Amarillo College Logo

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

Instructor Information

Instructor

Eric Fauss (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

e0571443@actx.edu

Phone

<p>(806) 371-5288</p>

Office Location

Dutton Hall 202H

Office Hours

Summer I 2023: M - TR 8:30 - 9:30 AM

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-1302-013 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The American Nation: A History of the United States, Volume I I    Carnes, et al   REVEL

Bundle with Access Code and Loose Leaf paper copy.  15th Ed.  2016

ISBN# 9780134138442

Access Code is REQUIRED and will be used for assignment grades.

Supplies

Access to a reliable computer and reliable internet. Smartphones and tablets can be useful for reading, listening, and completing chapter assignments, however, they have numerous problems with the Main Exams in this course. All student

Student Performance

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 in 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.

During discussions in the course; students are expected to be professional and follow common courtesy. The discussions in this class are meant to bring up various positions and sometimes the debate can be heated; however, it is appropriate to attack a certain argument or point of view, but it is never appropriate to attack the person who is posting information with which you may disagree.

Grading Criteria

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60 = F

Exams Average  –  40%

Discussions Average  –  25%

Chapter Assignments – 25%

Course Paper  –  10%

All make up work will be allowed at the discretion of the instructor, if at all.

Attendance

\ The online US History course will not have any on campus meetings. Students must log on to this course in AC Online the first day of regular classes and follow the instructions for the course. If a student needs individual assistance they can contact me to work out the problems or schedule an appointment.

Calendar

This Course outline will also be posted on the class site.

Date


Welcome to History 1302

Assignments and Exams

 

1-19-2016

 

Read all of the information and instructions regarding this course on this page. Be sure to read the whole page and not just the first few dates. This information will help save you time later in the course. Be sure you have also read all of the start here page and the syllabus.

 

1-19-2016

 

There is a Discussion tab on the left hand menu. Click on that tab and then click on the Topic for Introduction. Click on my introduction posting and then click on "reply". Write an introduction of yourself. It does not have to be long and is not graded. Simply state a few things about yourself for the class. Examples include: major, interests, family information, work, how far you live from campus, etc. There is no due date on this; but the quicker the better. This is just to let you get an idea of how the discussion works. The rest of the discussions assigned in this course are graded.

 

1-19-2016

 

 

As discussed in the Syllabus and the Start Here page, you will have 5 Exams total and 5 Discussions total. You will also have a short Course Paper in the later part of the semester. Additionally, there are weekly chapter assignments that state what chapters are assigned for the week. Each of those have several components that must be completed by the weekly deadline to receive any credit for the points related to those components. Be sure to read ALL OF THE ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS PAGE linked to the LESSONS-ASSIGNMENTS TAB in the course. There will be one overall Assignment Grade that will count toward the final overall average for the course. Those are all of the grades for this class. Those are the only grades that will be used to compute your overall average for the course.

 

Each Chapter Assignment is very similar as far as the reading and study material are concerned. Each chapter will have several sections of reading and study material. Each section has a short 3 to 5 question quiz. Each chapter has review quiz and a shared writing assignment. Those are all graded and count toward the overall Weekly Assignment average. Be sure that you complete all of the reading, quizzes, and shared writing assignment by the deadline of each assignment.

 

The course is divided into 5 Units. Each Unit has 3 to 4 chapter assignments. Those are all listed with detailed instructions under the Lessons-Assignments tab on the left hand menu in the course. There are also five Blackboard Discussion questions that are graded separately. They are assigned with various weekly chapter assignments throughout the course. There will not be one each week. You can see where they are assigned on this Assignment Dates page and under each of the actual assignments under the Lessons-Assignments tab.

 

Each weekly assignment will be assigned on Wednesday of the week and will be due by the next Tuesday except for the first assignment and the assignment posted just before Spring Break. So you will have at least 7 days to complete the readings, quizzes, shared writing and Blackboard discussions, so there are no excuses for not being able to complete these on time. In addition, I drop one of the five discussion grades. The Course paper will be assigned later in the semester and you will have approximately four weeks to work on this assignment. There will be detailed instructions when the paper is assigned. The average of the four main exams left after dropping the lowest will count 40% of your overall average in the course. The average of the four discussion grades after dropping the lowest will count as 25% of your overall average. The Course paper will count 10% of your overall course average. The average of all of the weekly chapter assignments will count as 25% of your overall average.

 

The Chapter Assignments completed before a Main Unit Exam are what you are responsible for reading and studying to prepare for that Main Exam. Therefore, each Main Exam just covers the chapters and readings assigned up to that exam and after the previous exam. The last Graded Exam is the Final and is only over the last few chapters assigned after Exam 4. It is not comprehensive of the whole course material. I drop one of the exam grades.

