United States History I with Jerry Israel, PhD
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Are you interest in US History but stumped by questions like these?
- What does July 4th celebrate?
- What are the first three words of the Constitution?
- Who sewed the first American flag? (and how many stripes are on it?)
- When were all slaves freed?
Learn these answers and more with Professor Israel!
This self-paced course focuses on the characteristics of societies existing in the Americas prior to 1861. Students learn about European exploration and colonization of the New World and they examine the impact on Europe, Africa, and the young United States all with help from Professor Jerry Israel, an award winning educator.
This course puts into perspective the historical implications of modern day news headlines and political battles like those over gun control, immigration, presidential power and more.
The emergence of political, religious, economic, and social institutions is covered. Specific causes of the American Revolution are examined, as is the resulting impact on politics, the economy, and society. Students learn how the Industrial Revolution and Western movement changed the lives of Americans, they examine the causes and events of the Civil War, and they evaluate how Reconstruction plans succeeded or failed.
A personal note from The Professor aka Jerry Israel or even better just Jerry:
"I love the interaction possible by use of lively discussion boards in our online learning setting. There are so many interesting issues and questions to explore on our own and together. You will be among the very few who figure out things concerning very important subjects about which most people have no idea such as: How was the Constitution ratified? How were slaves freed? Plus together we can discuss questions such as "was the American Revolution a struggle for home rule or rather who should rule at home" or whether "slavery caused the Civil War." Let's get started!"
Buy the course for only $109 and get a copy of "The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People" at no additional cost
By including eTextbooks in our courses, StraighterLine is helping students achieve their academic goals by providing best-in-class tools to make studying more convenient.
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This course was very interesting and not too difficult. The textbook is crucial. All the tests come more from the book than the course videos.
Content Rating Overall Rating -
This course was very interesting and not too difficult. The textbook is crucial. All the tests come more from the book than the course videos.
Content Rating Overall Rating -
alot of work on your own
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This was a really good important course.
Content Rating Overall Rating -
This was a really good important course.
Content Rating Overall Rating -
alot of work on your own
Content Rating Overall Rating


Dr. Jerry Israel is the former president of the University of Indianapolis and Morningside College and a veteran higher education leader with a wide array of expertise. Prior to his college and university presidencies, Dr. Israel held multiple academic and administrative posts, from chair of the history department at Illinois Wesleyan University where he was awarded for Teaching Excellence to Academic Dean of that institution and Simpson College.
As president of the University of Indianapolis from 1998 to 2005, Dr. Israel successfully led the institutions first comprehensive strategic planning and fund-raising campaign efforts. Under his aegis, the University raised more than $100 million, supported by major eight-figure grants from the Lilly Endowment and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and introduced Centers of Excellence in both teacher education and health care. The Universitys enrollment, at both its home campus and international branches, doubled during his tenure as president. At Morningside from 1993 to 1998, Dr. Israel inherited a series of challenges resulting from compliance problems with athletic programs that he successfully resolved. By facing legal and NCAA issues head-on, Morningside, under Dr. Israels leadership, regained its prestige and advanced its enrollment and fund-raising opportunities. Dr. Israel used Morningsides 1994 Centennial to launch a comprehensive redesign of its physical campus.
He also has extensive experience with college and university accreditation issues have served for more than a decade as a peer evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
His work now centers on sharing his expertise in presidential strategy, board relations and accreditation. He focuses, in particular, on effective board communications, institutional strategic planning, fundraising and alumni affairs, crisis communications and accreditation. Dr. Israel frequently helps new presidents map out their first and most critical 100 days, six months and first year in office, assisting them in developing an evaluation tool to ensure board relations are positive and effective.
Dr. Israel is a prolific writer and speaker on higher education issues, and has served on a host of education boards and commissions focusing on developing innovative and progressive approaches in higher education leadership.
Course Objectives
After completing this Online American History Course, you will be able to:
- Apply historical research skills to major themes in American History to 1877.
- Analyze the characteristics of societies existing in the Americas before 1492.
