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-1302-001 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.

Recommendations and instructions for students:

1.  It is recommended that all students record all lectures for help in filling out your review sheets.
2. It is recommended that students take complete notes.  It is acceptable for students to use computer laptops when taking notes.
3. All examinations must be taken on LINED PAPER and in BLACK or BLUE ink.  Paper will be provided.
4. All cell phones must be turned off and put away during class time.  If you are expecting an important call you can put your cell phone on the front table and notify the instructor what you are doing.
5. Assignments and examination dates are listed in this syllabus unless dates are changed at least one week in advance by the instructor.

Grading Criteria

All examinations will be short answer essay.  All questions will be taken from the review sheets.  It is recommended that students bring the review sheets to every class.  THERE WILL BE TWO EXAMINATIONS AND ONE FINAL GIVEN.  Near the end of the course, a 25 question multiple choice exam will be given.  The score on your multiple choice examination will be used as extra credit.  This exam will be offered only once and you must be present on the day it is given.  Also, by department criteria, each student will be required to write a short critical thinking paper.  Instructions will be given at the time the assignment is made.

The instructor reserves the right to subjectively influence the final grade of the student based on class attendance, student participation in class, and student attitude while involved in the class.  If an emergency situation should develop, ONE examination (NOT THE FINAL) may be made up.  The missed examination must be made up within one week of the student’s return to class unless special permission is arranged with the instructor in advance.  The student is responsible for all information missed while absent.

Withdrawal Policy:  If you are unable to complete the course, you should see the instructor to request withdrawal from the class.  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 MAY 3, 2016..

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 MUST BE PRESENT TO LEARN.  All students are expected to be in their seats prior to the start of class and be prepared to take notes at the scheduled start time for the class. Students are EXPECTED to stay in class for the ENTIRE period except in case of an emergency.  On any class longer than 90 minutes (1-½ hours), adequate breaks will be given approximately every 50 minutes.  Sign in sheets will be circulated at the beginning and end of every class.  ANYONE LEAVING EARLY WITHOUT A VALID EXCUSE WILL BE COUNTED AS ABSENT.  FOR EVERY THREE UNEXCUSED ABSENCES YOUR GRADE 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.

\ \