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History of United States Since 1877

HY150T-1     0001684       Spring, 2006     Thursday Eve.     6:00-8:50 PM.

Offered at Hawkeye Community College                                                          

Course Overview:   This course is a study of the events, ideas, institutions, and personalities which shaped the social, economic, and political development of the United States from the end of the Reconstruction period to the present.  It will include a study of industrialization and its impact, the development of an aggressive foreign policy, and growing involvement in a global economy.  The course will also explore the variety and multitude of contributors to American society in the period and study the contributions of women and other groups who have been politically and economically marginalized.

Examinations:  Four tests will be administered during the semester.  Test material will come from lectures and assigned readings.  There will be no make-up tests, except for those students who have made prior arrangements or for those with documented evidence of illness or crisis.

Final Grade:  Final grades will be determined through a number of criteria:  four examinations; short in-class writings; quizzes; and class participation.  Each evaluation tool will have an assigned point value.  Final grades will be determined by dividing the student’s total points by the total number of points possible for the course to determine a percentage.  Letter grades for the course will be assigned based on the following:

            A = 90% to 100%

            B = 80% to 89%

            C = 70% to 79%

            D = 60% to 69%

            F = 59% or Below

Class Participation:  Come to class prepared, having read the materials with a few questions or comments to share with the class.  Your participation grade will not be based simply on frequency of comments, but also on the quality of your comments.  Additionally, quality listening skills are important to the class.  I value highly the ability to build discussion with other class members, respecting the opinions of others (especially those who differ with you), and exhibiting respect for one another in the classroom.  Participation points are not automatic; they are earned by attending regularly and participating actively in class discussions. 

Academic Honesty:  Academic honesty is very important to me.  I expect that all work presented will represent original effort by the student.  Any violations will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.  See the Hawkeye Student Handbook for details concerning academic integrity. 

Class Policy:  Arriving to class late, talking, reading non-class material (or being otherwise distracted and distracting) are not acceptable classroom activities, are disrespectful to your professor and to other students who want to listen and learn.  This type of behavior will not be tolerated.  Please let me know immediately if you have a health problem or a disability that necessitates leaving the classroom during lectures/discussion.  Similarly, if you are likely to have a problem with getting to class on time, or leaving early, please inform me immediately. 

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protect from illegal discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Students requesting instructional accommodations due to disabilities must arrange for such accommodations through the Student Development Office, Hawkeye Center.

Required Texts: 

American History, A Survey, Volume II.  Alan Brinkley, McGraw-Hill, 11th Edition

Triangle: The Fire That Changed America, David Von Drehle Grove Press, 2003.

Hiroshima, John Hersey, Vintage Press, 1989.

Coyotes, Ted Conover, Vintage Press, 1987.

 

Class Schedule:

Week One:  Jan 12                Course Introduction

                                              Why Study History?

                                              The Impact of Reconstruction Reform

 

Week Two:  Jan 19                 Conquest of the American West

                                               Assigned Readings:

                                               Brinkley, Chapter 15 and 16

 

Week Three:  Jan 26               Industrial Supremacy

                                               The American City

                                                Assigned Readings:

                                                Brinkley, Chapters 17 and 18

 

Week Four:  Feb 2                  Quiz Over Triangle: The Fire That Changed America

                                                The Agrarian Revolt

                                                Assigned Readings:

                                                Brinkley, Chapter 19

                                                Von Drehle, Triangle:  The Fire That Changed America

                                                               

Week Five:  Feb 9                    Test One

                                                The Imperial Republic                                       

                                                Assigned Readings:

                                                Brinkley, Chapter 20

 

Week Six:  Feb 16                     The Rise of Progressivism

                                                 TR and Wilson:  National Reformers

                                                 Assigned Reading:

                                                 Brinkley, Chapters 21 and 22

 

Week Seven:  Feb 23                 Fighting the Great War

                                                 Assigned Readings:

                                                 Brinkley, Chapter 23

                       

Week Eight:  March 2                 America in the New Era

                                                  Assigned Readings:

                                                  Brinkley, Chapter 24

 

Week Nine:  March 9                  Test Two

                                                  The Great Depression

                                                  Assigned Readings:

                                                  Brinkley, Chapter 25

 

Week Ten:  March 23                  The New Deal

                                                   Assigned Readings:

                                                   Brinkley, Chapter 26

 

Week Eleven:  March 30              Quiz Over Hiroshima

                                                   World War II as Modern Warfare

                                                    Assigned Reading:

                                                    Brinkley, Chapter 28

                                                    Hersey, Hiroshima

 

Week Twelve:  April 6                   Test Three

                                                     The Affluent Society

     Assigned Readings:

     Brinkley, Chapters 29 and 30

 

Week Thirteen:  April 13               Expanding Racial Equality

                                                      The Crisis of Authority

                                                      Assigned Readings:

                                                      Brinkley, Chapters 31 and 32

 

Week Fourteen:  April 20                The Age of Limits

                                                       Changing Migration Patterns

                                                       Assigned Readings:

       Brinkley, Chapter 33

 

Week Fifteen:  April  27                   Quiz Over Coyotes

                                                        The Age of Globalization

                                                        Assigned Readings:

                                                        Brinkley, Chapter 34

        Conover. Coyotes

 

Week Sixteen:  May 4                        Test Four, 6 PM.