HIST 1001H: United States History to 1877 - Honors

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
District General Education: D1. Social Science
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

Common Course Language: This course is a historical survey of the United States, from Indigenous North America to the end of Reconstruction. The course also introduces students to historical reasoning skills. This is an honors course. Citrus College Details: Student must be eligible for the Citrus College Honors Program or obtain a recommendation from an Honors instructor. Formerly HIST 107H. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Citrus Details: Compare and contrast the experiences and contributions of major ethnic and social groups in American history
  • Citrus Details: Describe the influences of political, economic, cultural, religious and social factors to interpret events in early American history
  • Citrus Details: Identify important developments, events and individuals in early American history
  • Common Course Numbering Language: Demonstrate the ability to interpret primary and secondary sources and to compose an \\nargument which uses supportive evidence.
  • Common Course Numbering Language: Demonstrate an understanding of U.S. History through analytical categories such as race, \\nclass, gender, sexuality, ethnicity
  • Common Course Numbering Language: Analyze economic, political, and cultural developments as well as social movements and \\nassess their historical significance.
  • Common Course Numbering Language: Analyze the relevance of Early American History to the present day

Major Course Content

Common Course Numbering Language 

Part 1: Required Topics (Identical): 
Themes may include but are not limited to class, race, gender, and ethnicity; immigration; systems of labor; intellectual, technological, environmental, social, and cultural history; and foreign relations.

  1. Introduction to basic methods of historical research and analysis. 
  2. Indigenous peoples, cultures, and lands.
  3. European colonization.
  4. Indentured servitude, chattel slavery, and the evolution of colonial labor systems.
  5. Establishment and maturation of diverse colonial settlements and populations. 
  6. Colonial policies and imperial rivalries in North America and their implication for settlements.
  7. The American Revolution.
  8. The formation of the United States government from the Articles of Confederation through the ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  9. The Early Republic including the meanings of democracy; political parties; economic and territorial expansion. 
  10. Sectionalism, expansion of slavery, and the Market Revolution in Antebellum America.
  11. Manifest Destiny, the War with Mexico and its aftermath, and Indigenous policy.
  12. Second Great Awakening, Abolitionist Movement, Women’s Rights and other Antebellum Revival and Reforms.
  13. Crisis of the 1850s and the coming of the Civil War.
  14. The Civil War.
  15. Reconstruction

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Essays and articles on themes in early American history provided by the instructor.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

A two to three page review of an essay on early American history. The review should focus on identifying an author's thesis and include key quotes that reflect the author's main points and analysis.
A ten to fifteen page research paper that focuses on a theme in early American history. The research paper should feature a minimum of five sources and include both primary and secondary sources. Examples of research paper topics include; The Grimke sisters and the connection between the anti-slavery movement and feminism, Henry David Thoreau and the anti-war movement during the US-Mexico War and Abraham Lincoln's spirituality and the Civil War.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Students will be required to complete the following types of assignments outside of the regular class time:
Readings from course text, journal articles, primary documents and other assigned readings.
Write reviews of articles or films.
Create an original research paper on an aspect of early American history.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 3: Arts and Humanities

3B. Humanities

IGETC Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences

4F. History