Amarillo College Logo

United States History II Syllabus for 2016-2017
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

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

  • consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
  • consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
  • consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
  • consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
    • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

There is one textbook used in this course: The American Nation: A History Of The U.S., 15th Edition Volume 2 by Mark C. Carnes and John A. Garraty, ISBN 0134594649.

If you buy your materials through the bookstore you will be provided with a loose leaf copy of the textbook that can be placed in a 3-ring binder in addition to an access code to REVEL.

REVEL is a web based content delivery platform that provides an enhanced multimedia version of your textbook in addition to tools to help you retain the information you have learned such as quizzes and writing assignments.

Although you are provided with a paper copy of your textbook because it is easier to review material using a physical copy, you are required to use the REVEL version of your text in this course.

If you obtain your materials through the bookstore you will have everything you need; if you get your course materials through a third party you must ensure that you are purchasing access to REVEL.

REVEL provides a 14 day free temporary access period if you do not have your materials at the beginning of the semester, so failing to have your text will not be an acceptable excuse for missing assignments.

REVEL is linked to on the course menu in Blackboard.

Supplies

You are required to have regular access to a reliable computer and a reliable internet connection.

You must use a desktop or laptop Macintosh or PC to access Blackboard, which is where you will be taking your exams, writing discussion posts, and submitting your paper assignments. You may use a tablet computer or smartphone to access REVEL if it meets Pearson's system requirements (listed here).

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. Your work must be your own: academic dishonesty such as plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated and will be dealt with harshly.

During course discussions students are expected to be respectful of each other. While it is appropriate to attack a certain argument or point of view it is never appropriate to attack the person who is posting information with which you may disagree.

Please observe the proper etiquette for business emails when contacting your professor: provide a descriptive yet concise subject in addition to a professional salutation (such as Hi) and closing (such as Sincerely); additionally, you should write in complete sentences and avoid net- or text-speak. Most workplaces use email, so this should be good practice for you.

Grading Criteria

The following will be the graded components of this class:

There will be 14 Assignments that will be completed in REVEL, corresponding to the assigned chapters in the textbook. Each has a variety of activities: chapter sections will have a 15-point quiz to help you remember what you just read, a 20-point shared writing section, and a 75-point quiz on the entire chapter. Late REVEL Assignments will receive no credit. The average of all of the REVEL Assignments will be 20% of your course grade.

There will be 4 Discussions. Each discussion will first ask you to read a primary source (meaning a document from the time period we are studying) and then respond to questions about that source. After writing your response, you will then reply to one of your classmates’ responses with constructive criticism of his/her thoughts. Good discussion posts will utilize copious amounts of relevant material from the text and primary source to make their points. On the specified weeks, you must complete your initial post by 11:59 PM on Friday and your reply by 11:59 PM on Sunday. Late posts, initial and replies, will be penalized by half a letter grade and will receive no credit after being more than four days late. The discussion board, where you will post your responses, is linked to on the course menu in Blackboard. The best 3 discussions will be 15% of your course grade.

You will complete a multi-component Course Paper Project. First, you will learn how to correctly cite sources in order to avoid plagiarism. Second, you will learn how to research journal articles, and in the process write a summary of an article you have chosen to help write your paper. Lastly, you will write your paper, which will be a reflection on how you would make a decision that poses an ethical dilemma, noting what experiences or personal values you are drawing upon to resolve the dilemma. Late project components will be penalized by one letter grade per day late. Components of the project are linked to on the course menu in Blackboard. The citation exercise and article summary will each be 5% of your course grade, and the ethical dilemma paper will be 10%.

There will be 4 Exams. Each exam will have 50 multiple choice questions covering the specified chapters. You will have one hour for each exam. The exams can be saved and resumed at any point until time has expired, but the timer will continue to run if you leave the test. You must complete each exam by 11:59 PM on the due date or receive no credit; requests to make up missed exams will rarely be granted. The exams are linked to on the course menu in Blackboard. The best 3 exams will be 40% of your course grade.

