SPCSpring 2017: AMH 2020 (2077)Dr. Angela M. Zombek
History of the United States (Please email directly through MyCourses)
InternetOffice Hours:Mon. throughThurs.: 11:00am – 1:30pm
Phone: 727-791-2553
Office: ES -313C
Course Description & Goals: Welcome to our journey into the American past! This course surveys the major social, political, economic, and cultural trends that have shaped the United States since 1865.Students are encouraged to think critically and historically to analyze the causes, outcomes, and historical significance of Reconstruction; westward expansion; political corruption, industrialization, and urbanization in the Gilded Age; the Progressive Era reform; the Roaring ‘20s; the Great Depression; the World Wars; the Cold War; and the Post-9/11 world. Students will understand the rise of the United States as a world power after 1945 and the racial, ethnic, and class divisions that impacted domestic politics and citizens’ daily lives from 1865 to the present. We will focus on how American identity has changed over time.In the process, we’ll analyze how Americans have grappled with issues relating to:
-Ethnicity & race
-Political & social ideals (liberty, equality, democracy)
-Gender relations
-Intellectual & religious values
-Economic growth, development, and globalization
As the instructor, it is my goal to help you learn, think clearly about, and understand the course material. Please, if you need help ASK! I enjoy teaching and am more than happy to meet with you during office hours, over the phone, or in person by appointment if you are having trouble. Always feel free to email me with questions!I want to help ensure that you understand the material and enjoy the course.
Student Participation Expectations:
To successfully participate in this course, you are expected to do the following (Please note – these requirements are mandatory for meeting the requirements of attendance at the 60% point):
- Log in to this course at least THREE times per week.
- Check course email at least THREE times per week.
- Review the syllabus, read chapter Power Points, and view all videos posted in each chapter.Remember: I can tell - and will be checking - to see that everyone is keeping up with the material.I will use your access of these items, in addition to your log-ins, to calculate your participation gradefor each week (Monday – Sunday).
- Ask questions via MyCourses email, phone, or in person during office hours if you need clarification or assistance.Also, please notify me ASAP if you are having any difficulties completing course work!
- Submit all assignments on time (see syllabus for deadlines).Late work will result in a loss of 5 points per day late,including weekends.
- Participate in all chapter Discussion Forums by writing both an original post and a reply to a classmate.
- Use the following citation format for discussion posts. All citations should be parenthetical and come at the end of a sentence before the period: (Foner,Give Me Liberty!,52); (Foner,Voices of Freedom, 26); (Zombek, Chapter 15 Power Point); (Video Title).
- Complete all chapter quizzes.Please see course schedule below for due dates.
- Watch all assigned videos (these may be from YouTube or another website and/or from the Films Media Group [FMG] database). You should be able to access these directly from MyCourses. You may be prompted to log in using your SPC library username (your student ID number) and password (the last 4 digits of your Social Security number).
- Complete the "Student Survey of Instruction."
- Please understand that YOU are responsible for keeping up with chapter modules and completing all assignments on time.Follow due dates listed on the syllabus to ensure on-time submission of assignments. Remember, late penalties will apply.
- Familiarize yourself with SPC’sAcademic Honesty Policy.
- Familiarize yourself with SPC’sSyllabus Addendum.Please let me know as soon as possible if you require special accommodations and be prepared to provide the appropriate confidential documentation from the Disabilities Resources Office.
Class Conduct & Proper Internet Etiquette: When participating in online discussion forums, please remember that all of your classmates and I can view what you have written.Keep the following pointers in mind when participating in discussions and sending emails:
-Restrict comments to issues directly relevant to the study of American history.
-Do not interject your own political opinions into discussions.
-Respond to others and write your own posts with RESPECT.This means that absolutely NO profanity, personal insults, or other offensive language will be tolerated.
-Remember that what you write reflects on you! Please be sure to proofread all posts and emails for content, grammar, and spelling.
-Failure to follow these procedures will result in a loss of points.
Discussion Forums:These forums serve as our virtual classroom.Each chapter will contain one discussion forum prompt.It is your job to write a SUBSTANTIVE original post to the question posed in EACH CHAPTER.When writing an original post, please carefully consider and address all parts of the question posed and analyze supporting evidence to demonstrate how it answers the question.Your original post should include critical analysis of information from theFoner,Give Me Liberty!textbook, AND theFoner,Voices of Freedomdocument reader.Citation of Power Point presentations and videos is optional.All original posts should be at least 250 words (one typewritten page).
