History 17:  United States 1877 to Present

 

Fall 2008, TH  6:00 - 9:05 p.m., Ced 1                                    Instructor:  Shannon Van Zant

Office Hours:  Tamarack 209, cubicle G, Th 5 - 6p       Email:  vanzants@yosemite.edu

 

Course Description:  United States 1877 to present is a survey course designed to introduce an examination of Reconstruction, Western Conquest, Federalism, Industrialization, Post-Industrialization, Urbanization, Foreign Relations, Social Movements, Major Wars, the Great Depression, and Globalization.  A chronological approach will be used to illustrate major political, social and institutional developments.  This course will also examine U.S. citizens’ rights and obligations.

 

Course Objectives:  By the end of this course you should be able to identify, think analytically about and critically evaluate major issues in U.S. History.  You should also understand the nature of historical argumentation, and be able to communicate your thoughts and ideas in a coherent and confident manner, both orally and in writing.  This course is designed to strengthen your critical and analytical thinking and writing skills.

 

Course Assignments:  This course is worth 700 points.  The grades for this course will be based on three exams, three papers and three readings notes and outlines.  The specifics of these assignments are discussed separately.   No late papers or make-up exams will be accepted but assignments may be turned in early.

                2 exams @ 100 pts = 200 pts                                     A:  630 - 700

                1 final exam @ 200 pts = 200 pts                             B:  560 - 629

                3 Readings, notes and outlines = 100 pts           C:  490 - 559

                2 papers @ 50 pts = 100 pts                                       D:  420 - 489 

                1 final paper @ 100 pts = 100 pts                             F:       â 419

*The Grading Criteria for these assignments is attached to this syllabus.

 

Required Reading: 

1)  Brinkley, Alan.  American History:  A Survey Volume II, 12th edition.  McGraw Hill, 2006.

2)  Davidson and Lytle.  After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection Volume II, 5th edition.  McGraw Hill, 2005.

3)  Hoffman and Gjerde.  Major Problems in American History:  Volume II Since 1865.  Houghton Mifflin, 2002.

 

Classroom Policies:  Please be respectful.  Come to class on time, prepared with all materials and ready to work.  Needless to say, this is not a place to sleep or eat.  Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a failing grade, so be sure you do your own work and cite the work and ideas of others.  I do not accept late work and do not give make-up exams.  I do not take attendance, but your attendance and class participation will be reflected in your work, and so it is critical that you attend class. For students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological in nature, who believe that they may need special accommodations in this class, I encourage you to discuss options with me within the first 10 days of instruction.

 

*Please visit the Geography/History/Political Science Department website at http://www.gocolumbia.org/ for some useful links.

Course Schedule:

 

Date

Assignment

Date

Assignment

Aug 28

 

Oct 23

All Materials Due

By 8:00 a.m.

Sept 4

 

Oct 30

 Exam 2 Assigned

Sept 11

Paper 1 DUE

Nov 6

Exam 2 Due

Sept 18

All materials DUE

By 8:00 a.m.

Nov 13

 

Sept 25

Exam 1 assigned

Nov 20

Final Paper DUE

Oct 2

Exam 1 DUE

Nov 27

No Class

Oct 9

 

Dec 4

All Materials Due

By 8:00 a.m.

Oct 16

Paper 2 DUE

Dec 11

FINAL EXAM

6-8p.m.

 

 

     1st                      Thursday, Sept. 18th – All materials DUE

     E                 Thursday, Sept. 25th – 1st exam assigned

     X                Thursday, Oct 2nd  – 1st exam DUE

     A                Preparation:  Brinkley Chapters 15 - 23 ; Major Problems Chapters 1 – 6;

     M                           After the Fact Chapters Prologue - 9

 

 

     2nd                            Thursday, Oct. 23rd – All materials DUE

     E                 Thursday, Oct. 30th – 2nd exam assigned

     X                Thursday, Nov. 6th  – 2nd exam DUE

     A                Preparation:  Brinkley Chapters 24 – 29; Major Problems Chapters 7 – 11;

     M                           After the Fact Chapters 10 - 14

 

 

FINAL                        Thursday, December 4th  – All materials DUE

     E                

     X                Thursday, December 11th – Final Exam Assigned & DUE

     A                Preparation:  Brinkley Chapters 30 – 34; Major Problems Chapters 12 – 15;

     M                           After the Fact Chapters 15 – 17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description of Papers

 

The three papers to be written will be based on your readings from Major Problems.  They are designed to help you identify an author’s argument and the evidence used to develop their argument.  The paper will be a comparative analysis of the two historians’ work on a similar argument at the end of each chapter.  You will choose one chapter and analyze the historians essay at the end of the chapter.  Each paper should clearly identify each author’s thesis and their supporting evidence.  A comparison or contrast should be made of the author’s arguments.  Do they agree on the topic?  Do they support their position well?  How do they support it?  Which argument is most convincing and why?  This is not a personal opinion paper.  The goal is to get you to recognize and identify and argument and critically analyze its merits and faults.  The first two papers are worth 50 points each, and the final paper is worth 100 points.

