United States History II Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Office Location

Dutton Hall 202A

Office Hours

Tuesday-Thursday 1:30-2:00 and 3:15-3:45

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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.

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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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-DC002 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

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

American Destiny: Volume II - E-Book bundled with Reader in United States History II (primary sources).


ISBN# 0-9767783-5-1

 

UT Publishing - www.utpublishing.com

Supplies

Access to a reliable computer and reliable internet. Smartphones have numerous problems with the Exams and Quizzes in this course. All students should have access to a desktop or laptop computer with a reliable internet access when taking Exams and Quizzes.

Student Performance

 

  1. Trace the development of a stable, democratic political system flexible enough to address the wholesale changes that occurred since Reconstruction.
  2. Explain how this nation has been peopled and how these waves of newcomers contributed to the cultural mosaic of the present United States.
  3. Evaluate economic and technological changes as they have affected daily life, work, family organization, leisure, the division of wealth, and community relations.
  4. Delineate the role of our nation in the world since 1877.
  5. Recount how the recurring reform movements in our history dealt with economic, political, and social problems in attempting to square our ideals with reality.
  6. Define the changes in our beliefs and values over time and describe how they have varied among different groups: women and men; non-whites and whites; and people of different regions, religions and classes.
  7. Describe the role of geographical factors in the history of the U.S.
  8. Practice critical thinking and information retrieval skills.

 


 

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 attach a certain argument or point of view, but it is never appropriate to attach 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  –  60%

Discussions Average  –  30%

Course Paper  –  10%

The makeup policy will be posted on the class site.

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 be posted on the class site.

  Date

Welcome to History 1302

Assignments and Exams

 

  1-16

 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.

  1-16

 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.

  1-16

 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. 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 the same as far as the reading and study material are concerned. The Chapter 1 Assignment explains what that assignment includes, including introduction material and reading material. It also lists some study material. Most of these assignments will also have specific readings from the Reader in US History II. The rest of the Chapter Assignments are the same as the first except when there is a discussion question added to the assignment. In such case, the discussion question is added to the assignment with a due date stated. You generally have at least 5 days to participate in each discussion, so there are no excuses for not being able to complete one on time. In addition, I drop one of the five discussion grades. The Course paper will be assigned the later in the semester and you will have approximately four weeks to work on this assignment. It will be a research paper and must be done in the same manner as a paper done for an English composition class. Style and grammar will count in addition to the content of the paper. There will be detailed instructions when the paper is assigned. The average of the four main exams left after dropping the lowest will count 60% of your overall average in the course. The average of the four discussion grades after dropping the lowest will count as 30% of your overall average. The Course paper will count 10% of your overall course average.

The Chapter Assignments completed before a Graded Exam is what you are responsible for reading, studying and preparing for that Graded Exam. Therefore, each Graded 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. The chapter assignments come from the chapters in the main text, The Philadelphia Project. The specific individual readings assignments come from the Reader is United States Government. 

  1-17

 Chapter 1 Assignment (The Gilded Age)  - All of the assignment material is found under the Course Materials icon in the Lessons Tab. If you have not purchased access to the E-Book and materials you will not have this icon. The assignments for Chapter 1 are as follows:

  1. Read the Preface to the text. Get an understanding of where we are going. 
  2. Read the Chapter Objectives and go through the Chapter Outline for Chapter 1. 
  3. Read Chapter 1 of the Text. Focus on the main text, that is the most important information. 
  4. Work through the Outline, Study Guide with questions, and Practice Quiz for Chapter 1. Working on these other exercises will help with your understanding and retention of the material.

Readings from History II Reader - 1, 2 

  1-22

 

Chapter 2 Assignment (Technology and Change) w/ discussion-Each chapter assignment is the same as the first unless there is a Discussion Topic assigned with that chapter’s assignment. When there is a Discussion assigned, it will be added to this assignment and the days the discussion will be open will be listed.

In addition to the reading, respond to Discussion question #1 posted on the Discussion Board. These Discussions are threaded so you are to also comment on a couple of the other student's responses as well as making your own response. You may participate in this Discussion through Sunday, January 27. If you want any credit for this question, be sure to have something posted by the deadline. These instructions apply to all of the discussion questions in this course.