In addition, you must write ONE SUBSTANTIVE REPLY to another classmate’s post. This means that you MAY NOT simply write “I agree” or “I disagree” as an original post or as a response.Your replies must explain WHY you came to the conclusions that you did in both your original post and in your replies and cite course materials for supporting evidence. Content that you write in your reply post should differ from your original post. You MUST cite one of the following: Foner’s Give Me Liberty!, Voices of Freedom, chapter Power Point, or videos for supporting evidence in your reply post. All responses should be at least 150 words. Remember, the more you participate in online discussions, the more you will enjoy the course!
Helpful tips: One of the skills that you’ll learn through taking a history class is how to craft a logical, substantiated argument. Your discussion forum posts and replies should be argument-driven and clearly answer the question posed, beginning with a strong thesis. To craft historical arguments, historians analyze information from primary documents (produced by individuals who lived through a time period under study) and scholarly secondary sources (written by historians or other scholars). In this course, you’ll be using evidence presented in the course books, videos, and Power Points to craft arguments that answer the discussion forum prompts. Remember – these are NOT opinion-based assignments! You must use the assigned materials to write a logical, substantiated historical argument!
Please note that when quoting from any source, you must introduce your quote. In other words, a quotation may not stand alone as a sentence in your writing. Introduce the quote by analyzing how the information it contains answers the question and supports your argument. For example, an analysis of the Gettysburg Address may appear like this: In his Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln contended that the soldiers who fought in that battle consecrated the hallowed ground “far above our poor power to add or detract” (Lincoln, “Gettysburg Address”). FAILURE TO INTRODUCE QUOTES WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF POINTS.
N.B. – DO NOT CITE ANY OUTSIDE MATERIALS (BOOKS, WEBSITES, ETC.) IN YOUR DISCUSSION POSTS & REPLIES. Citation of outside materials will result in a loss of points. All citations should be parenthetical and come at the end of a sentence before the period: (Foner,Give Me Liberty!,52); (Foner,Voices of Freedom, 26); (Zombek, Chapter 15 Power Point).
Instructor Expectations:
As your instructor, I will:
- Log into this course throughout the semester, from the first day of the term through the last day of the term.
- Respond to all MyCourses email and voice mail messages within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
- Notify you in advance if I will be out of contact for more than two days.
- Have assignments and exams graded within 10 days of the due date.Late work will be graded when my schedule permits, which may not be until the end of the semester.
- Provide you with weekly updates via MyCoursesemail.
Required Readings: (both available at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Clearwater Campus)
EricFoner,Give Me Liberty!Vol. 2, 4th Edition (W.W. Norton)
EricFoner, ed.,Voices of Freedom, Vol. 2, 4th Edition (W.W. Norton)
Assignments:There will be one primary document analysis worksheet (directions to follow), one primary document analysis paper (directions to follow), 14short chapter quizzes, 14 discussion forums, and one final exam (take home essay format). Late work will result in a 5 point deduction for every day that the work is late, including weekends.
Turn It In Statement: The instructor of this course provides access to Turnitin.com as a tool to promote learning. The tool flags similarity and mechanical issues in written work that merit review. Use of the service enables students and faculty to identify areas that can be strengthened through improved paraphrasing, integration of sources, or proper citation. Submitted papers remain as source documents in the Turnitin database solely for the purpose of detecting originality. Students retain full copyright to their works. The Turnitin Usage Agreement can be reviewed at Students who do not wish to submit work through Turnitin must notify their instructor via course email within the first seven days of the course. In lieu of Turnitin use, faculty may require a student to submit copies of sources, preliminary drafts, a research journal, or an annotated bibliography.
Grading:Please note that all assignments must be completed!The breakdown of points is as follows:
-Final Exam: (125 total points)
-Discussion forum (post & reply): 1 per chapter – 14 total discussions
o40 points each – (560 total points)
-Chapter Quizzes: 14 total
o15 points each – (210 total points)
-Participation: (calculated from required log-ins, viewing all videos & viewing power points posted online)
o10 points per week – (160 total points)
-Primary Document Analysis Worksheet: 50 points
-Primary Document Analysis Paper:100 points
TOTAL POSSIBLE POINTS: 1,205
Grading Scale:The following grading scale will be used for all assignments and students’ final averages.
N.B. – final averages will NOT be rounded up!
A: 100-90
B: 89-80
C: 79-70
D: 69-60
F: 59 & below
Academic Honesty: Please note that plagiarism is a serious offense that could result in severe consequences such as failure of assignments or removal from the course with a failing grade.You are not permitted to represent the work of any other entity - from published sources to your peers - as your own.You should demonstrate original thought and cite sources appropriately at all times.St. Petersburg College does not tolerate plagiarism in any form. Please make yourself fully aware of St. Petersburg College’s policies regarding academic honesty.They are posted above.
