History 2620- American History from 1865

9:00-9:50 a.m. Wooten Hall 122

Instructor: Dr. Courtney Welch Email:

Office Hours:MWF 11:00-11:50 a.m.; 1:00-1:50 p.m.

Office Location:Wooten Hall 256

Phone:940-565-3393

Course Description:

This course seeks to familiarize students with the major topics in American history since 1865. We will focus on diverse subjects including politics, race, gender, economics, and cultures, all the while attempting to understand how these historical events affected the lives of everyday citizens. For the most part, the course format will be lecture, although I believe in open discussion and a difference of opinion. Try to think of history as not solely an impressive recitation of names and dates, but rather a long interwoven tale of complex social, cultural, and political forces.

Required Texts:

Text: Brands, H. W. American Stories v. 2. Pearson Publishing, 2015.

Reader: Lowe, Richard. American History Reader. Hayden-McNeil, 2015.

You are expected to read the chapters in the readeras outlined in the enclosed course schedule.. Reading the chapters in the textbook as assigned will assist you in comprehending the lectures, and will enhance your performance on the tests. Articles in the reader will provide the content for three reading quizzes.

Course Goal:

  1. Course Goal: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the facts and chronology of the United States history from 1865 to the present.

1.1 Students will identify and understand the major eras in the United States from 1865 to the present and describe their defining characteristics. By the end of the semester students taking History 2620 will:

1.1.1. Identify the social, cultural, economic, and political changes and their consequences in the United States during the Reconstruction era.

1.1.2. Identify the social, cultural, economic, and political changes and their consequences in the United States during the New South era.

1.1.3. Identify the social, cultural, economic, and political changes and their consequences in the United States during the Gilded Age.

1.1.4Identify the social, cultural, economic, and political changes and their consequences in the United States during the Progressive Era.

1.1.5Understand the effects of reform and third-party movements and changes in the United States political system.

1.1.6Explain causes and consequences of late 19th century and early 20th century economic modernization and expansion.

1.1.7 Understand the contribution of labor and immigrant groups to economic modernization during the late 19th and early 20th century.

1.1.8Explain the causes and consequences of U.S. imperialism and the nation’s rise to world power status.

2.1.Students will know the significant events, individuals, and the social, political, and economic changes that occurred in the United States from 1877 to the present. By the end of the semester students taking History 2620 will:

2.1.1.Understand the United States entry into World War I.

2.1.2.Identify the social, cultural, economic, and political changes of the 1920s.

2.1.3.Explain the causes and consequences of the Great Depression and New Deal.

2.1.4Understand the domestic and international impact of U.S. participation in World War II.

2.1.5.Identify the significant events that occurred due to the United States’ entry into the Korean War and Vietnam War.

2.1.6.Understand the impact of significant national and international decisions and conflicts in the Cold War that affected the United States.

2.1.7Trace the historical development of the Civil Rights Movements from 1877 to the present and understand the impact of the American Civil Rights Movement.

2.1.8Identify the social, cultural, economic, and political changes and their consequences in the United States during the late 20th century.

3.1. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and communication skills by analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating historical information from multiple sources. By the end of the semester students taking History 2620 will:

3.1.1. Students will apply historical methods to evaluate critically the record of the past and how historians have interpreted it.

3.1.2. Students will organize and express their thoughts clearly both in written andoral

communication.

Attendance:

As this is a lecture format course, class attendance is essential. Attendance will be taken each class session by sign-in sheet. “Make-up” tests will be given only at the discretion of the instructor. If you know in advance that you will miss a test or quiz, it would be best to notify the instructor before missing that class. Last day to withdraw is November 20, 2015.

UNT Policy on Academic Integrity –

Disability Statement:

The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at . You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.

Tests:

There will be three exams including the final. Each exam will be worth 100 points and will consist of a combination of multiple choice and essay questions. The tests are primarily based on the lectures and textbook. Prior to each test, a review will be conducted and a study sheet with possible essay questions will be provided. The dates for each test are listed in the course schedule chart below. Make-up exams will consist of all essay questions. In order to arrange a make-up exam you must contact me within three days after the original date of the exam. There will be no make-up exam for the final.

Reading Quizzes:

The reading quizzes will each be comprised of 30 multiple choice questions focusing on the author’s thesis and the evidence presented in a selection of articles fromAmerican History Reader by Richard Lowe. The dates for each quiz are listed in the course schedule chart below. These will completed online. You will find these quizzes in the Assessment section on Blackboard.