 

Paper 1:  Major Problems  choose one chapter from Ch. 1 – 6.                    50 pts   Due:  Sept 11

Paper 2:  Major Problems  choose one chapter from Ch. 7 – 11                    50 pts  Due:  Oct 16

Final Paper:  Major Problems choose one chapter from Ch. 12 - 15          100 pts  Due:  Nov 20

 

All papers are to be typed, double-spaced with 12-inch font and one-inch margins.  Please only include a cover sheet – no costly portfolios.  The length of the paper is not as important as the quality of work.  I will grade you work according to the Grading Criteria, and not according to how much you write.  If you are uncomfortable with this, please come and see me.  If you have any questions on the format of the papers or what is expected of you, please ask.  It is very likely that you are not the only one that has questions.  This is your education, please treat it as such.

GRADING CRITERIA FOR PAPERS

 

1.  Is there a concise thesis, a coherent progression of ideas, and a conclusion that accurately sums up your paper?

 

2.  Did you state all parts of the author’s thesis?

 

3.  Did you develop all points and ideas equally?  Did you leave anything out?

 

4.  Were the examples or illustrations you used the best available?  Did they come from the appropriate reading material?

 

5.  Did you sufficiently analyze the arguments, not just the contents?

 

6.  Did you compare and contrast the author’s arguments?

 

7.  Are there mechanical problems, i.e. spelling, grammar, fragments, etc.?

 

8.  Are all sources used and cited – required readings (MP), class discussions, and your own critique?

 

9.  Are there factual inaccuracies?

 

10.  Does this represent something that could be used to teach others?

Description of Exams:

 

The first two exams are take home exams worth 100 points each.  The final exam may be a take home exam, and is worth 200 points.  All exams will be in essay form.  The exams are designed to enhance your critical thinking and writing skills.  It will be necessary for you to select, organize and present material from the reading, class notes, and your own ideas.  All sources used should be cited.  Plagiarism will result in a failing grade.

 

The exam will be assigned the class period before it is due, except for the final which will be assigned at the beginning of the final exam period.   If the class fails to have any further questions, the exam will be assigned that day.  If all materials are approved before the due date, you will be able to choose which exam question you would like to answer.   All exams are due at the beginning of the class following the date assigned.  I do not give make-up exams or accept late papers.  The exam questions for all three exams are included with the syllabus.  Please look them over carefully and ask any questions you may have.

 

All exams are to be typed, double-spaced with 12-inch font and one-inch margins.  Please only include a cover sheet – no costly portfolios.  The length of the paper is not as important as the quality of work.  I will grade you work according to the Grading Criteria, and not according to how much you write.  If you are uncomfortable with this, please come and see me.  If you have any questions on the format of the papers or what is expected of you, please ask.  It is very likely that you are not the only one that has questions.  This is your education, please treat it as such.

NO EXAMS WILL BE ASSIGNED or ACCEPTED VIA EMAIL!

GRADING CRITERIA FOR EXAMS

 

1.  Is there a concise thesis, a coherent progression of ideas, and a conclusion that accurately sums up your paper?

 

2.  Did you answer all parts of the question and all that was implied by the question?

 

3.  Did you develop all points and ideas equally?  Did you leave anything out?

 

4.  Were the examples or illustrations you used the best available to demonstrate the validity of your ideas?  Did they come from the appropriate reading material?

 

5.  Did you include visual aids to enhance the points of your argument, i.e. maps, charts, photographs?

 

6.  Do all of your examples support your thesis?

 

7.  Are there mechanical problems, i.e. spelling, grammar, fragments, etc.?

 

8.  Are all sources used and cited – required readings, class discussions, and your own critique?

 

9.  Are there factual inaccuracies?

 

10.  Does this represent something that could be used to teach others?

Readings, Notes and Outlines:

 

Your readings, notes and outlines for each of the exam questions, must be approved by the instructor by the due date in order to receive choice on the exam questions.  The readings, notes and outlines of the first two exams are worth 25 pts each and the final readings, notes and outlines are worth 50 pts.  If you do not get the material in by the due date an exam question will be assigned to you at the end of the class period before the exam is due.  For the final exam, if you do not get your materials in before the due date, the final exam question will be assigned at the beginning of the final period, and the exam will be written in class.

