United States History II Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

HIST-1302-003 United States History II

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

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.

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Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ Farmer et al. Foundations of American History Volume II. Eleventh Edition. Redding, CA: BVT Publishing, 2013. (Bundled with required access card)

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\ Farmer, Brian R., ed. Retrieving the American Past: Amarillo College Reader in American History Volume II. Boston, MA: Pearson Custom, 2012.

Supplies

\ Paper, pens, #2 pencils and scantrons for tests.  Access to a computer with internet connection.

Student Performance

\ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

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\ 1. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.

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\ 2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.

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\ 3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of United States history.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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Expected Student Behavior

\ Academic dishonesty:
\ Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Some collaboration with other students on projects is acceptable; however, students must do their own work. Papers which bear a striking resemblance to the work of other students will not be accepted. If the instructor determines that a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment.

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\ Behavior policy. To the mature adults which are members of this class I apologize for the insult imposed upon you by this section of the syllabus. Unfortunately, past behavior of your fellow students has necessitated its inclusion. Students are expected in this class to behave in a manner befitting adult, university students, with the proper respect displayed for their fellow students, the instructor, and the University. This is not junior high, elementary school, nor the Lad 'N' Lassie day care center, and I have no intention of tolerating behavior which is more stereotypical of any of the aforementioned. In order to clarify my position, the following list of behaviors are included as examples of behavior which will result in permanent expulsion from this class. A student will receive one verbal warning only. Verbal warnings may include dismissal from class for the remainder of the class period. A second incident results in permanent expulsion with no chance for reinstatement.
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\ Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:

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\ 1. banging, tapping on wall, desk, or floor

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\ 2. sleeping, head on desk

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\ 3. interrupting lecture by any unsuitable means

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\ 4. cheating in any form

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\ 5. disruptive talking/visiting between students

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\ 6. throwing paper wads or any other objects

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\ 7. passing notes

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\ 8. disrespect for fellow students

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\ 9. any other disruptive behavior

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\ 10. doing homework related to this class or any other

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\ 11. wearing headphones

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\  12. disrespectful comments

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\ 13. eating

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\ 14. moving from desk to desk, walking around room.

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\ 15. knitting, needlepoint or any other arts and crafts.

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\ 16. Cell Phones Off—No Text
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\ The instructor reserves the right to assign seating if necessary to preserve order. Contrary to what you are probably now thinking, it is not my intention to design a class which is a prison camp for college students. I am in favor of having fun in class perhaps as much as anyone; however, it must not be at the expense of an environment conducive to learning.
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Grading Criteria

\ Course requirements/grading:

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\  Exams.  There will be four major examinations during the semester including a final exam on Wednesday, December 11, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Students may drop the lowest grade on one exam other than the final.  Students may not drop the final exam.  Exams will be multiple choice and cover both the readings and the lectures. Each exam  is worth 25% of the final grade. In total, the three exams retained (the final, plus the two hightest others) account for 75% of the final grade.

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\ Makeup Exams. There are no makeup exams without prearrangement with the instructor. If a student misses an exam, that exam automatically becomes the one that the student must drop. If the student misses a second exam, then the student must arrange with the instructor to take an essay makeup exam.

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\ Las Vegas Option. On exam #3 only, if a student has achieved a minimum grade of 70 on each of the first two exams, he/she may attempt to answer all 50 of the questions on the third exam incorrectly. If a student is able to incorrectly answer all 50 questions on this exam, then a grade of 100% will be entered for this exam in the gradebook. All questions must be answered and no questions may have more than one answer. If a student is unfortunate enough to exercise this option and answer at least one question correctly, then the Las Vegas Option exam becomes the exam which the student is allowed to drop.

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\ Historical Ethical Dilemma Paper: Students will read a historical ethical dilemma assigned by individually by the insturctor. In a one page typed paper, students will briefly identify and accurately describe the ethical dilemma. Students will use appropriate insights from two or more areas of study at AC to make connections and clarify the ethical dilemma. Students will recognize connections to their own personal values and rules, articulate the sources of their insights, and incorporate personal values in a reasoned response.  Keep the length of your response to one page. The Historical Ethical Dilemma Paper is worth 5% of the final grade.

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\ Weekly Online Homework Assignment. Students will answer the online quizzes on each chapter from BVT Publishing on a weekly basis for a total of 10% of their final grade.

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\ Class participation grade. Since some portion of the readings will be presented and discussed in class during virtually every class period, all students are expected to contribute to classroom discussion. It is obviously impossible to add much to classroom discussion if you are absent, therefore, attendance is considered by the instructor in formulating the class participation grade. Class participation is 10% of the final grade. Students with perfect attendance will have two points added to their final grades at the end of the semester. Students with 1 absence will receive 1 point. Additionally, the instructor reserves the right to deduct up to all ten points from the class participation grade for behavior detrimental to the class. For example, a student who misses 20% of the class periods will probably receive only 8 of the possible 10 percentage points for the class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor. Students who continually exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or otherwise detrimental behavior may receive a zero for their class participation grade at the discretion of the instructor.

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\ Synopsis of Grading

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\ \ Three Exam scores \	\ \ 75% \
\ \ Ethical Dilemma Paper            \	\ \ 5% \
\ \ Online Homework from BVT Publishing \	\ \ 10% \
\ \ Class Participation Grade (including speech topic) \	\ \ 10% \
\ \ Total \	\ \ 100% \

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\ Academic dishonesty:
\ Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Some collaboration with other students on projects is acceptable; however, students must do their own work. Papers which bear a striking resemblance to the work of other students will not be accepted. If the instructor determines that a student is not responsible for his/her work, no credit will be given for the assignment.

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\ 90-100 = A

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\ 80-89 = B

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\ 70-79 = C

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\ 60-69 = D

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\ Below 60 = F

Attendance

\ Amarillo College Attendance Policy:  Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. Therfore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.
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\ Instructor Attendance Policy. Attendance is considered heavily in calculating class participation grade. Habitual absenteeism may cause students to lose the full ten points for class participation. Tardies count as one third of an absence, and over 20 minutes tardy counts as an absence.  Leaving class early without prior arrangement with the instructor counts as a tardy.  Leaving class 20 minutes or more early counts as an absence.

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Calendar

Additional Information

\ The Instructor reserves the right to change the syllabus and/or the calendar if necessary.