United States History II Syllabus for 2015-2016
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

HIST-1302-006 United States History II

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Degler, Desantis, Farmer, & Powell. Foundations of American History Vol II, Bundled with Required Access Card. 11^th Edition. Paper. BVT Publishing.

\ \

AND

\ \

Retrieving the American Past, Amarillo College Reader for American History Vol II. Paper. Pearson Custom Publishing. 

Supplies

Adequate lined paper and black ink instruments for all exams.

Student Performance

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.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ Students are expected to follow all Amarillo College policies and procedures.

Grading Criteria

There will be two (2) short essay examinations and a short essay final examination given.  Near the end of the semester, a 25 question multiple choice exam will be given. The multiple choice exam grade will be extra credit to be awarded as follows:  you will receive 1/2 point for each correct answer added to your worst test grade. Course grades will be determined by the average of the two exam grades and the final.  At an appropriate time during the semester the instructor will assign a short paper.  The topic and details for the paper will be given at that time.  All students are required to do this paper in which you will demonstrate your critical thinking, communication skills, and social and personal responsibility.  The instructor reserves the right to subjectively influence the final grade of the student relative to class, student participation in class, and student attitude while involved in the class.  No other grades will be given for this class.  The student is required to bring adequate lined paper and black ink instruments to complete the examination.  In the case of an emergency, one examination can be made up if approved by the instructor.  This examination must be made u within one week of the scheduled examination date unless special permission is arranged with the instructor in advance.  The final cannot be made up.  If the student is unable to take the final at the scheduled time they must file with the college for an incomplete and file the appropriate paperwork before the date of the scheduled final.

Withdrawal Policy:  If you are unable to complete the course, you should officially drop the course at the Registrar’s office on campus.  Withdrawal from the class must be initiated by the student.  Failure to do so will result in a grade of “F”.  The last day to drop the class with a “W” is NOVEMBER 17, 2015.

Grades will be awarded on the following scale:

A - 89.5 - 100
B - 79.5 - 89.4
C - 69.5 - 79.4
D - 59.5 - 69.4
F -      0 - 59.4

Attendance

The student is expected to attend all classes unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. You have to be present to learn.  ALL students are expected to be in their seats ready to take notes at the scheduled start time for class.  If you are tardy, you must go to the front desk and talk to whomever is designated.  If you have a valid excuse, they will let you into the classroom.  If you leave class for any reason after class has started, you will have to follow the same procedure as the tardy student in order to get back into the classroom.  Students are responsible for ALL information missed.  Class will start precisely at the scheduled start time and end at the scheduled end time.

Assignments and tests are as listed in the enclosed syllabus unless changed one week in advance by the instructor. All reading assignments should be completed prior to assigned examination dates. It is recommended, but not required, that the student record lectures in order to facilitate their preparation for examinations. The student is responsible for all information covered. If the student misses a class it is their responsibility to make arrangement to acquire the missed information. Roll will be taken at the beginning and end of each class.  Anyone who does not sign the exit roll will be counted absent for that class.  For every three absences the students final average will be dropped one letter grade.

Calendar

Additional Information

By the end of the semester the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all the listed learning objectives with a minimum grade of 60% competency level based on the course examinations. The course is designed to meet the needs of both history majors and non-history majors. The history major should acquire a good general background on which to build later studies of history. The non-history major should have some knowledge of an appreciation for our nation, its history, people, culture, society, economics, and politics.

\ \

In addition to the previously stated student performance goals, after studying the material presented in this course, the student will also be able to:

\ \

1.  List and discuss the factors leading to the emergence of the new South, the settlement of the West, the Industrial Revolution, and the rise of the labor movement.

\ \

2.  Describe the major issues in national politics from 1877 to 1901, describe the emergence of an internationalist foreign policy in the united States prior to 1900, and list and discuss the causes and results of the Spanish-American War.

\ \

3.  Define the Progressive Movement and cite examples of Progressive reforms in the period from 1900 to 1915.

\ \

4.  List and discuss the causes and results of the American entry into World War I.

\ \

5.  Demonstrate proficiency, as instructed, in the events of the 1920's leading up to the Great Depression, list and discuss at least five causes of The Depression, and cite examples of President Hoover's policies to counteract The Depression.

\ \

6.  Describe the New Deal and cite examples of New Deal Programs, differentiating between relief, recovery, and reform measures, and evaluate the New Deal and its critics.

\ \

7.  List and discuss factors leeading to the United States entry into World War II and be able to discuss the results of that way.

\ \

8.  Trace, as instructed, the developmeent of the cold war and national political, social, and economic issues from 1945 to the present.

\ \