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Holton 190
Dr. Jeansonne History 419
MODERN AMERICA; 1945-PRESENT
Personal Website: http://historyjeansonne.com
Spring 2015
Thurs., 3:30-6:10 Office Holton 327
Off. Hours: Thurs., 2:45-3:30 Don’t use office phone
And by appointment
Phone: (414) 837-6566 (preferred phone)
History 419 spans American history from the Cold War through the Third Millennium. Classes meet once weekly and are taught in a discussion format. There are no lectures. Laptops are permitted and auditors are welcome.
There is a mid-term exam (one-fourth grade) a final exam (one-fourth grade) a research exercise (one-fourth grade) and class attendance and participation count for one-fourth of the grade. The final exam is not comprehensive; it includes material covered after mid-term.
There will be a seating chart and roll will be taken. Students should sit in the same seat for every class on time. Students with perfect attendance will be given 3 extra points at the end of the semester. The grade for class participation depends partly on attendance and partly on contributions to class discussions. You may participate by offering comments or by asking or answering questions. You should learn from your classmates as well as the professor. Refresh your memory with the GUIDE TO HISTORY 419.
History 419 emphasizes oral and written communication. The research exercise must utilize at least five sources, including books and articles, and no more than two internet sources. Textbooks, including those used in this course, should not be used for the research exercise. A premium is placed on originality and analysis, not a narrative history of the event you select. The brief essay should be about an event not a person.
The exams will be entirely essay and there will be some choice in selection of which essays you choose to answer. There are no identification, short-answer, or multiple-choice questions. Quality writing and logical organization as well as content knowledge are expected in the essays. Content is the most important. On each exam you should select two essays to answer out of either four or six choices. Essays are based on the readings, class discussions, and your general knowledge. You should fill as much of a bluebook as possible for each of your two essays.
Students should read weekly assignments prior to class. You should be prepared to discuss the topic of the week. It is suggested that you jot down a few questions or comments to use in class. Questions are often helpful in stimulating discussion. Your opinions are welcome. The professor would prefer not to do all of the talking. Moreover, you will be graded on the quality and degree of your participation as well as your attendance.
Students are excused for major religious holidays. Good faith efforts will be made to accommodate handicapped students. Students with special needs should notify the professor early during the semester. Only handicapped students may tape lectures.
Students are responsible for reading and knowing the contents of the syllabus. Read the Syllabus before each class to familiarize yourself with the reading assignment and the topic of discussion.. The syllabus as well as the chapter organization and the time lines in A Time of Paradox are good study guides. The Course Outline sold at the bookstore provides factual summaries in condensed outline form to use for class discussions and for reviewing for exams. If you intend to teach, the outline might prove useful in the future. Please purchase the outline to complement the books. It is not a substitute for the books.
The class covers politics, popular culture, religion, diplomacy, war, gender, race, and events such as the sexual revolution, noting the ironies and paradoxes involved in such changes. The core textbook, A Time of Paradox: From the Cold War to the Third Millennium, 1945-Present, is divided into two eras of six chapters each. Each era has an introductory Prologue. There is also an Epilogue to the entire book. These provide a philosophical overview of the interpretation. Also note that each era provides a timeline, several biographical profiles of representative figures, and a bibliography. Understanding the book’s organization will help prepare for discussions and exams.
Films may be shown and discussed in class.
Students are encouraged to contact the professor with questions and concerns. Appointments in person and by telephone can be arranged. I will usually be available for questions before and after class. Be sure to ask the professor whether your choice of a topic for the research exercise is appropriate. Please do this early during the semester.
For a list of university policies point your browser to:
http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/SecU/SyllabusLinks.pdf
This course can be taken for undergraduate or graduate credit. It has a prerequisite of junior standing. Most students have taken a previous history course and should have satisfied the university’s writing competency requirement. Graduate students must write a 15-25-page research paper utilizing at least 3 primary and 5 secondary sources (more are encouraged), footnoted or end noted, with a bibliography. The paper should be on a topic since 1945 of national significance. Use no more than 2 internet sources. Graduate students are exempted from the shorter undergraduate Research Exercise.
FOLLOWING ARE THE BOOKS REQUIRED FOR THE COURSE. They may be purchased at the university bookstore, at an off-campus bookstore, or online. Books owned by the Library will be placed on reserve. Royalties from Professor Jeansonne’s books are donated to charity, usually to Habit for Humanity. Professor Jeansonne receives no royalties from any books used in his courses.