 

The readings consist of the reading you do with the required sources.  You should bring these materials to each and every class, and use them.  I will be checking these materials to ensure that you are reading, and reading effectively.  This provides a great opportunity to discuss reading strategies and identify any problems with the required readings.

 

The notes consist of the notes that you take in class, or outside of class.  I will be checking your notes to ensure that you are taking effective notes, and that your notes will be useful to you.

 

The outlines will be of the exam questions.   I expect you to outline each exam question, including citing sources and thesis statements.  These outlines will be crucial to writing a good exam.

 

These readings, notes and outlines can be turned in any time before the due date, and may be turned in multiple times.  So plan ahead, and don’t procrastinate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exam 1 Questions

1877-1920

 

  1. There were a great many myths created and perpetuated between 1877 -1920.  List, in rank order, the most significant myths, their usefulness, persistence and accuracy.  How were these myths perpetuated?  Did they illuminated or mask reality?

 

  1. In what ways did the expansion of America’s industrial economy transform America?  Be sure to assess economic, political, social and governmental transformations.

 

  1. Why was so much effort put into reform movements of the period?  Evaluate business reforms, labor reforms, the Populists, and the Progressives.  Which movements were most successful?  Why did some succeed where others failed?

 

  1. Many did not enjoy the industrial and financial capitalism in the United States.  List, in rank order, the most significant losers.  How did the winner’s understand the casualties of the American system?

 

  1. By 1920, America had emerged as an international player, representing a significant change from 1877.  Was this a gradual change?  Deliberate?  How did Americans feel about this change?  Interpret at least 5 significant events which best demonstrate this change.

 

 

Guidelines:

·         Use the Grading Criteria

·         Graphic Presentations are required

·         Include one-third readings, one-third class dialogue, one-third original thoughts (not opinion)

·         Cite all sources including class dialogue and readings

·         Do not procrastinate.  You may turn exams in early.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exam 2 Questions

1920-1960

 

  1. Who were the most significant personalities during 1920-1960?  List the political, military, social and popular personalities that helped to shape this period.  How were they viewed then?  How have interpretations of them changed over time?

 

  1. This period was one dominated by periods of great violence.  Provide a cost/benefit analysis of the most significant violence during this period.  Include in your analysis the reasons and realities behind this violence.

 

  1. List and describe the myths and realities surrounding the decades labeled as:  The Roaring 20s, the New Deal, the Fair Deal, and the Conservative 50s.

 

  1. Civil Rights came to the forefront by the end of this period.  Describe and demonstrate how individuals or groups of individuals pursued social, political, and economic protection and participations during 1920-1960.  Which group(s) was most successful?  Least successful?

 

  1. By the 1920s the U.S. had emerged as a world player.  In what ways did the United States continue on this path?  What were the costs/benefits of American foreign policy during this time?  Were there lost opportunities?  Great Wisdom?

 

 

Guidelines:

·         Use the Grading Criteria

·         Graphic Presentations are required

·         Include one-third readings, one-third class dialogue, one-third original thoughts (not opinion)

·         Cite all sources including class dialogue and readings

·         Do not procrastinate.  You may turn exams in early.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Exam Questions

1960-2008

 

  1. Myths have abounded in U.S. history.  List and describe the significant myths of this period.  What were the realities?  Be sure to distinguish between new myths and old myths that have resurfaced.  Which myths are still powerful today?

 

  1. Since the U.S. appeared on the world scene it has sought to control, influence and determine developments around the world.  Apply our Cold War Logic, Wilsonian Idealism and Global Capitalism interpretations to the most significant foreign engagements during this period.

 

  1. The term revolution has been used to describe numerous events since 1960.  List and describe the most significant revolutions.  Have there been “real” revolutions?  Was there fundamental change?  Basic reorientation?  First time appearance?  What does the term revolution mean to the American people?

 

  1. What are the costs and benefits of globalization?  What are the responsibilities that accompany American globalization?  What are the individual responsibilities of American citizens?  Community responsibilities?

 

  1. Americans distrust government and yet they expect certain things from it.  Outline and defend this ambivalence toward government since 1960.  Be sure to include the most significant and contradictory American attitudes and behaviors.

 

 

Guidelines:

·         Use the Grading Criteria

·         Graphic Presentations are required

·         Include one-third readings, one-third class dialogue, one-third original thoughts (not opinion)

·         Cite all sources including class dialogue and readings

·         Do not procrastinate.  You may turn exams in early.