History 111 The United States Since 1877
Spring 2004
Required Books:
Alan Brinkley, American History: A Survey, vol. 2, 10th edition
Harold Livesay, Andrew Carnegie and the Rise of Big Business
David Katzman & Wm. Tuttle, Plain Folk: The Life Stories of Undistinguished
Americans
PLUS Select readings to be handed out in class (covering 1930s - 80s)
The Course:
This is the second half of the basic, introductory survey of American history.
It addresses the development of the American nation from the end of Reconstruction
to the present day. The focal point of the course is the changing nature
of the concept of freedom during this period. In this context the course
will examine the evolution of the United States from an agrarian nation with
little concern for foreign affairs to the world's preeminent economic power
with self-defined global interests. This examination will necessarily focus
on the lives of individualized citizens, the transformation of the labor
force and the workplace, and the role played by race, ethnicity, class, and
gender in determining one's place within the greater society. As such the
course will investigate the era's major reform movements as well as the reasons
for and reaction to the nation's increased involvement in international affairs.
Objectives:
1. Students are expected to demonstrate a comprehension of important historical
trends in the United States between 1877 and the present.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to see relationships between historical
figures, periods, ideas, and events.
3. Students will use correct English grammar to write on historical subjects.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze secondary literature in
U.S. history.
Class Attendance:
Regular attendance is extremely important because questions on the tests will
be based largely on class lectures and discussion of readings. If you miss
class you are only hurting yourself through your inability to thoroughly
weave together the historical material being presented. The fabric of American
society and culture are woven together through time and actions, not by a
specific time or action. In other words, if you miss class you are losing
some of the threads which bind together the fabric of American history. Since
absences are sometimes unavoidable, it might be wise to develop contacts
or friends in class from whom you may borrow materials. Remember, class attendance
will be taken regularly as required by the College and attendance does count
towards your final grade.
Course Schedule Readings should be done before each class so we can discuss them.
Week One: Course Introduction & Background
1/27-29 Course Administration and Philosophy
Recap: The Civil War and Reconstruction
Readings: Brinkley, ch. 15-16
Week Two: The Birth of Modern America
1/30-31
2/3-7 Industrial America
Industry - The South and Labor Concerns
Readings: Brinkley, chapters 17-18
Livesay, pp. 1-75
Week Three: Reform and American Society
2/10-14 Urban America
Politics and Expansion
Readings: Brinkley, chapters 19, 21
Livesay, pp. 76-189
Week Four: Progressivism Census Week 2/16-2/22
2/17-21 The 1890s
19th Century Overseas Expansion
Readings: Brinkley, Chapter 20, 22
Katzman/Tuttle, pp. ix-xx, 3-34
Week Five: Early 20th Century Progressivism
2/24-28 Agriculture, Railroads and Regulations
Social and Cultural Issues, 1860-1900
Readings: Katzman/Tuttle, pp. 37-194
Week Six:
3/3 & 3/4 Conclusion, Catch Up & Exam Review
3/5 & 7 (Wed/Friday) Midterm Exam #1 (you must take both parts, 2 days)
3/6 (Thursday) Mid-Term Exam # 1
Readings: None, BUT, everything up to this point (Brinkley ch. 15-22; Plain
Folk, all)
SPRING BREAK, March 10th - March 16th SPRING BREAK
Week Seven: The United States and The Great War
3/17-21 Woodrow Wilson and World War I
Readings: Brinkley, ch. 23
Week Eight: The 1920s
3/24-28 1920s Society and Culture MUSIC
Readings: Brinkley, ch. 24, 25
Week Nine: Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal
3/31 - 4/4 Crash and Depression
1930s - Social Impact of the New Deal FILMS / MUSIC
Readings: Brinkley, chapters 26, 27
NO CLASSES on April 1st ACTIVITIES DAY
Week Ten: The Approach of War
4/7 - 4/11 WW II - Abroad
WW II - The Home Front
Readings: Brinkley, chapter 28
Week Eleven: The Age of Doubt
4/14-17 Recap & Exam review
4/14 & 16 (Wed/Fri) Midterm Exam # 2
4/17 (Thursday) Midterm Exam # 2
NO CLASSES April 18th - Good Friday
Week Twelve: Upheavals Abroad and At Home
4/21- 25 The Cold War
The Cold War and the 1950s
Readings: Brinkley, chapters 29, 30
Week Thirteen: The 1960s
4/28 - 5/2 1960s - Court System
Women and Civil Rights
Readings: Brinkley, pp. 1015-18, ch. 31 Eyes on the Prize/Discussion
Week Fourteen: Civil Rights, Liberalism, and Challenges Abroad
5/5 - 5/9 1960s - 1980
Nixon, Ford, Carter
The Changing World: End of the Cold War
1980 - Today
Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush
Readings: Brinkley, chapters 32, 33, 34
Week Fifteen
Review all notes and materials.
May 12th & 13th / (Mon/Tues ) Final Exam review
May 14 & 16 (Mon/Wed) FINAL EXAM
May 15th (Tuesday) FINAL EXAM
Grading and Examinations:
Discussion/Quizzes/Attendance 20%
Midterm Exam I 25%
Midterm Exam II 25%
Final Examination 30%
100 %
A = 93-100 C = 71-75
A- = 89-92 C- = 69-70
B+ = 87-88 D+ = 66-68
B = 82-86 D = 60-65
B- = 79-81 F = 59 and Below
C+ = 76-78
This syllabi is subject to change and you will be notified in class of such changes.
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Quizzes will be given to ensure you comprehend lecture materials, video/films
and readings. Study guides and similar questions will be distributed prior
to the exams. ALL EXAMS will include short identification questions (you must
identify the term and its historical significance), as well as short essay
questions regarding your readings, and the long essay. Quizzes can not be made
up and make up exams will be given only under extreme circumstances AND with
prior permission from the instructor. If you are going to miss an exam you
must notify me ahead of time.
I do allow for marked improvement and adjust grades accordingly.
See me if you have any concerns, questions, or special needs. Good- Luck and Enjoy !
** NOTE **
Because of the various breaks in the semester, this syllabus will be close.
Students should expect me to get ahead of the noted schedule and, thus,
you should read ahead.