Books to be Purchased
Glen Jeansonne, A Time of Paradox: America From the Cold War to the Third Millennium, 1945-Present
Jeansonne, Discussion and Review Guide to (available at bookstore, bound; will be helpful, especially for preparing for class discussions and reviewing for exams.)
John L. Bullion, Lyndon B. Johnson
Bobbie Ann Mason, Elvis Presley
Jules Tygiel, Ronald Reagan
Schedule of Classes
1. JAN. 29
Introduction and explanation of the course. Discussion of format, exams, research exercise, required books, class discussions, grading policy, absence policy. Emphasis on oral and written communication. Adds and drops. Please make an appointment if you want to see me or consult before or after class.
Make seating chart. Sit in the same seat on the same row for every class or you may be marked absent. If you find someone in your seat, politely ask them to move.
Reading: Jeansonne, A Time of Paradox (TOP) Acknowledgements, Preface
2. Feb. 4
Politics and Domestic Policy Under Truman and Eisenhower
Beginning of the Cold War Under Truman
Reading: Jeansonne, TOP, Chap. 1
3. FEB. 11
Peace and Peril, 1953-1960
Reading: Jeansonne, TOP, Chap. 2
4. FEB. 18
The Culture of the 1950s and 1960s, Part I
Reading: Jeansonne, Chap. 3-4; Begin Mason, Elvis Presley
5. FEB 25
The Culture of the 1950s and 1960s, Part II
Reading: Complete Bobbie Ann Mason, Elvis Presley
6. March 4
The Kennedy and Johnson Years, Domestic Policy
Jeansonne, Chapter 5; Bullion, Lyndon B. Johnson, Chaps. 1-9
6. March 11
Mid Term Exam
Covers Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson domestic policy
Covers Culture of 1950s and 1960s including Elvis Presley
Covers Jeansonne: Prologue through Chapter 5
Will be entirely essay. You will have some choice in the essay you select
MARCH 15-22, SPRING RECESS
7. March 25
Foreign Policy Under Kennedy and Johnson
Reading: Jeansonne, Chapter 6; Bullion, Lyndon B. Johnson--complete
9. April 1
Film: “Lyndon Johnson: The American Experience,” Part II
Discussion of Film
Reading: None
10. April 8
MAKE UP EXAM: STUDENTS WHO TOOK THE REGULAR EXAM NEED NOT ATTEND CLASS. Covers only up to Mid-Term. Please notify the professor if you need to take the makeup. One week of advance notice is required.
Only those with an excused absence are permitted to take the makeup exam.
Students will be given fewer choices in selection of the essay on the makeup. It is in your interest to take the regular exam unless ill. Grades are usually higher.
11. April 15
The Nixon Administration
Reading: Jeansonne, Chapter 7
12. April 22
The Ford and Carter Administrations
Reading: Jeansonne, Chapter 8
13. April 29
The Reagan Years
Reading: Jeansonne, Chap. 9
Jules Tygiel, Ronald Reagan
14. May 6
Last Day of Class
A Culture of Diversity
Reading. Jeansonne, Chap 10
MAY 6; RESEARCH EXERCISE DUE AT CLASS TIME. DO NOT EMAIL THEM (I lack the print and ink to print them out and sometimes cannot open incompatible email attachments.)
PRIOR TO THE FINAL EXAM ALSO READ THE EPILOGUE TO A TIME OF
PARADOX for an interpretive over-view useful in writing the essays on the final exam. Also study the Course Outline and the readings since mid-term to review. Students who miss the final receive an Incomplete in the course. Do not place papers in my faculty box or slide them under my door because I will not be on campus after the final day of class. However, you are free to turn them in early, in person, at any time in the semester. Then you can focus your time on preparing for the final exam.
EXTRA CREDIT: Students with perfect attendance will receive 3 points extra credit on the final exam. Students can receive up to 10 points extra credit by turning in a book review about any book approved by the professor or listed in the bibliography of A Time of Paradox up until the final day of class. It is to your advantage to turn them in early.
FINAL EXAM; WILL COVER ONLY MATERIAL SINCE MID-TERM
DATE: To Be Determined.
Consult the professor to determine which courses he teaches in the Fall of 2015. Repeat students are always welcome. He will probably teach History 418, America in Prosperity, Depression, and War, 1900-1945, in which the first volume of A Time of Paradox will be used. The course will be taught in a similar, discussion-oriented format.
ENJOY THE SUMMER. It’s a wonderful time in Wisconsin.