Academic Department: Social & Behavioral Sciences, Clearwater Campus
Dean: Dr. Joseph Smiley ()
Academic Chair: Ms. Anja Norman, M.A. ()
Student Survey of Instruction: The survey is administered in each course each semester and designed to improve the quality of instruction at St. Petersburg College.All responses are anonymous and confidential.Please take the time to complete the survey and provide constructive criticism. I value and appreciate your input!
Class Schedule: (please note that this outline is tentative. I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus as needed).Make sure to follow this reading schedule and cite assigned readings in your discussion posts and replies!!
WEEK ONE
Jan.9-15: (N.B. Give Me Liberty, abbreviated GML; Voices of Freedom, abbreviated VF)
What do you mean by Freedom…?:The Ordeal of Reconstruction –
GMLCh. 15; VF Documents:Documents: 95 (Freedmen to Johnson), 96 (Mississippi Black Code), 97 (Sharecropping Contract)
**Fri. Jan. 13: Last day to drop, receive refund and/or change to audit**
**Sunday Jan.15: Introduction Forum and Ch. 15 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK TWO
Jan. 16-22: Go West, Young Man!: Politics in the Gilded Age
GML, Ch. 16; VF Documents: 101 (Carnegie), 102 (Social Darwinism), 106 (Social Gospel)
**Sunday Jan. 22: Ch. 16 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK THREE
Look for instructions on the Primary Document Analysis Worksheet in your email this week!
Jan. 23-29: What does it mean to be an American?:The US & Expansionism
GMLCh. 17;VF Documents: Documents: 107 (Populist Platform), 109 (Wells), 113 (Kipling)
**Sunday Jan. 29: Ch. 17 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK FOUR
Jan. 30-Feb. 5: Reform Now!...But where, why, & how?
GMLCh. 18; VF Documents: 115 (Gilman), 116 (Ryan), 118 (Sanger)
**Sunday Feb.5: Ch. 18 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
**Primary Document Analysis WorksheetDueSunday Feb.5 by 11:55pm **
WEEK FIVE
Feb. 6-12:What’sso “Great” about this War?
GMLCh. 19; VF 122 (Wilson), 123 (Critique of Versailles)
**Sunday Feb. 12: Ch. 19 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK SIX
Feb. 13-19:Boom & Bust: The “Roaring ‘20s” to the Great Depression
GMLCh. 20; VF Documents 131 (Fight for Civil Liberties), 133 (Congress debates Immigration)
**Sunday Feb.19: Ch. 20 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
Look for an email with instructions on Primary Document Analysis Paper this week
WEEK SEVEN
Feb. 20-26: **Sunday Feb. 26: Primary Document Analysis Paper due by 11:55pm**
WEEK EIGHT
Feb. 27-March 5: “The Only thing we have to Fear is Fear Itself”: FDR & the New Deal
GML Ch. 21; VF Documents: Documents: 137 (Letter to Perkins), 140 (Roosevelt)
**Sunday March.5: Ch. 21 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
***SPRING BREAK – MARCH 6-10 – COLLEGE CLOSED***
WEEK NINE
March 13-19:No Turning Back: The U.S. in WWII
GML Ch.22; VF Documents 147 (Luce), 151 (African-Americans & 4 Freedoms)
**Sunday March 19: Ch. 22 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK TEN
March 20-26: Who is to blame for the Cold War?
GMLCh. 23; VF Documents: 153 (Vietnam), 154 (Truman Doctrine), 155 (NSC 68)
Thurs. March 22 – Last day to withdraw with a grade of “W”
**Sunday March 26: Ch. 23 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK ELEVEN
March 27-April 2: The Rise of Mass Society
GMLCh. 24; VF Documents:162 (Nixon), 164 (Southern Manifesto)
**Sunday April 2: Ch. 24 discussion post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK TWELVE
April 3-9:Civil Rights & Mass Protest
GMLCh. 25; VF Documents: 169 (Martin Luther King, Jr.), 173 (Port Huron), 174 (Potter)
**Sunday April9: Ch. 25 discussionpost/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK THIRTEEN
April 10-16: The Conservative Comeback
GMLCh. 26; VF Documents: 181 (Falwell), 182 (Schlafly), 184 (Reagan)
**Sunday April 16: Ch. 26 discussionpost/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK FOURTEEN
April 17-23: The Post-Cold War World
GMLCh. 27; VF Documents: 186 (Clinton), 187 (Global Democracy), 188 (Declaration on Women)
**Sunday April 23: Ch. 27 discussion forum post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
WEEK FIFTEEN
April 24-30: 9/11 & the Next American Century
GML Ch. 28; VF Documents (at least two) of your choice to cite in Discussion Forum
**Sunday April 30, Ch. 28 Discussion Forum post/reply & quiz due by 11:55pm**
Look for instructions regarding your final exam in your email this week
WEEK SIXTEEN
**Final Exam due: WED. MAY 3 by NOON**