History 112 C01 - U.S. History, 1865 to Present
Spring, 2011
Professor: Dr. Russell M. TremayneOffice: Aspen 125
Phone: 732-6885Email:
Course Description
This class examines important changes between 1865 and the present. An emphasis will be placed on tracing the development of the American political system, economic institutions, and U.S. culture during the Gilded Age, the Progressive Era, the World Wars, and the Cold War. The purpose of this course is to enhance critical thinking skills and student understanding of the human condition. It is designed specifically to satisfy the CSI Mission, the criteria for General Education, the Social Science Department goals, and the History Program goals listed below.
Course Requirements
Students must attend class, complete all of the reading assignments, write two 3-7 page response papers, and take two exams.
CSI Mission Statement
The College of Southern Idaho, a comprehensive community college, provides educational, social, cultural, economic, and workforce development opportunities that meet the diverse needs of the communities it serves. CSI prepares students to lead enriched, productive, and responsible lives in a global society.
General Education Criteria
- Provide a broad-based survey of a discipline and show the interconnectedness of knowledge.
- Develop a discerning individual.
- Practice critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Promote awareness of social and cultural diversity in order to appreciate the commonality of mankind.
- Foster the balance between individual needs and the demands of society.
- Reinforce reading, writing, speaking, and/or quantitative skills.
- Encourage and inspire life-long learning.
- Encourage creativity.
Social Science Department Goals
- Understand important facts, concepts and theories of Social Science subjects.
- Acquire techniques and methods used to gain new knowledge in the disciplines.
- Develop ability to distinguish between fact and opinion.
- Use evaluation, analysis and synthesis to interpret and solve problems.
- Use different perspectives from the social sciences and education to make better-informed decisions.
- Acquire an informed understanding of various cultures.
- Prepare to transfer to a university.
History Program Goals
- Examine central themes of United States History and various cultures in Western Civilization and Latin America.
- Use reading, lecture-discussion, and supplementary material to understand and interpret the past.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the past by writing interpretive essays.
- Explore different perspectives about the past.
- Acquire an appreciation of the historical process which will encourage a lifelong study of the past.
Required Books
A People and a Nation. V II, M.B. Norton.
America Compared. V II, Carl Guarneri, 2005.
Grades
Responses Papers (100 pts each) = 200
Exams (100 pts. Each) = 200
Participation = 100
Total = 500
Letter grades are calculated on a standard scale:90% and above = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Honesty Policy
The CSI Honesty Policy, explained on pages 15-16 of the College Catalog applies to this class. Students must produce original work. Although the professor encourages the honor system, any cheating or plagiarism will result in failure for the class.
Outcomes Assessment
Objective: Enhance critical thinking skills, examine historical developments in early U.S. history, and further understanding of the human condition.
The CSI, General Education, and Social Science Department goals listed above are also course objectives. Essay exams will be the primary tool used to assess student progress and development. More specifically, mid-term andfinalexams will assess student command of facts and concepts, measure their ability to distinguish fact from opinion, and test their skill using analysis and synthesis. Essays reinforce reading and writing skills, encourage life-long learning and creativity, and make students draw reasonable inferences from observations. Reading tests examine a student’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They force students to use analysis to break a whole idea into its component parts and use synthesis to bring component parts together into a concept.
On-Line Course Evaluation Statement: Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course. Evaluations are very important to assist the teaching staff to continually improve the course. Evaluations are available online at Evaluations open up two weeks prior to the end of the course. T he last day to complete an evaluation is the last day of the course. During the time the evaluations are open, students can complete the course evaluations at their convenience from any computer with Internet access, including in the open lab in the Library and in the SUB. When students log in, they should see the evaluations for the courses in which they are enrolled. Evaluations are anonymous. Filling out the evaluation should only take a few minutes. Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated!
Student Eligibility for Disability Services: To determine eligibility and secure services, students should contact the coordinator of Disability Services at their first opportunity after registration for a class. Student Disability Services is located on the second floor of the TaylorBuilding on the Twin Falls Campus. (208) 732-6260 (voice) or (208) 734-9929 (TTY), or email .
Class and Reading Schedule
Week One–Gilded Age. Read chapter 16, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 1 and 2.
Week Two – Read chapter 17, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 3 and 4.
Week Three - Read chapter 18, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 5 and 6.
Week Four – Read chapter 19, Norton.
Reading Response #1due February 11.
Week Five–The Progressive Era. Read chapter 20,Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 7 and 8.
Week Six – Read chapter 21, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 9 and 10.
Week Seven - Read chapter 22, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 11 and 12.
Week Eight – Read chapter 23, Norton.
March 11. Exam
Week Nine– Read chapter 24, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 13 and 14.
Week Ten–Read chapter 25, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 15 and 16.
Week Eleven- Read chapter 26, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 17 and 18.
Week Twelve – Read chapter 27, Norton.
Reading Response #2due April 8.
Week Thirteen– Read Chapter 28, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 19 and 20.
Week Fourteen – Read chapter 29, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 21 and 22.
Week Fifteen- Read chapter 30, Norton. Read Guarneri, chapters 23 and 24.
Week Sixteen – Read chapter 31, Norton.
May 6; Final Exam