Course Syllabus
HIST 4052 America: A World Revolution
Fall Term 2004
3 Credit Hour

Course Learning Resources:

Freedom Just Around The Corner, McDougall, Walter
Purchase

Course Description

This course traces the development of the distinctive American society and culture from a philosophical and spiritual perspective. Key topics include the philosophical and spiritual foundations of the American social, economic, and political system.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will:
1. Understand the development of human freedom and free market systems;
2. Be familiar with the spiritual and philosophical ideas and documents that shaped the early American nature and their enduring impact on contemporary society.
3. Understand the role, limitations, and impact of government in a free society;
4. Be able to recognize and refute common criticisms of freedom and free markets;
5. Understand the concept of ownership and the links between human rights and property rights;
6. Understand the links between freedom and individual responsibility;
7. Understand the relevance of the JudeoChristian worldview to mutual trust and voluntary cooperation in a free society;
8. Understand the nature and causes of the rise and fall of civilizations.

Attendance
This is a 6 week course, and moves fairly quickly. Its requirements include assignments, discussion in the virtual classroom and tests that you will complete and submit via the Internet.

I will be available to answer questions, engage in discussion and provide assistance as needed.

Your assignments should be submitted as file attachments in either Microsoft Word or HTML format. Each assignment will be evaluated, graded, and returned with feedback. Values for each assignment and test are provided in a table below. .

Timing
Please be sure to time your assignments so that you have adequate time to complete the work in the 6 weeks allowed.

Communication
Discussion is an important aspect to an effective online course. We will primarily communicate via the virtual classroom. However, please feel free to use my email address for questions, comments, concerns, etc. and I will do the same.

Evaluation Material

Assignments and Tests
There will be 6 weekly assignments, a final paper and a final exam. The test will sent to you by email upon completion of the last weekly assignment.

Grade Components

6 Individual assignments: 10% each (60% of total)
Final exam 20%
Final paper: 20%

Grading Scale

How to Take This Course

Assignments are posted in the virtual classroom. Before you start working on assignments, please email me and introduce yourself. I would like to know a little about you, your motivation for taking this course, and what you hope to gain by taking it.

After that, to get started, just visit the virtual classroom and begin