- Detect the causes of European exploration and colonization in the New World and assess the impact of these activities on Europe, Africa, and the New World.
- Describe how political, religious, economic, and social institutions emerged in the American Colonies.
- Specify the causes of the American Revolution and evaluate the impact of the Revolution on politics, the economy, and society.
- Analyze how the institutions and practices of government evolved to create the foundation of the American political system.
- Analyze territorial expansion from 1801 to 1877 and assess its effects on relations with Native Americans and external powers.
- Synthesize and assess developments in political democracy after 1800.
- Describe how the Industrial Revolution and Western movement changed the lives of Americans.
- Specify the major causes and events of the Civil War and assess the impact of the war on the American people.
- Describe the sources and character of cultural, religious, and social reform movements in the antebellum period.
- Evaluate how various Reconstruction plans succeeded or failed.
Topic | Lesson Topic | Subtopics | Objectives |
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1 |
Old and New Worlds Meet |
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2 |
Early Settlements |
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3 | Living in Colonial America |
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4 | Road to Revolution |
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5 | The American Revolution |
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6 | The Constitution |
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7 |
The New Republic |
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8 | Jeffersonian Era |
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9 | Jacksonian Era |
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10 | Economic Revolution |
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11 | The Old South |
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12 | Antebellum Period |
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13 | Build Up to War |
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14 | The Civil War |
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15 | Reconstruction |
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16 | Course Review |
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There are no prerequisites to take United States History I.
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost. More information on StraighterLine eTextbooks
Prefer the hard copy? Simply purchase from your favorite textbook retailer; you will still get the eTextbook for free.

Known for its clear narrative voice, impeccable scholarship, and affordability, Alan Brinkley's The Unfinished Nation offers a concise but comprehensive examination of American History. Balancing social and cultural history with traditional political and diplomatic themes, it tells the story of the diversity and complexity of the United States and the forces that have enabled it to survive and flourish despite division. This fifth edition features eight new essays and enhanced coverage of recent events and developments in the continuing American story.
Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People, 5th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2004. ISBN: 9780073513232
StraighterLine provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
If you have chosen a
to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit.There are a total of 1000 points in the course:
Topic | Assessment | Points Available |
---|---|---|
4 |
Graded Exam #1 |
125 |
8 | Graded Exam #2 | 125 |
8 | Midterm Exam | 250 |
12 | Graded Exam #3 | 125 |
15 | Graded Exam #4 | 125 |
16 | Graded Final Exam |
250 |
Total | 1000 |
Final Proctored Exam
The final exam is developed to assess the knowledge you learned taking this course. All students are required to take an online proctored final exam in order complete the course and be eligible for transfer credit.
Are you interest in US History but stumped by questions like these?
- What does July 4th celebrate?
- What are the first three words of the Constitution?
- Who sewed the first American flag? (and how many stripes are on it?)
- When were all slaves freed?
Learn these answers and more with Professor Israel!
This self-paced course focuses on the characteristics of societies existing in the Americas prior to 1861. Students learn about European exploration and colonization of the New World and they examine the impact on Europe, Africa, and the young United States all with help from Professor Jerry Israel, an award winning educator.
This course puts into perspective the historical implications of modern day news headlines and political battles like those over gun control, immigration, presidential power and more.
The emergence of political, religious, economic, and social institutions is covered. Specific causes of the American Revolution are examined, as is the resulting impact on politics, the economy, and society. Students learn how the Industrial Revolution and Western movement changed the lives of Americans, they examine the causes and events of the Civil War, and they evaluate how Reconstruction plans succeeded or failed.
A personal note from The Professor aka Jerry Israel or even better just Jerry:
"I love the interaction possible by use of lively discussion boards in our online learning setting. There are so many interesting issues and questions to explore on our own and together. You will be among the very few who figure out things concerning very important subjects about which most people have no idea such as: How was the Constitution ratified? How were slaves freed? Plus together we can discuss questions such as "was the American Revolution a struggle for home rule or rather who should rule at home" or whether "slavery caused the Civil War." Let's get started!"