 

 

Assigned

1-20-2016

 

 

Due
2-2-2016

 


WEEK 1

Chapter 17: The Conquest of the West  

  • Introduction: The Conquest of the West
  • 17.1: The Real (versus the Mythical) West (15 points)
  • 17.2: Western Indians under Threat (15 points)
  • 17.3: The American West Exploited (15 points)
  • Summary: The Conquest of the West
  • Shared Writing: Indian Land (20 points)
  • Chapter 17 Quiz: The Conquest of the West (75 points)

 

Introduction Discussion

 

 

Assigned

1-27-2016

 

 

Due

2-2-2016

 

 


WEEK 2

Chapter 18: An Industrial Giant Emerges

  • Introduction: An Industrial Giant Emerges
  • 18.1: Essentials of Industrial Growth (15 points)
  • 18.2: Competition and Monopoly (15 points)
  • 18.3: Economic Consolidation: Good or Bad? (15 points)
  • 18.4: The Government Response to Big Business (15 points)
  • 18.5: The Rise of Organized Labor (15 points)
  • Summary: An Industrial Giant Emerges
  • Shared Writing: Big Box Stores (20 points)
  • Chapter 18 Quiz: An Industrial Giant Emerges (75 points)

Discussion 1 in Blackboard  -  DUE 2-2-2016

 

ALL of Assignments 1 and 2 MUST be complete by 2-2-2016

 

 

Assigned

2-3-2016

 

Due

2-9-2016

 



WEEK 3

Chapter 19: American Society in the Industrial Age

  • Introduction: American Society in the Industrial Age
  • 19.1: The Urban Middle Class (15 points)
  • 19.2: The Urban Working Class (15 points)
  • 19.3: The "New" Immigration (15 points)
  • 19.4: Growth of the Cities (15 points)
  • 19.5: Urban Reformers (15 points)
  • Summary: American Society in the Industrial Age
  • Shared Writing: Public Spaces (20 points)
  • Chapter 19 Quiz: American Society in the Industrial Age (75 points)

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 1.

 

 

2-7-2016

 

 

Main Exam 1 First day      - EXAM 1 will be posted this morning.  The exams are all 50 multiple choice questions and you will have 60 minutes from the time you begin. Once you go into the test you must complete your work in the 60 minute time frame. You cannot save your exam somewhere in the middle and come back to it later. Once the clock starts, it does not stop until the end of the time limit. If you get disconnected from the exam, you should try to log back in as soon as possible. This should be plenty of time for all students. Be sure to read all of the instructions before beginning the exam. The Exam will be open through Tuesday.

 

All Exams must be submitted by 11:30pm the last day the exam is available.

 

 

2-8-2016

 

 

Main Exam 1 continued today

 

 

2-9-2016

 

 

Main Exam 1 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 

Assigned

2-10-2016

 

 

Due

2-16-2016

 


WEEK 4

Chapter 20: Intellectual and Cultural Trends in the Late Nineteenth Century

  • Introduction: Intellectual and Cultural Trends in the Late Nineteenth Century
  • 20.1: Education Is “Modernized” (15 points)
  • 20.2: Intellectuals Reinterpret Darwin (15 points)
  • 20.3: Realism Triumphs over Sentiment (15 points)
  • 20.4: Pragmatism and the Knowledge Revolution (15 points)
  • Summary: Intellectual and Cultural Trends in the Late Nineteenth Century
  • Shared Writing: Winning (20 points)
  • Chapter 20 Quiz: Intellectual and Cultural Trends in the Late Nineteenth Century (75 points)

 Discussion 2 in Blackboard  -  DUE 2-16-2016

 

 

Assigned

2-17-2016

 

 

Due

2-23-2016

 


WEEK 5

Chapter 21: From Smoke-Filled Rooms to Prairie Wildfire: 1877–1896

  • Introduction: From Smoke-Filled Rooms to Prairie Wildfire: 1877–1896
  • 21.1: National Politics (15 points)
  • 21.2: African Americans (15 points)
  • 21.3: Urban and Rural Politics (15 points)
  • 21.4: Economic Crisis and Political Turmoil: 1893–1896 (15 points)
  • Summary: From Smoke-Filled Rooms to Prairie Wildfire: 1877–1896
  • Shared Writing: American Idol
  • Chapter 21 Quiz: From Smoke-Filled Rooms to Prairie Wildfire: 1877–1896 (75 points)

Discussion 3 in Blackboard  -  DUE 2-23-2016

 

 

Assigned

2-24-2016

 

 

Due

3-1-2016

 


WEEK 6

22: The Age of Reform

  • Introduction: The Age of Reform
  • 22.1: Elements of Progressivism (15 points)
  • 22.2: Political Reform (15 points)
  • 22.3: Theodore Roosevelt: A Progressive as President (15 points)
  • 22.4: Taft and the Demise of the Republican Party (15 points)
  • 22.5: Woodrow Wilson: A Progressive Democrat (15 points)
  • 22.6: The Progressives and Minority Rights (15 points)
  • Summary: The Age of Reform
  • Shared Writing: Apathy (20 points)
  • Chapter 22 Quiz: The Age of Reform (75 points)

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 2.
 

