History 1700 American Civilization
Learning Objectives
Utah State Code requires that: " a
student shall demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the history, principles, form of
government, and economic system of the United States prior to receiving a bachelor's
degree or teaching credential." Successful completion of this course will satisfy
this American Institutions requirement.
The History Department of Weber State sets these
learning goals for this course:
- History: Students will gain a historical
perspective of American Civilization, to include a basic knowledge of the historical
method with its reliance on evidence, skepticism, criticism, and the recognition of bias.
- Principles: Students will come to
understand the concepts of republicanism, democracy, due process of law, equal protection,
inalienable rights, and civil rights.
- Form of Government:
Students will come to
understand the workings of government at the national, state and local levels.
- Economic System: Students will come
to understand transformation of the U.S. from an agrarian-based to an industrial-based to
an information-based economy. Students will come to understand the consequences of
those transformations on various groups of people in the U.S.
- Diversity: Student will gain appreciation
for the rich cultural heritage of the American people and the ways in which race, class,
gender, sexual orientation, creed, national origin intersect to define us as individuals
and as members of groups.
I have additional goals for students taking this course:
- Thinking: Critical thinking is more
challenging to improve and to assess. There will be questions and problem solving as part
of class discussion. There will be vehicles for expressing your struggles with ideas and
interpretations.
- Civic Engagement: Students
will consider what it means to be a citizen and will
be engaged in activities designed to help them with this objective.
There will be a number of activities in support
of your achieving these goals. There will be a number of activities by which you will
demonstrate your achievement of these goals.
