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H106American History II
Section 2709
Tues. - Thurs. 1:30 P. M. – 2:45 P. M.
Cavanaugh Hall, Rm. 217
Fall, 2007
Instructor: M. H. Little
Office: CA 503C
Telephone: (317) 274-0098
Email:
Introduction
Welcome to H106 American History II. This course is designed as an introduction to the history of the United States since 1865. No background in U. S. history is required for enrollment. The approach is topical within a chronological framework. Emphasis is on the period from approximately 1865 to 1990. Primary attention is devoted to the interaction between domestic political, social and economic forces in the development of the modern United States. At the same time, however, U. S. foreign relations and the rise of the United States as a global power will also be considered.
CourseRequirements
Course work will consist of attending weekly lectures and discussions of the assigned readings, writing two 3-5 page analytical book review essays, and on-line quizzes as well as a comprehensive midterm and final examination. Prompt, regular attendance at all class meetings, informed participation in discussions (Make certain that you bring the appropriate course text(s) to class.) and the completion of written assignments in a timely manner are absolutelyessential for successful completion of the course. Your course grade will be based on your: (a) attendance--10%; (b) participation in discussions--10%; (c) written assignments--30%; quizzes--( 10%); and (d) examinations--40%. For a more detailed discussion of the learning objectives of this course, please consult IUPUI’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning, which is available on the History department’s web page. Please note that the instructor reserves the right to modify the content of this syllabus, at his discretion, during the semester.
Administrative Withdrawal
A basic requirement of this course is that you will participate in class and conscientiously complete writing and reading assignments. Please contact me in advance if you are unable to attend class or complete an assignment on time for any reason. If you miss more than half our class meetings within the first four weeks of the semester without contacting me, you will be administratively withdrawn from this section. Our class 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 Thus, if you miss more than four* classes in the first four weeks, you may be withdrawn.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 serious academic, financial aid and/or student scholarship 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.
AcademicMisconduct
It must be noted that any form of academic misconduct by a student in the course will not be tolerated. This includes obvious types of academic misconduct such as cheating on examinations and/or plagiarism as well as submitting the same paper for credit in different courses. Any student who is found guilty of such misconduct by the instructor will receive an F on that assignment as well as the course and have his/her infraction recorded as a permanent part of his/her academic record. For a more detailed explanation of the different types of academic misconduct, please consult "Attendance, Policies and General Course Requirements" for this course and the IUPUI Codeof StudentRights, Responsibilities and Conduct handbook.
CourseTexts
The following books are required reading for the course. They are available for purchase at the IUI bookstore. Items marked with an * are available as downloadable materials on Oncourse.
Mary Beth Norton, et al. A People & A Nation: A History of the United States. 7th Edition, Vol. II
John Hollitz (ed.)Thinking Through the Past: A Critical Thinking Approach to U. S. History. 3rd Edition Vol. II
James Marten (ed.), Childhood and Child Welfare in the Progressive Era: A Brief History with Documents
Steven F. Lawson (ed.) To Secure These Rights: The Report of President Harry S. Truman’s Committee on Civil Rights
Daily assignments are as follows.
Aug. 23 - Organizational Meeting
Discussion of course purpose, assignments and goals
Aug. 28 - Reconstruction in the United States
Lecture: Reconstruction, Race and Reform
Read: Norton, Chapter 16
Aug. 30 - Reconstruction in the United States
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 1; Eric Foner, “The Meaning of Freedom in the Age
of Emancipation.” Journal of American History. Vol. 81 (Sept. 1984), pp.
435-460.* Discussion of Hollitz and Foner
Sept. 4 - The Transformation of the American West
Video: “500 Nations” (Excerpt)
Read: Norton, Chapter 17
Sept. 6 - The Transformation of the American West
Sept. 11 - The Social and Economic Transformation of the United States
Lecture: The Rise of Modern American Business
Read: Norton, Chapter 18
Sept. 13 - The Social and Economic Transformation of the United States
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 3. Discussion of Hollitz and related material.
Sept. 18 - Population Growth and Social Change in Urban-Industrial America
Lecture: Migration, Immigration and the Urban-Industrial Metropolis
Read: Norton, Chapter 19
Sept. 20 - Population Growth and Social Change in Urban-Industrial America
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 2. Discussion of Hollitz and related material.
Sept. 25 - The “Gilded Age” and Third Party Politics
Lecture: The PopulistMovement
Read: Norton, Chapter, 20
Sept. 27 - The “Gilded Age” and Third Party Politics
Read: William Allen White, “What’s the Matter With Kansas?”*
Mary Lease, “In Defense of Home and Hearth: Mary Lease Raises Hell
Among the Farmers*
William Jennings Bryan, “Bryan’s ‘Cross of Gold’ Speech: Mesmerizing
the Masses”*
Oct. 2 - Post-Civil War Society, Politics and Reform
Lecture: Progressivism
Read: Norton, Chapter 21
Oct. 4 - Post-Civil War Society, Politics and Reform
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 5
Marten, Childhood and Child Welfare…assignment due
Oct. 9 - Review for Midterm Examination
Oct. 11 - Comprehensive In-Class Midterm Examination
Oct. 16 - The United States and First Steps Towards World Power Status
Lecture: The Spanish-American War
Read: Norton, Chapter 22
Oct. 18 - The United States and First Steps Towards World Power Status
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 4. Discussion of Hollitz and related material
Oct. 23 - The United States and the “Great War”
Lecture: The United States and World War I
Read: Norton, Chapter 23
Oct. 25 - The United States and the “Great War”
Read: James M. Mayo, “War Memorials as Political Memory.” Geo-
graphical Review. Vol. 78 (Jan. 1988), pp. 62-75.* Discussion of Mayo
and related material.
Oct. 30 - The 1920s in the United States
Lecture: The 1920s and the Birth of Modern American Culture
Read: Norton, Chapter 24
Nov. 1 - The 1920s in the United States
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 6. Discussion of Hollitz and related material.
Nov. 6 - The Great Depression and FDR’s New Deal
Lecture: The Great Depression and FDR's New Deal
Read: Norton, Chapter 25
Nov. 8 - The Great Depression and FDR’s New Deal
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 7. Discussion of Hollitz and related material.
Nov. 13 - Interwar Diplomacy and World War II
Lecture: The Causes and Consequences of World War II
Read: Norton, Chapters 26 & 27
Nov. 15 - Interwar Diplomacy and World War II
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 8. Discussion of Hollitz and related material.
Nov. 20 - Thanksgiving HolidayBreak--No Class
Nov. 22 - Thanksgiving HolidayBreak--No Class
Nov. 27 - The United Statesand the Cold War
Lecture: Domestic Cold War Hysteria and McCarthyism
Read: Norton, Chapter 28
Nov. 29 - The United States and the Cold War
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 9. Discussion of Hollitz and related material.
Dec. 4 - Years of Social Protest and Reform
Lecture: The Civil Rights Movement and Post-WWII Reform
Read: Norton, Chapter 29
Dec. 6 - Years of Social Protest and Reform
Read: Hollitz, Chapter 10. Discussion of Hollitz and related material.
Lawson, To Secure These Rights assignment due.
Dec. 10 - Classes end/Final Examination Period Begins
Final Examination--Tuesday, December 11 (3:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.) CA 217
Last revised 6/12/07