 

2-28-2016

 

 

Main Exam 2 First day      - EXAM 2 will be posted this morning. All Exams are set up the same as the 1st Exam.

 

All Exams must be submitted by 11:30pm the last day the exam is available.

 

 

2-29-2016

 

 

Main Exam 2 continued today

 

 

3-1-2016

 

 

Main Exam 2 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 


Assigned

3-2-2016

 

Due

4-8-2016
 

 


RESEARCH PAPER – ETHICAL DILEMMA

Be sure to note the due date and submit your paper by that date.

 

Assigned

3-2-2016

 

 

Due

3-8-2016

 


WEEK 7

Chapter 23: From Isolation to Empire

  • Introduction: From Isolation to Empire
  • 23.1: The Lure of Empire (15 points)
  • 23.2: War with Spain over Cuba (15 points)
  • 23.3: Seizing the Philippines (15 points)
  • 23.4: Imposition of Order on the Caribbean and Central America (15 points)
  • 23.5: Toward an Empire in the Pacific (15 points)
  • Summary: From Isolation to Empire
  • Shared Writing: Afghanistan (20 points)
  • Chapter 23 Quiz: From Isolation to Empire (75 points)

Discussion 4 in Blackboard  -  DUE  3-8-2016
 

 

Assigned

3-9-2016

 

 

Due

3-22-2016

 


WEEK 8

Chapter 24: Woodrow Wilson and the Great War

  • Introduction: Woodrow Wilson and the Great War
  • 24.1: Wilson as President (15 points)
  • 24.2: The War at Home and in Europe (15 points)
  • 24.3: Wilson's Plan for Peace (15 points)
  • 24.4: Repercussions of War (15 points)
  • Summary: Woodrow Wilson and the Great War
  • Shared Writing: Traumatic Brain Injury (20 points)
  • Chapter 24 Quiz: Woodrow Wilson and the Great War (75 points)

 

 

Assigned

3-23-2016

 

 

Due

3-29-2016

 


WEEK 9

Chapter 25: The Roaring Twenties

  • Introduction: The Roaring Twenties
  • 25.1: A New Era of Conservative Politics (15 points)
  • 25.2: The "New Isolationism" (15 points)
  • 25.3: The Jazz Age (15 points)
  • 25.4: Resistance to Change (15 points)
  • 25.5: New and Faster Transportation (15 points)
  • Summary: The Roaring Twenties
  • Shared Writing: Delights of Consumption (20 points)
  • Chapter 25 Quiz: The Roaring Twenties (75 points)

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 3.

 

 

3-27-2016

 

 

Main Exam 3 First day      - EXAM 3 will be posted this morning.

 

 

3-28-2016

 

 

 Main Exam 3 continued today

 

 

3-29-2016

 

 

Main Exam 3 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 

Assigned

3-30-2016

 

 

Due

4-5-2016

 


WEEK 10

Chapter 26: The Great Depression and the New Deal: 1929–1939

  • Introduction: The Great Depression and the New Deal: 1929–1939
  • 26.1: Economic Collapse (15 points)
  • 26.2: The First New Deal (15 points)
  • 26.3: The Second New Deal (15 points)
  • 26.4: The "Roosevelt Revolution" (15 points)
  • Summary: The Great Depression and the New Deal: 1929–1939
  • Shared Writing: Get a Job (20 points)
  • Chapter 26 Quiz: The Great Depression and the New Deal: 1929–1939 (75 points)

DISCUSSION 5 in Blackboard  -  Due 4-5-2016

 

 

 

4-8-2016

 

 

Course Research Paper Due

 

Assigned

4-6-2016

 

 

Due

4-12-2016

 


WEEK 11

Chapter 27: A Second World War: 1941–1945

  • Introduction: A Second World War: 1941–1945
  • 27.1: Roosevelt Tiptoes Toward War (15 points)
  • 27.2: War at Home (15 points)
  • 27.3: War in Europe (15 points)
  • 27.4: War in the Pacific (15 points)
  • 27.5: Uncertain Allies (15 points)
  • Summary: A Second World War: 1941–1945
  • Shared Writing: War (20 points)
  • Chapter 27 Quiz: A Second World War: 1941–1945 (75 points)

