Dr. Elizabeth R. Osborn H106-Fall 2012
Mon and Weds 4:30-5:45 pm (CA 217)Section 8727
American History II: United States History from 1865
Office phone: 233-8682
Office hours: Rm 313 Cubicle A—Mondays 4:15-4:30 and 5:45-6:15; as announced on Oncourse; and by appt.
History office: CA 504M (mailbox)
E-mail:
Description:
This course introduces you to major political, economic, and social changes in the United States from Reconstruction to the present. It will help you develop analytical skills [not just what happened, but some of the reasons why] as well as learning how to articulate your ideas both verbally and in writing. We will look at major events such as Reconstruction, territorial expansion, Prohibition, World Wars I and II, the New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War. Whenever practical, Indiana’s role in the larger national picture will be highlighted.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Summarize the major events in American history from 1865 to present
- Analyze primary source documents
- Articulate and support (on exams, papers, and in class discussions) a sound positionona historical topic
- Compare historical events from the perspective of different groups and account for variation
These objectives are consistent with several of the goals enunciated in IUPUI's "Principles of Undergraduate Learning," especially those principles concerning "understanding society and culture" and "core communication and quantitative skills."
Required Textbooks:
Text: Roark, The American Promise, vol. II
Additional Readings:
Devil in the White City (Erik Larson)
Farewell to Manzanar: A True Story of Japanese-American Experience during World War II(Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston)
Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis (Robert Kennedy)
Required Assignments:
1) You will have 3 exams. These exams will cover content from the textbook, readings, lecture, and class discussion. Examswill include short essays, images from class powerpoints, and mapping. EXAMS WILL INCLUDE A MAP SECTION. Blank maps will be placed in the class Oncourse website. Each exam will be worth approximately 100 points (approximately 25% of your final grade).
2) You will have 3 short-answer reading quizzes. These short answer quizzes will cover content from Devil in the White City, Farewell to Manzanar, andThirteen Days. Each quiz will be worth approximately 25 points. Quiz dates are on the syllabus, plan accordingly. Please talk to me if you have any concerns. Reading questions will be posted on Oncourse. Questions will not be collected for points, but the quizzes will draw heavily from the reading questions.
3) Fieldtrip Assignment. For this assignment, you will visit a site either in Indianapolis or your home community that has some connection to WWI, the Depression, the New Deal, or WWII. For example, you might visit a war memorial, a park structure built by the CCC, a post office mural painted as a part of the WPA, etc. You may also interview someone who can share their first hand experiences of the era with you (they did not have to live in Indiana at the time, or now). At the conclusion of your visit or interview, you will type a 2-4 page paper describing your visit following the provided directions. This assignment will be worth 25 points (the same as a quiz).
Directions will be posted on Oncourse. Due Monday October12, 2012.
4) Video Assignments: You will watch 1 or 2 videos during class. These videos are not “supplemental” but are considered a regular classroom lecture. You are required to take notes just as if I was lecturing. Viewing questions will be provided to help you focus on the most important points and details in the video. Following the video you will have a brief (1 ½-3 page typed) essay assignment. Each assignment will be worth 10 points.
5) Passport: Early in the class I will pass out materials for each of you to create your own passport. You will need to include a picture and other information about yourself and your family in the passport. The passport assignment is worth 5 points.
6) Your participation will make up the final portion of your grade. Participation requires both your general attendance and contributions to the discussion. I will periodically assign short miscellaneous assignments in class as a part of this grade--usually worth 5-10 points each. There are no make-ups for these assignments.
Grading and Calculation of Grades:
I calculate grades on a point basis. You can always determine your current grade by dividing the points you’ve earned by the total points possible. I assign letter grades using the following scale: A+ 98-100, A 93-97, A- 90-92, B+ 88-89, B 83-87, B- 80-82, C+ 78-79, C 73-77, C- 70-72, D+ 68-69, D 63-67, D- 60-62, F 59 and below.*
Grades are calculated dividing the points earned by the points possible and applying the grading scale given above. Every effort will be made to return all graded work within two weeks. Late exams/assignments and extra credit will be graded as time permits.
*In the calculation of the final grade, improvement over the course of the semester is an important consideration and can raise the final grade above the mathematical average.
Course Policies:
Attendance:Attendance will be taken. You are expected to attend all class meeting as per university policy.
Remember, in general you may not make up a quiz, exam, or class assignment if it falls on a day you are absent unless you make special arrangements in advance. Please contact me to discuss yoursituation.
If you believe your absence is due to an extenuating circumstance warranting a special excuse, please call me at 233-8682, email me at , or talk to me in person before or after class.
Administrative Withdrawal: A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in all class meetings and conscientiously complete all required course activities and/or assignments. Keep in touch with me if you are unable to attend, participate, or complete an assignment on time. If you miss more than half of the required activities within the first 25% of the course without contacting me, you may be administratively withdrawn from this course. Example: Our course meets twice per week; thus if you miss more than four classes in the first four weeks, you may be withdrawn. Administrative withdrawal may have academic, financial, and financial aid implications. Administrative withdrawal will take place after the full refund period, and if you are administratively withdrawn from the course you will not be eligible for a tuition refund. If you have questions about the administrative withdrawal policy at any point during the semester, please contact me.
More than 6 absences may result in the assignment of an F for this class.
Reading Assignments: You are expected to complete readings before the first class meeting each week.