Readings from History II Reader - 8, 9 

  2-2

 Chapter 3 Assignment (The Western Frontier) 

Readings from History II Reader - 3, 4

  2-4

 Chapter 4 Assignment (Plight of the Plains Indians)

  2-8

 Chapter 5 Assignment (Women's Rights)

  2-13

 Exam 1 First day   -EXAM 1 will be posted this morning. The exams are all 50 multiple choice questions and you will have 50 minutes from the time you begin. Once you go into the test you must complete your work in the 50 minute time frame. 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 10:30pm the last day the exam is available.

  2-14

 Exam 1 continued today

  2-15

 Exam 1 - last day. The Exam will end at 10:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 9:30 pm at the latest.

  2-16

 Chapter 6 Assignment (Divided South) -In addition to the reading, respond to Discussion question #2 posted on the Bulletin Board. You may participate in this Discussion through Sunday, February 10th. Remember to follow the same instructions as those listed under the first discussion question.

Readings from History II Reader - 5, 6, 7

  2-18

 Chapter 7 Assignment (Big Business)-

  2-22

 Chapter 8 Assignment (Labor and Unionization)

  2-25

 Chapter 9 Assignment (The Huddled Masses)

Readings from History II Reader - 10, 11

  3-1

 Chapter 10 Assignment (A World Power)

Readings from History II Reader - 12, 13, 14, 15

  3-6

 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 10:30pm the last day the exam is available.

  3-7

 Exam 2 continued today

  3-8

 Exam 2 - last day. The Exam will end at 10:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 9:30 pm at the latest.

  3-9

 Chapter 11 Assignment (Political Crisis - Populism - Agriculture)

  3-11

 Chapter 12 Assignment (Progressive Era and Reform)

Readings from History II Reader - 16, 17

  3-22

 Chapter 13 Assignment (War to End all Wars)-In addition to the reading, respond to Discussion question #3 posted on the Bulletin Board. You may participate in this Discussion through Sunday, April 5th.

Readings from History II Reader - 18, 19, 20

  3-24

 Chapter 14 Assignment (The 20's)

  3-27

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

All Exams must be submitted by 10:30pm the last day the exam is available.

  3-28

 Exam 3 continued today

  3-29

 Exam 3 - last day. The Exam will end at 10:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 9:30 pm at the latest.

  3-30

 Chapter 15 Assignment (Crash through Depression)

Readings from History II Reader - 21, 22

  4-1

 Chapter 16 Assignment (The Second World War)

Readings from History II Reader - 23, 24, 25, 26, 27

  4-5

 Chapter 17 Assignment (Post War America)

Readings from History II Reader - 28, 29, 30, 31

  4-7

 Chapter 18 Assignment (Troubled 60's)

Readings from History II Reader - 32, 33

  4-9

 Course Paper due today.

  4-10

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

All Exams must be submitted by 10:30pm the last day the exam is available.

  4-11

 Exam 4 continued today

  4-12

 Exam 4 - last day. The Exam will end at 10:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 9:30 pm at the latest.

  4-13

 Chapter 19 Assignment (Vietnam)

Readings from History II Reader - 34, 35

  4-15

 Chapter 20 Assignment (Years of Crisis)

  4-19

 Chapter 21 Assignment (The Reagan Revolution)

Readings from History II Reader - 36, 37

  4-26

 Chapter 22 Assignment (New Age with Clinton)

Readings from History II Reader - 38, 39

  5-3

 Chapter 23 Assignment (Taking on the World)  THERE IS A CHAPTER 24 BUT YOUWILL NOT BE TESTEDON THAT CHAPTER

  5-7

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

All Exams must be submitted by 10:30pm the last day the exam is available.

  5-8

 Exam 5 continued today

  

 

  

  

  

  

  5-9

 Exam 5 - last day. The Exam will end at 10:30 pm, you should begin the exam by 9:30 pm at the latest. This is Tuesday of Finals Week. This is the last day to take the final in this class.

  

Additional Information

http://www.actx.edu

Syllabus Created on:

01/15/24 6:05 PM

Last Edited on:

01/15/24 6:08 PM