 

 

Assigned

4-13-2016

 

 

Due

4-19-2016

 


WEEK 12

Chapter 28: A New Enemy, Abroad and at Home: 1946–1960

  • Introduction: A New Enemy, Abroad and at Home: 1946–1960
  • 28.1: Containing Communism in Europe (15 points)
  • 28.2: Containing Communism throughout the World (15 points)
  • 28.3: Communism at Home (15 points)
  • 28.4: The Eisenhower Era (15 points)
  • 28.5: The Civil Rights Movement (15 points)
  • 28.6: The Election of 1960 (15 points)
  • Summary: A New Enemy, Abroad and at Home: 1946–1960
  • Shared Writing: Religion in America (20 points)
  • Chapter 28 Quiz: A New Enemy, Abroad and at Home: 1946–1960 (75 points)

SEE that this assignment MUST be completed the same day as Main Exam 4.
 

 

4-17-2016

 

 

Main Exam 4 First day      - EXAM 4 will be posted this morning.

 

 

4-18-2016

 

 

Main Exam 4 continued today

 

 

4-19-2016

 

 

Main Exam 4 - last day. The Exam will end at 11:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 10:30 pm at the latest.

 

 

Assigned

4-20-2016

 

 

Due

4-26-2016

 


WEEK 13

Chapter 29: From Camelot to Watergate: 1961–1975

  • Introduction: From Camelot to Watergate: 1961–1975
  • 29.1: John F. Kennedy (15 points)
  • 29.2: Lyndon B. Johnson (15 points)
  • 29.3: Richard M. Nixon (15 points)
  • Summary: From Camelot to Watergate: 1961–1975
  • Shared Writing: Government Surveillance (20 points)
  • Chapter 29 Quiz: From Camelot to Watergate: 1961–1975 (75 points)

 Chapter 30: Running on Empty: 1975–1999

  • Introduction: Running on Empty: 1975–1999
  • 30.1: Ford Fills In (15 points)
  • 30.2: Jimmy Carter and "Constant Decency" (15 points)
  • 30.3: Ronald Reagan and the "Reagan Revolution" (15 points)
  • 30.4: George H. W. Bush as President (15 points)
  • 30.5: Bill Clinton as President (15 points)
  • Summary: Running on Empty: 1975–1999
  • Shared Writing: The Cost of Gas (20 points)
  • Chapter 30 Quiz: Running on Empty: 1975–1999 (75 points)

 

 

Assigned

4-27-2016

 

 

Due

5-3-2016

 

 

WEEK 14

Chapter 31: From Boomers to Millennials

  • Introduction: From Boomers to Millennials
  • 31.1: The New Immigration (15 points)
  • 31.2: Modern Feminism and the Gender Revolution (15 points)
  • 31.3: Crime and Punishment (15 points)
  • 31.4: From Public Communities to Virtual Ones (15 points)
  • 31.5: Graying of the Boomers (15 points)
  • Summary: From Boomers to Millennials
  • Shared Writing: A College Education (20 points)
  • Chapter 31 Quiz: From Boomers to Millennials (75 points)

 

 

Assigned

5-4-2016

 

 

Due

5-10-2016

 

 

WEEK 15

Chapter 32: Shocks and Responses: 2000 to the Present

  • Introduction: Shocks and Responses: 2000 to the Present
  • 32.1: George W. Bush and the War on Terror (15 points)
  • 32.2: Bush's Second Term as President (15 points)
  • 32.3: Barack Obama: America's First African American President (15 points)
  • 32.4: Obama's First Term as President (15 points)
  • 32.5: Obama's Second Term as President (15 points)
  • 32.6: The Persistent Past and the Imponderable Future (15 points)
  • Summary: Shocks and Responses: 2000 to the Present
  • Shared Writing: The Future (20 points)
  • Chapter 32 Quiz: Shocks and Responses: 2000 to the Present (75 points)

NOTICE this assignment and the last Exam MUST be completed by MAY 10.

LAST DAY TO TAKE EXAM 5 (FINAL) IS MAY 10.
 

 

5-6-2016

 

 

Main Exam 5 - Final- First day   - EXAM 5 will be posted this morning.

 

 

5-7-2016

 

 

Main Exam 5 continued today

 

 

5-8-2016

 

 

Main Exam 5 continued today

 

 

5-9-2016

 

 

Main Exam 5 continued today

 

 

5-10-2016

Additional Information

No additional information available

Syllabus Created on:

N/A

Last Edited on:

N/A