Due Dates: All assignments/papers are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will lose 3% points for each day they are late, including weekends and holidays. Make-ups and late papers are allowed only in exceptional circumstances with appropriate documentation. Students who for cannot meet a deadline should discuss their situation with mebefore the due date.
Oncourse/E-mail:Please familiarize yourself with the Oncourse system that is maintained by the University and accessible from the IUPUI homepage. I will post announcements, assignments, extra credit ideas, hand outs to be printed and brought to class, and other important information at this site. It is your responsibility to check Oncourse on a regular basis.
University Policies
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined by the University as: “the offering of the work of someone else as one's own. Honesty requires that any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged. The language or ideas taken from another may range from isolated formulas, sentences, or paragraphs to entire articles copied from books, periodicals, speeches, or the writings of other students. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas or materials taken from another source is guilty of plagiarism.”
Plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty, including copying or collaborating with other students on any of the written assignments, unless otherwise advised, will absolutely not be tolerated. Plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and may result in failure of the course. It will also be reported to the Dean of the School for further review.
Right to accommodation for individuals with disabilities: Indiana University is committed to creating a learning environment and academic community that promotes educational opportunities for all individuals, including those with disabilities. Course directors are asked to make reasonable accommodations, upon request by the student or the University, for such disabilities. It is the responsibility of students with documented physical or learning disabilities seeking accommodation to notify their course directors and the relevant campus office that deals with such cases in a timely manner concerning the need for such accommodation. Indiana University will make reasonable accommodations for access to programs, services, and facilities as outlined by applicable state and federal laws.
Students requesting disability-related accommodations and/or services should contact Adaptive Educational Services at 317-274-3241.
Please note:
This syllabus and other course materials can be found on the course’s Oncourse website. Additions/changes to course policies, procedures, due dates, exam dates, and assignments may be made at any time. Students are responsible for keeping their paper copies up-to-date and periodically checking Oncourse for posted changes.
Classmates Contact Information:
Please use the space below to write email and phone contact information from 2-3 classmates. Please arrange with these fellow students to get notes, hand-outs, etc. in the event you have to miss a class.
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American History II: United States History from 1865
Office phone: 233-8682
Office hours: Rm 313 Cubicle A—Mondays 4:15-4:30 and 5:45-6:15; as announced on Oncourse; and by appt.
History office: CA 504M (mailbox)
E-mail:
Course Schedule and Reading Assignments*
*Reading assignments should be completed BEFORE the first class meeting of the week
Week 1: 8/20 and 8/22Introduction and quick review of Civil War
Reconstructing the Union: 1865 - 1877
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 16
Begin readingDevil in the White City, Editor’s Note, Prologue, Part I
Week 2: 8/27 and 8/29The West: 1870 - 1900
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 17
Begin readingDevil in the White City, Part II
Week 3: 9/3 and 9/5No Class Labor Day (Monday 9/3)
The Gilded Age: 1870 - 1895
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 18
Continue reading Devil in the White City, Part III-IV and Epilogue
Week 4: 9/10 and 9/12Life in the City: 1870 - 1900
Reading Quiz 1:Devil in the White City(Weds 9/12)
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 19
Continue reading Devil in the White City
Week 5: 9/17and 9/19Dissent, Depression and War
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 20
Exam Review after class Wednesday 9/19 in food court.
Review session via Oncourse chatroom Sunday 9/23. Time announced in class.
Week 6: 9/24 and 9/26EXAM 1 (Mon 9/24)
The Progressive Era: 1890 - 1916
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 21
Week 7: 10/1 and 10/3World War I: 1914-1920
Documentary: Summer in the City: the Bryn Mawr Summer School project
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 22
Video Assignment Due Monday 10/8
Week 8: 10/8 and 10/10:The New Era to the Great Depression: 1920 - 1932
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 23
Begin reading Farewell to Manzanar
Week 9: 10/15 and 10/17:Fall Break: No Class (Mon. 10/15)
Fieldtrip (do on your own—Weds 10/17)
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 24
Continue reading Farewell to Manzanar
Fieldtrip Assignment Due:(Mon 10/22)
Week 10: 10/22 and 10/24: The New Deal
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 24
Continue reading Farewell to Manzanar
Week 11: 10/29 and 10/31:World War II
Reading Quiz:Farewell to Manzanar(Mon 10/29)
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 25
Week 12: 11/5 and 11/7:EXAM 2
Cold War America: 1945 - 1953
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 26
Start readingThirteen Days
Week 13: 11/12 and 11/14:The Suburban Era: 1945 - 1963
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 27
Continue readingThirteen Days
Week 14: 11/19 and 11/21: Civil Rights and Uncivil Liberties: 1947 - 1969
Thanksgiving Holiday(no class 11/21)
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 28
Continue reading Thirteen Days
Week 15: 11/26 and 11/28:The Vietnam Era: 1961– 1975
Reading Quiz:Thirteen Days(Weds 11/28)
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 29
Week 16: 12/3 and 12/5:Watergate and beyond (maybe!)
Final Observations
Reading: THE AMERICAN PROMISE, Chapter 30
Exam Review after class Weds 12/5 in food court.
Week 17: 12/10EXAM 34:30-5:45 (regular class meeting time and place)
Review session via Oncourse chatroom. Time announced in class.
Please do not email me through Oncourse, please use .