American Institutions

Fulfills DSU General Education American Institutions requirement.
Fulfills high school social studies elective.
Prerequisites: Writing placement score of 17 or higher OR ENGL 1010
Course Description: Surveys the historical, constitutional, and economic growth of the United States from colonial times to the present. Employs lectures, discussion, audio-visual materials, and various other instructional methods. Successful students will demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the history, principles, form of government, economic system of the United States, and the responsibilities of American citizens. **COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs) At the successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Identify and understand the major chronological and topical divisions in U.S. history. 2. Demonstrate substantive knowledge of the social, cultural, economic, and political history of the United States. 3. Develop historical thinking skills and use them to analyze major historical themes and arguments found in primary and secondary source materials. 4. Argue and write analytically, cogently, and comparatively about significant issues in U.S. history.

Fulfills the General Education American Institutions requirement. If course is not used for American Institutions requirement, it can be used to fulfill the General Education Social & Behavioral Sciences requirement.
Fulfills the high school U.S. History requirement.
Prerequisites Writing placement score 17 or higher OR ENGL 1010
Course Description Chronological survey of the first half of the American experience, beginning with the Paleo-Indian cultures and emphasizing American Independence, development of the Constitution, the emergence of Jacksonian democracy, and the causes of the Civil War, through post-Civil War Reconstruction. Includes social, political, economic, cultural, and diplomatic developments throughout this period. **COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs) At the successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Identify and understand the major chronological and topical divisions in U.S. history from the colonial era through the Civil War and Reconstruction. 2. Demonstrate substantive knowledge of the social, cultural, economic, political, and military history of the U.S. during this specific period. 3. Develop historical thinking skills and employ them to analyze key historical themes and arguments found in primary and secondary source materials. 4. Argue and write analytically, cogently, and comparatively about significant issues in the era through written exams and a brief research project.

Fulfills the General Education American Institutions requirement.
Fulfills high school U.S. Government requirement.
Prerequisites: Reading placement score 17 or higher OR ENGL 1010
Course Description Surveys the founding of the U.S. Government; the U.S. Constitution; and the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of government. Also covers politics and elections, international relations, and national security. Helps students acquire a greater understanding of the federal system and of federalism. Employs a wide variety of instructional methods including lectures, student reports, discussions, and audio-visual materials. Successful students will demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the history, principles, form of government, and economic system of the United States. ***COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs) At the successful conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Identify and understand the major topical divisions, theories, concepts, and structures of American government and the American political system. 2. Analyze governmental and political decisions and processes. 3. Argue and write analytically and coherently about significant issues and problems in American government. 4. Demonstrate understanding of American government and current political issues that relate to American government by reading significant authors and authoritative texts.