COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
HIST 1302 – United States History II
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II examines industrialization, immigration, world wars, the Great Depression, Cold War and post-Cold War eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include: American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic change, immigration and migration, urbanization and suburbanization, the expansion of the federal government, and the study of U.S. foreign policy.
Course Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours
Prerequisites: none
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of United States history.
Withdrawal Policy:
If you are unable to complete the course, you must withdraw by Friday, March 22
Withdrawing from a course is a formal procedure that you must initiate. If you stop attending class and do not withdraw, you will receive the grade you earn, usually an F. If you withdraw from the course, you will receive a grade of W. Withdrawal forms can be found in the Admissions and Records Office.
Collin College Academic Policies:
Academic Ethics Statement
Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission of one’s own work material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, use of information about exams posted on the Internet or electronic medium, and/or falsifying academic records. While specific examples are listed below, this is not an exhaustive list and scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any conduct through electronic or computerized means:
Plagiarism is the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination; collaborating with another student during an examination without authority; using, buying, selling, soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else’s work for assignments as if it were one’s own; or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, failing to secure academic work; providing a paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate about an examination or any other course assignment; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
Those found to have taken part in academic dishonesty will receive a zero on the assignment or exam and the instructor will report the event to the Dean of Students Office.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Name: Craig Callon
Office Hours: By appointment
Email:
INSTRUCTOR’S WEB PAGE: http://iws2.collin.edu/cacallon
Class Information:
S 11 MWF 12 - 12:50 Room I-111
S PL1 MWF 9:00 pm - 9:50 pm PSHS
Course Resources:
TEXTBOOK --
America: A Narrative History, 8th Ed. Volume II by Tindall & Shi
SUPPLIES:
Bring a pen and paper for note taking to each class
You will also need a Blue Book for each test
Attendance Policy:
Attendance will be taken each class period after the first, not counting test days. Students are allowed four absences. The fifth, sixth, and seventh absence will each subtract 40 points from the student’s total score. Eight or more absences will result in failing the course, regardless of the total. Students must be present for at least three quarters of the class to be counted as present. Perfect attendance will result in a 20 pt bonus; missing only one day will result in a 10 pt bonus.
Method of Evaluation:
Grades will be assigned based on a points system. Students will decide which assignments to complete in order to achieve their desired point total. There are no restrictions on how many assignments a student may do. There are no make-up exams or assignments accepted late. The following chart will determine grades:
Point Total Grade
360+ A
320 - 359 B
280 - 319 C
240 - 279 D
< 240 F
Exams (4x, up to 80 pts each): Four essay exams will be given in class. Each exam will consist of two prompts chosen from a group of potential prompts available on the course website. For each prompt students are expected to reflect knowledge from both class lectures AND the course textbook. In order to take each exam students must provide a new Blue Book and not arrive later than 10 minutes after the start of class. As a bonus, students that choose to study in groups of 3-4 may email me a picture of the group at the time of study (not within an hour of normal class time) for a bonus of 8 points.
Textbook Questions (4 sets, up to 40 pts per set): For each of the chapters assigned for the current unit students must completely answer each of the “Focus Questions” at the beginning of the chapter. Answers for each chapter must be no less than a full typed page and must adequately answer the question. Turabian formatting rules apply. See the Course Calendar below for due dates and chapter assignments.
Primary Source Readings (4 sets, up to 100 pts each): Students will review a selection of three documents from “Reading the American Past” and answer the “Questions for Reading and Discussion” at the end of each document. Students must adequately answer all questions in at least two pages per document, giving a minimum total of six pages. Turabian formatting rules apply. See the Course Calendar below for due dates and document assignments.
Group Project (1x, up to 150 pts): Students will work in groups of 3-4 and do one of the following. All students will receive the same grade and projects are due by the last class day before finals.
1. Create a Newspaper: Pick a day in history which falls under the purview of the course and write a newspaper for that day. The final product should consist of a total of at least 3,500 words (about 12 pages) of well-researched and written material. The newspaper should include news stories, differing op-eds, a political cartoon, and other relevant sections all dealing with a specific date of the students choosing. A major portion of the grade will be creativity and presentation, but students must also include a bibliography of all sources consulted.
2. Analyze a Book: Students will read “The Great Awakening: A Brief History with Documents” by Thomas S. Kidd and write a joint analysis of the book. Students should read the book individually and then discuss it as a group. The analysis will consist of the following:
· As a group students will write a minimum 2 page introduction to the Great Awakening explaining what it was and its significance, themes, and effects in the short and long term.
· Each student will also write a minimum 2 page individual evaluation of the documents giving their own understanding of the Great Awakening.
· Finally, as a group students will write a minimum 4 page section outlining the similarities and differences of opinion in the group. In what areas were there agreement or disagreement regarding its legitimacy, impact, and political and cultural effects?
All sections should be compiled together for a final product of at least 12-14 pages depending on group size. Grades will be based on evidence of group discussion and on citations of documents. I am expecting heavy reliance on the documents, evidenced by numerous citations in endnote format.
Book Review (1x, up to 150 pts): Students will read a history book relevant to some topic covered during the semester. These can be biographies, military histories, social histories, or any other approved history book. A list of suggested books will be provided to students interested in this option; any books not on the list will require my specific approval. Students will read the book in its entirety and submit a paper of 6-10 pages which summarizes the material of the book, presents and analyzes the author’s arguments, and analyzes the author’s style. Students are encouraged to begin this early in the semester. Reviews will be due the last class day before finals; however, I will be available to help with this assignment if a complete draft is submitted before the third exam. Turabian formatting rules apply. Suggested books are listed on the course website.
Course Calendar
W Jan 23 – W Feb 15 Gilded Age, Western Settlement, Urbanization (Ch. 19-22)
F Feb 15 Test 1 – DUE: Textbook Questions ch. 19-22, Source Readings 17-3, 18-4, 19-3
M Feb 18 – W Mar 20 Imperialism, Progressivism, WWI (Ch. 23-25)
M Mar 11 – F Mar 15 Spring Break!
F March 22 Test 2 – DUE: Textbook Questions ch. 23-25, Source Readings 20-4, 21-5, 21-6
F March 22 Last Day to Withdraw
M Mar 25 – W Apr 17 Roaring 20’s, Great Depression, WWII (Ch. 26-30)
F Mar 29 Good Friday, NO CLASS
F Apr 19 Test 3 – DUE: Textbook Questions ch. 26-30, Source Readings 23-3, 24-5, 25-4
M Apr 22 – F May 10 Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, Civil Rights (Ch. 31-35)
F May 10 DUE: Group Project, Book Review
May 13-17 Exam Week Test 4 – DUE: Textbook Questions ch. 31-35, Source Readings 27-5, 28-2, 29-1