United States History II Syllabus for 2020-2021
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Dutton Hall 202K</p>

Office Hours

By appointment

 

 

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

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Administrative Drop Policy

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

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Course

HIST-1302-017 United States History II

Prerequisites

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook:  The textbook is required for this course.  David Shi, America:  The Essential Learning Edition, vol.II  2018 (second edition).

 

Supplies

This is an online class so access to computer with reliable internet is essential.

Student Performance

After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to:

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

Behavioral Expectations/Classroom Ground Rules: This is an online course so access to a computer is necessary.  Not all assignments can be completed using a cell phone.  Students caught cheating on exams, quizzes, or other assignments will receive a failing grade (F) for that exam and may face institutional discipline. 

Withdrawals: You must initiate the withdrawal process with your instructor.  The last day to withdraw is May 4.

In order to initiate the withdrawal process, you must fill out the required form.  You can access the form in your Blackboard class under the "Withdrawal Form" tab.  You will need to get the instructor's signature in order to drop the class.

Administrative Drop:  Any student who has not attended class by the census date (March 29) will be administratively dropped from the course by the Registrar's Office.  Logging into the class does not constitute 'participation.'  An assignment must be completed to be marked as attending.

Departmental Tutoring Policy:  If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor’s directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work.

Grading Criteria

Composition of final grade will be based on the average of four exams, a Thinking Like a Historian assignment, and class homework. The grade scale is as follows:

A = 89.5 and above
B = 79.5-89.4
C = 79.4-69.5
D = 69.4-59.5
F = below 59.4

[note:  any average with .5 and above will be rounded up]

Required Examinations:  There will be four exams during the course of the semester.   Exams will be multiple choice & true/false and cover the material presented in class and the textbook. Reading the assigned chapters is essential for success on the exams! The four exams will comprise 60% of your class grade (each exam is worth 15%). Exams will be taken online in Blackboard and are timed [see class schedule for exam dates].  

Make-up Policy:  All make-up exams must be arranged with the instructor.  If the student misses an exam, the student must arrange to take the exam within one week of the scheduled test date (Please Note:  make-up exams can be more difficult and may consist of an essay portion).  If you are planning on being out of town and do not have reliable internet, contact me about taking the exam before you leave.

Thinking Like a Historian Assignment:  There is one paper assigned during the semester.  You will find the assignment and instructions in the Blackboard class.  This assignment is worth 20% of your grade.  Late papers will be deducted -10 points for every day it is late.  See class schedule for due date.

Homework:  Every week, students will have a homework assignment to submit in Blackboard.  These assignments are found in the "Weekly Assignments" folder in Blackboard and are due on the due date listed in the folder.  Late homework will be deducted -10 points for every day it is late.  Most weeks the homework will consist of two assignments that are to be submitted together.  Homework assignments are the student's responsibility.  The homework grade will be updated weekly and will make up 20% of the overall course grade.  The lowest class participation/homework grade during the semester will be dropped.  Do not email homework.  It must be submitted in Blackboard.

 

Grade Breakdown:

Four exams:  60%

Thinking Like a Historian:  20%

Homework: 20%

 
Total:  100%
 

Attendance

Regular signing into the class is necessary for student success.  Checking email and assignment dates is the responsibility of the student.

Calendar

Week 1

March 22

Chapter 16:  Introduction, Big Business & Organized Labor

      Homework #1 due 3/28 at 11:59 pm
Week 2

March 29

Chapters 17 & 18:  The South & the West Transformed; Society and Politics in The Gilded Age

  EXAM #1 open 4/1 at midnight--4/4 at 11:59 pm

 

 

Homework #2 due 4/4 at 11:59 pm

Week 3

April 5

 Chapters 19 & 20:   Seizing an American Empire;  The Progressive Era

      Homework #3 due 4/18 at 11:59 pm

Week 4

April 12

Chapters 21 & 22:  America and the Great War; A Clash of Cultures

  EXAM #2

open 4/15 at midnight--4/18 at 11:59 pm

  Homework #4 due 4/25 at 11:59 pm

Week 5

April 19

April 26, Monday

Chapters 23 & 24:  New Deal America; The Second World War

"Thinking Like a Historian" due by 11:59 pm

Week 6

April 26

Chapters 25 & 26:  The Cold War & the Fair Deal; Affluence and Anxiety in the Atomic Age

Homework #5 due 5/2 at 11:59 pm

     
  EXAM #3 open 4/29 at midnight—5/2 at 11:59 pm

Week 7

May 3

Chapters 27 & 28:  New Frontiers;  Rebellion and Reaction, the 60s & 70s

       Homework #6 due 5/9 at 11:59 pm

Week 8

May 10

Chapter 29:  The Conservative Revival
     
  EXAM #4 open 5/10 at midnight—5/12 at 11:59 pm

Additional Information

This class is a general survey of United States History from the Reconstruction to the present.  The study includes political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life in this country and follows the development of the United States as a world power.  HIST 1301 is not a prerequisite for 1302.

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

Syllabus Created on:

03/09/21 1:09 PM

Last Edited on:

03/10/21 10:03 AM