of Jackson
  18. The Reform Movement
  19. The Origins of the Women's Rights Movement
  20. The Old South
  21. Manifest Destiny
  22. The Fate of the Union
  23. Secession and Preparing for War
  24. The War of the Rebellion, 1861-1863
  25. The War of the Rebellion
  26. Reconstruction, 1863-1865
  27. Reconstruction, 1866-1867
  28. Reconstruction, 1686-1877
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Of the People: A History of the United States, Volume I to 1877.

Located as an eBook in Modules on Canvas

Methods of Evaluation

Textbook Chapter Quizzes 50% of final grade

Video Lecture Quizzes 50% of final grade

Grading Scale:

A=100-90%

B= 89-80%

C= 79-70%

D=69-60%

F=59% or less

Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Calendar

Due dates located in Modules

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.