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HIST 2112-13 US History since Reconstruction
Course Syllabus Fall 2012
Welcome to History 2112-US History since Reconstruction! This class will provide a broad survey
of 140 years of American history, during which the country transformed itself into an industrial
powerhouse and became an international super power. The objective of this class is not only to
provide you with a chronology of American history, but to help increase your understanding of how
events relate to one other, why they occurred, and what their significance is in the larger story of
America.
Contact Information
Instructor: Ruben A. Acosta
Office: G116
Office Hours: 1245-130 pm Saturday, 7-8 pm Tuesday/Thursday
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://faculty.clayton.edu/racosta
Course Description
HIST 2112 - Survey of United States History since Reconstruction (3.0 credit hours)
CRN 89392
A survey of United States history from the post-Civil War period to the present. The course focuses
on the political, social, and cultural development of the modern United States with particular
emphasis on the twentieth century. [Note: Learning Support students who are required to take
ENGL 0099 and/or READ 0099 must exit the requirement(s) before they can enroll in this course.]
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None
Class Location and Meeting Time:
Main Campus- Clayton Hall T128
Saturday
1:30 pm-4:30 pm
Required Text:
Tindall, George Brown and David Emory Shi. America: A Narrative History, Brief Eighth Edition,
II. New York: W. W. Norton & Co, 2009.
Note: Make sure to get Volume 2!
Volume
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Disability Information
Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services
Coordinator, Student Center 255, (678) 466-5445, [email protected].
Program Learning Outcomes
General education outcomes:
The following link provides the Clayton State University Core Curriculum outcomes (see Area D and Area
E):
http://www.clayton.edu/Portals/5/core_curriculum_outcomes_clayton.pdf
History Program Outcomes
Program outcomes for the B.A. in history degree at Clayton State are:
Identify and describe basic chronologies of U.S. and world history.
Identify and critically evaluate primary and secondary historical sources.
Identify and evaluate conflicting historical interpretations of events and personalities.
Perform historical research using primary and secondary sources in libraries, archives, and other
repositories of historical records.
Write in a clear, analytical, and organized manner, demonstrating appropriate professional
documentation methods.
Discuss historical findings in clear and coherent oral presentations.
HIST 2112 - US History since Reconstruction
Course Learning Outcomes
Understand major historical developments and how those developments relate to other events,
both domestic and foreign.
Describe and discuss major events and issues and explain some of the major causes and
consequences of these.
Understand and appreciate the past ideas and actions of women and men from all sectors of
American society, and how religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and work have helped form
American communities and ethos.
Apply a rudimentary working knowledge of primary and secondary print and non-print
resources for United States history.
Use documents, texts, media, databases, artifacts, or electronic resources to examine and
evaluate past events, issues, groups and individuals.
Apply sufficient map skills to know where events took place and how physical geography
affected political, social, economic and cultural developments in US regions.
Write clear, grammatical, well-supported historical essays that inform, explain, analyze and
synthesize information and support a thesis.
Think critically in reading and writing.
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Grading
1st Test: 15%
2nd Test: 15%
3rd Test: 15%
Final Exam: 20%
Take Home Essay Test: 15%
Quizzes: 15%
Attendance/participation: 5%
Grading Scale:
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: Below 60%
Course Policies:
General Policy
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic
Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.
University Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific
policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through
the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect
excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain
enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences,
whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.
Course Attendance Policy
Attendance is of utmost importance for this class, as missing one class is equivalent to an entire week of
material. All absences must be accompanied with an acceptable excuse (doctors note, police report,
etc.) in order to avoid a penalty applied to the attendance/participation grade.
Missed Work
A grade of zero will be marked for missed work without a valid excuse. Since the class meets only once a
week, it is imperative to turn in all work on time. Students that miss tests or assignment deadlines with
valid, documented emergencies must arrange make up exams as soon as possible on an individual
student basis.
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Mid-term Progress Report:
Mid-term grades will be posted by October 2, 2012, consisting of the first test grade, first five quizzes,
and attendance, representing approximately 35% of the student’s total grade. Based on this grade,
students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W." Students pursuing this
option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term,
October 5, 2012.
Academic Dishonesty
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic
misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All
instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures
are described beginning on page 14 of the Student Handbook (Procedures for Adjudicating Alleged
Academic Conduct Infractions).
