This course will cover essential events in United States history from the Civil War era to present day over 10 weekly sessions. Students will learn about slavery, the Union and Confederacy, Abraham Lincoln, immigration, reconstruction, and more. Assessment includes online discussions, a research paper, group presentation, quizzes, and class participation. The course aims to improve English skills and cultural understanding to better prepare students for university-level study in the United States. This term will focus exclusively on the Civil War, examining a different related topic each week through documentaries, technology, guest speakers, and research.

1. United States History:
English for Academic Purposes
Instructor:Brandon Bigelow
Email: bigelow2@uoregon.edu
Course date: September 26 – November 28, 2014
Days: Friday
Time: 10:00am – 11:50am
Course Description:
Our class is a practical and thought-provoking supplemental elective to go along with core
RWG and Oral Skills classes. We will learn about essential events in U.S. History: slavery
and the Civil War, World War I and World War II, and how these times shaped the
country and culture today. Students will use their IEP skills to deliver creative
presentations, learn how to conduct research and format an essay, acquire study skills
necessary to succeed at a University. We will watch documentaries, use technology, hear
from University professors and students, and gain a cultural understanding of the United
States. This term we will be focusing exclusively on the Civil War, looking at a different
related topic or theme each week. We will have online discussions outside of class with
classmates, and other American students. Improve your language ability, prepare for
University classes, increase your cultural awareness, refine your academic skills, and
bridge the gap between the intensive English program and the University classroom.
Assessment:
Online Discussions: 15%
Argumentative Paper: 20%
Group Presentation: 20%
Class Participation/Attendance: 5%
Vocabulary Quizzes 20%

2. Note-taking Quizzes 20%
Schedule:
Topic Assignments
Week 1: Introduction & Civil War Online Discussion #1
Week 2:Union & Confederacy Online Discussion #2
Vocabulary Quiz #1
Week 3:Abraham Lincoln Online Discussion #3
Note-taking Quiz #1
Week 4:Slavery Online Discussion #4
Vocabulary Quiz #2
Essay (Rough Draft)
Week 5:Immigration Online Discussion #5
Note-taking Quiz #2
Week 6:Government Online Discussion #6
Vocabulary Quiz #3
Essay (Final Draft)
Week 7:Reconstruction Online Discussion #7
Note-taking Quiz #3
Week 8:Military Online Discussion #8
Vocabulary Quiz #4
Week 9: Civil Rights Online Discussion #9
Note-taking Quiz #4

3. Week 10: Role of History & Reflection Online Discussion #10
Vocabulary Quiz: Final