Sect. 10744 Off. Hrs. MWF 10:30--11:00
MW: 2:30-4:00 Agnes Arnold Hall 561
Spring, 1996 Tel. 743-3106
Fax: 743-3216
THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1877
This course surveys the social, political, economic and cultural developments that have shaped America over the past century. It recounts a wide variety of topics, many of which have directly contributed to our own time. Topics range from the rise of big business to the winning of the west, from the changing status of women and the family, to the beginning and ending of the Cold War.
Students who have not taken the first part of the two-semester United States survey sequence may still enroll for this class. However, they may find it easier to begin at the beginning, with the first half. If you have any doubts, please see the instructor.
The following books are required and may be purchased at the book store.
You will get much more out of the course if you complete the assigned readings before attending the class they go with.
Grades for this class are based on a combination of examinations and papers. The percentage breakdown is as follows:
Three one-hour, in-class exams--75% (25% each)
Two papers--25%
Each exam will cover approximately one-third of the course and will be composed of a combination of multiple choice, identification and essay questions. They will be given on the dates listed below on the syllabus. No make-up exams will be given, except under extraordinary circumstances.
The third exam will be given on the last day of class. It is not a comprehensive final and will only cover material since the second exam.
You will be required to write two short papers (2-3 pp.), one on each of the readings additional to the textbook. I will hand out questions for you to answer in these papers. Each essay must be turned in on the due date. Penalties for lateness start at 5 pts. per day.
FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION: Make and keep copies of all papers before you turn them in. If we do not find your original and you do not have a copy, we will assume that you never turned one in.
In a class this size, it is impossible to give each student the personal attention they deserve. I encourage you to come to see me during my office hours. I discourage you from dropping by unannounced at other times. If, however, you are not free during the times I have set, please see me to schedule an appointment for another time. The teaching assistants will also schedule office hours, and you should consider their doors open to you as well.
The following schedule lists the title of each lecture, the assigned readings, and the examination and paper assignments. I assure you that barring wars or natural catastrophes, we will follow this schedule without fail.
January 17: Introduction
January 22 Economic Change and its Consequences
Read: America and its People, 416-435
January 24: Immigrants in a New World
Read: America and its People, 445-66
Out of This Furnace, 1-50
January 29: Labor and the Challenge to Business Power
Read: America and Its People, 466-70
Out of This Furnace, 51-100
January 31: The New South and the New West
Read: America and Its People, 436-42
Out of This Furnace, 101-150
February 5 : The Legacy of Jim Crow
Read: Out of This Furnace, 151-208
February 7: The Populist Challenge to the Gilded Age
--Review for First Exam--
Read: America and its People, 498-521
February 12: First Exam
February 14: Life in Urban America
Read: America and its People, 471-488
February 19: Progressive Movement
Read: America and its People, 552-564
February 21: Roosevelt and Wilson: The Progressive Presidents
Read: America and its People, 564-573
February 26: Progressive Foreign Policy
Read: America and its People, 524-548
February 28: World War I and American Society
Read: America and its People, 581-607; 573-77
March 4: The 1920s
Read: America and its People, 610-629
Out of This Furnace, 209-300
March 6: The Great Depression and New Deal
--Hand Out First Paper Assignment --
Read: America and its People, 629-652
Out of This Furnace, 300-350
March 11-17 : No Class, Spring Break
March 18: The Great Depression and New Deal
Read: America and its People, 629-652
Out of This Furnace, 350-end
March 20: FDR and His Critics
Read: America and its People, 652-659
March 25: Discussion Class
--Turn in First Paper--
--Review for Second Exam--
March 27: Second Exam
April 1: From World War to Cold War
--Hand out Second Paper Assignment--
Read: America and its People, 663-717
Coming of Age, 1-100
April 3: Nuclear Jitters in Cold War America
Read: America and its People, 720-742
Coming of Age, 100-250
April 8: The Civil Right Movement
Read: America and its People, 731-736
Coming of Age, 251-end
April 10: Discussion Class
--Turn in Second Paper--
April 15: JFK and America's Entry into Vietnam
Read: America and its People, 745-768; 789-803
April 17: LBJ and the Great Society
Read: America and its People, 774-788
April 22: No Class
April 24: Film: The War at Home
April 29: America in Our Own Time
The War at Home (conclusion)
Read: America and its People, 805-819
May 1: Third Exam
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ENROLLMENT IN THIS CLASS
This syllabus lists all assignments, readings, and work required for this class. It also sets forth the schedule, method of grading and all rules and procedures. In order to remain enrolled in this class, you must sign and return this sheet of paper. By doing so, you acknowledge that you have received the syllabus for History 1378, section 10744, that you understand all assignments, and that you accept all the rules and procedures for this class. Failure to return a signed copy of this page will result in your being dropped from the class.
Signature __________________________ Date________________
Print Name and SS#_________________________________________________________