History Help Center:

Location: Wooten Hall , room 220

Times: Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Fridays 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Graduate Students staff the center during the hours above in order to proctor exams and answer student’s questions about various historical topics. For editing and writing help, please seek out the Writing Center on campus.

Miscellaneous Instructions:

No earbuds, headphones, Ipads, phones (of any kind) will be visible during the duration of any exam or quiz.

No earbuds or headphones can be used during the lecture, unless a part of ODA modifications.

Students are required to turn their ballcap brims to the back of their heads during exams and quizzes.

Course Content Material:

You will attend lectures during the week and in addition read course content online that corresponds with each week’s subject matter. In the weekly online content you will find interactive material, articles, flash games, movie clips to view, and websites to visit.

Grading:

The following is the point structure for the final grades:

Test 1 – 100 points

Test 2 – 100 points

Final – 100 points

Reader Quizzes (3) – 180 points

Total Possible Points – 480points

Extra Credit Book Review:

Each student may complete ONE book reviewof an approved book pertaining to any historical material covered in this course. The extra credit book review is worth a possible 10 points. You CAN NOT email or fax the review. Please turn in a hardcopy paper copy to my office or in class by November 23, 2015.

Date / Lecture Topics / Readings/Assignments
Textbook Chapters
August 24, 2015 / Introduction
August 26-28, 2015 / Reconstruction and the South Transformed / Chapter 16
August 31- September 2, 2015 / Native Americans in a new Industrial Society / Chapter 17
September 4, 2015 / Why is the Gilded Age Gilded? / Chapter 18 and 19
Course Content
Industrialization and Immigration page
Organized Labor page – Homestead Strike video
September 7, 2015 / Labor Day – No Class
September 9-11, 2015 / Social Darwinism and Industrial Warfare / Chapter 18 and 19
September 14, 2015 / The Search for Empire / Chapter 20 and 21
September 16, 2015 / Yellow Journalism and the Spanish American War / Chapter 20 and 21
September 18, 2015 / Progressive Movement / Chapter 22
September 21, 2015 / Reform and the 1912 Election / Chapter 23
September 17-18, 2015 / Online Quiz 1 –
Chapter 1-6
History Reader
September 23, 2015 / Review
September 25, 2015 / Test 1 – Chapters / Chapters 16-23
September 28-30, 2015 / WWI and the Lost Generation / Chapter 24
Course Content
Read WWI EDUzine
The US Enters the War page
October 2-5, 2015 / The Roaring 1920s / Chapter 25
Course Content
Prohibition and Crime page
Boom to Bust (2 videos)
October 7, 2015 / The Great Depression / Chapter 26
October 9-12, 2015 / The New Deal Era / Chapter 26
Course Content
Read New Deal EDUzine
October 12-13, 2015 / Online Quiz 2 – Chapters 7-12 in History Reader
October 14-19, 2015 / World War II / Chapter 27
Course Content
Read WWII EDUzine
October 21, 2015 / Review
October 23, 2015 / Test 2 – Chapters / Chapters 23-27
October 26, 2015 / A Nuclear World / Chapters 28 and 29
October 28, 2015 / Korean War / Chapters 28 and 29
October 30- November 2, 2015 / The Myth of the 1950s / Chapters 28 and 29
November 4, 2015 / McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare / Chapters 28 and 29
November 6- 11, 2015 / The Struggle for Civil Rights / Chapter 29 and 30
Course Content
LBJ and the Great Society – Freedom Summer video
November 13, 2015 / The Kennedy Years / Chapter 30
November 16, 2015 / The Great Society / Chapter 30
November 18-20, 2015 / The Road to Vietnam / Chapters 29, 30 and 31
Course Content
Read Vietnam EDUzine
November 23, 2015 / Nixon and Watergate and the “Me” Decade of the 1980s / Chapter 31 and 32
November 19-20, 2015 / Online Quiz 3 – Chapters 13-20 in
History Reader
November 25, 2015 / NO CLASS
November 26-29, 2015 / Thanksgiving Holiday – Campus Closed
November 30, 2015 / Review
December 2, 2015 / Conference Day
December 4, 2015 / Reading Day – no class
December 9, 2015 / Final Exam –
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. / Chapters 28-32