Disruption of the Learning Environment
Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be
tolerated. While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples
include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to
reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in
classroom activities may be dismissed from class. A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process
and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal. If found in violation, a student
may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.
A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at:
http://www.clayton.edu/Portals/5/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.pdf
Computer Requirement:
Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer
that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program.
Students will sign a statement attesting to such access. For further information on CSU's Official
Notebook Computer Policy, please go to
http://www.clayton.edu/hub/itpchoice/notebookcomputerpolicy.
Computer Skill Prerequisites:
Able to use the WindowsTM operating system
Able to use Microsoft OfficeTM programs
Able to send and receive e-mail using OutlookTM, Outlook Express TM or a web-based service
Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email
Able to use a Web browser.
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In-class use of Student Notebook Computers:
Students are allowed to bring their notebook computers to class for the purpose of taking notes
and conducting other class related work. Off-topic internet browsing, computer games, instant
messaging, and so on are not allowed during class.
GeorgiaVIEW (Online Classroom):
On-line activity will take place in GeorgiaVIEW, the virtual classroom for the course.
You can gain access to GeorgiaVIEW, by signing on to the SWAN portal and selecting :”GaVIEW” on the
top right side. If you experience any difficulties in GeorgiaVIEW, please email or call The HUB at
[email protected] or (678) 466-HELP. You will need to provide the date and time of the
problem, your GeorgiaVIEW username, the name of the course that you are attempting to access, and
your instructor's name.
Other Policies:
Quiet food and drinks in re-sealable containers are allowed in class, unless prohibited by campus
policies.
Tentative Class Outline:
(Subject to change based upon in class progress)
Class 1: August 11, 2012
Class Introduction
Reconstruction and the Election of 1877
Class 2: August 18, 2012
Industrialization and America
Reading: Chapter 19, 20
Primary Source Readings: “We Had Only Our Ignorance,” “A Century of Dishonor,” “The
Dawes Act”
Class 3: August 25, 2012
Urbanization and the Rise of Labor
Reading: Chapter 20-21
Primary Source Readings: “The True Gospel Concerning Wealth,” “How the Other
Half Lives”
Class 4: September 8, 2012
Test 1 (Proctored)
Reaction to Industrialization: Politics and Populism
Reading: Chapter 22
Primary Source Reading: “The Populist Party Platform,” “The Cross of Gold”
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Class 5: September 15, 2012
Reaction to Industrialization: Progressivism
Reading: Chapter 24
Primary Source Reading: “The Jungle,” Theodore Roosevelt on Regulation
Class 6: September 22, 2012
Imperialism and World War I
Reading: Chapter 23
“The Frontier Has Gone,” “Wilson’s Address to Congress January 8, 1918,”
Class 7: September 29, 2012
The Roaring 1920s
Reading: Chapter 25-26.
“Immigration Act of 1924,” “Revolution in Manners and Morals”
Midterm: October 5, 2012
Class 8: October 6, 2012
Test 2
Great Depression and the New Deal
Reading: Chapter 27-28.
“Rugged Individualism,” “FDR’s First Inaugural Address”
Class 9: October 13, 2012
Finish New Deal, World War II
Reading: Chapters 29-30.
“Japanese Relocation Order,” “Monica Sone on Relocation”
Class 10:
October 20, 2012
Beginning of the Cold War
Reading: Chapter 31-32
“Yalta Conference,” “George Kennan on Containment,” “Marshall Plan”
Class 11:
October 27, 2012
American Society in the 1950s
Cold War Politics under Eisenhower
Reading: Chapter 32-33
“Levittown,” “Military-Industrial Complex”
Class 12:
November 3, 2012
Test 3
The Turbulent 60s: Civil Rights and the Great Society
Reading: Chapter 33-34
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“Brown v. Board,” “Segregation Forever,” “Letter from a Birmingham City Jail”
Class 13:
November 10, 2012
Turbulent 60’s: The Cold War heats up: Kennedy to Nixon
Reading: Chapter 34-35
“Gulf of Tonkin Resolution,” “War Powers Resolution”
Class 14:
November 17, 2012
Social Protest and Conservative Resurgence
Reading: Chapters 35-36
“Port Huron Statement,” “Silent Majority,” “Government is the Problem”
Final Exam: Saturday, December 1, 2012--2:45 PM