Finally, you will take a 10-question Quiz on your knowledge of the syllabus and the Start Here page. You must complete the quiz by 11:59 PM on the due date or receive no credit. The quiz is linked to on the course menu in Blackboard. The quiz will be 5% of your course grade.

The exams and quiz must be taken using Respondus LockDown browser.

There will be no extra credit awarded in this course.

You may view your grades and course average any time using the “My Grades” link in the course menu.

Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria:

90-100 = A

80-89 = B

70-79 = C

60-69 = D

Below 60 = F

Your final grade will be rounded to the nearest integer.

Missed assignments will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Attendance

The online US History course will not have any on campus meetings. Students must log on to this course in AC Connect the first day of schedule classes and follow the instructions for the course. Failure to complete a graded component of the course such as the initial quiz or REVEL Assignment by the end of the day on 8/28 will result in you being administratively dropped from the class.

Calendar

Week One

 

As soon as possible, read the syllabus over carefully: this schedule is copied from the syllabus, but included here to save you time. By the end of the day on 8-28, you must complete a quiz on your knowledge of the syllabus. The link to the quiz can be found in the toolbar on the left. If you fail to complete the quiz or any other work by this day you will be administratively dropped from the class on 8/29.

 

Read and complete in REVEL:

 

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)

 

Chapter 17 is due 8-28

 

Participate in Discussion One: this will be available 8-22; initial posts are due 8-26 and replies are due 8-28

 

Week Two

 

Read and complete in REVEL:

 

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)

 

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)

 

Chapters 18 and 19 are due 9-4

 

After completing chapters 18 and 19 take the First Exam: this will be available from 9-2 to 9-4 and cover chapters 17-19

 

Begin work on the Course Paper Project Component: Citation Exercise: this will be available 8-29 and due 9-11

 

Week Three

 

Read and complete in REVEL:

 

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)

 

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)

 

Chapters 20 and 21 are due 9-11

 

Participate in Discussion 2: this will be available 9-5; initial posts are due 9-9 and replies are due 9-11

 

Don’t forget that the Course Paper Project Component: Citation Exercise is due 9-11

 

Week Four

 

Read and complete in REVEL:

 

Chapter 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)

 

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)

 

Chapters 22 and 23 are due 9-18

 

After completing chapters 22 and 23, take the Second Exam: this will be available from 9-16 to 9-18 and cover chapters 20-23

 

Begin work on the Course Paper Project Component: Article Summary: this will be available 9-12 and is due 9-25

 

Week Five

 

Read and complete in REVEL:

 

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)

 

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)

 

Chapters 24 and 25 are due 9-25

 

Participate in Discussion 3: this will be available 9-19; initial posts are due 9-23 and replies are due 9-25

 

Don’t forget that the Course Paper Project Component: Article Summary is due 9-25

 

Week Six

 

Read and complete in REVEL:

 

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)

 

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)

 

Chapters 26 and 27 are due 10-2

 

After completing chapters 26 and 27, take the Third Exam: this will be available from 9-30 to 10-2 and cover chapters 24-27

 

Begin work on the Course Paper Project Component: Ethical Dilemma Paper: this will be available 9-26 and due 10-9

 

Week Seven

 

Read and complete in REVEL:

 

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)

 

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)

 

Chapters 28 and 29 are due 10-9

 

Participate in Discussion 4: this will be available 10-3; initial posts are due 10-7 and replies are due 10-9

 

Don’t forget that the Course Paper Project Component: Ethical Dilemma Paper is due 10-9

 

Week Eight

 

Read and complete in REVEL:

 

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)

 

Chapter 30 is due 10-14

 

After completing chapter 30, take Exam 4: this will be available from 10-12 to 10-14 and cover chapters 28-30

 

Additional Information

http://www.actx.edu

Syllabus Created on:

08/19/16 9:26 AM

Last Edited on:

08/20/16 12:22 PM