HIS 109 (History of the United States since 1865)

Syllabus and Course Objectives

Spring 2005 (Sections 010, 013, 208)

 

Instructor: Robert R. Hinkle               Area Coordinator: Rick Smoot, Ph.D.

Office: Oswald Building 247             Division Chair: David Wachtel, Ph.D.

Phone: 257-4872 Ext. 4070                Dean of Academic Affairs: Sandy Carey, Ph.D.

Email: rrhink0@uky.edu                     Division Phone: 257-4872 Ext. 4005

Office Hours: MW: 11-1; TR: 12:30-1:30, by appointment

 

OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION

A continuation of HIS 108, from 1865 to the present.         

 

INSTRUCTOR’S COURSE DESCRIPTION

This section of United States History examines the competing visions of the nation from 1865 to the present.  As we journey into the past, take note that our journey is forward moving.  My philosophy on history is best expressed by the nation’s fortieth president, Ronald Reagan: “In America, our origins matter less than our destinations, and that is what democracy is all about.”  While we reflect on the destinations of those who came before us, I challenge each of you to reflect on your destination in this class.  I encourage each of you to see yourself as part of the continuum of history, and to realize that you must be active, responsible participants to succeed in this class, as in life.

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Goldfield, David, et al. The American Journey: A History of          

 the United States. Vol. 2. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River:

Prentice Hall, 2004.

 

CLASS FORMAT

This class will be a combination of lecture and discussion.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

Textbook: The textbook is a required resource.  Students are strongly encouraged to read the text to prepare for class discussions, assignments, and exams.

 

Examinations: There will be a mid-term and final examination.  The exams will be essay format.  Each exam is worth 100 points.  Material from the lectures, text, quizzes, documents, handouts, class discussions, and videos may be included on exams.

 

Quizzes: There will be 8 quizzes throughout the semester.  Quizzes will cover lecture notes and readings for a two-chapter sequence.  Each quiz will consist of twenty multiple-choice questions with the exception of Quiz 8 which will include only ten.  Quizzes will occur upon the conclusion of a two-chapter sequence.  Each quiz is worth 40 points with the exception of Quiz 8 which will be worth 20 points, for a total of 300 points combined. 

 

 

Class Attendance:
Students will be responsible for all material covered in class; therefore, class attendance is expected.   

 

GRADING CRITERIA

Quiz 1                                                             40 points                                

Quiz 2                                                             40 points

Quiz 3                                                             40 points

Quiz 4                                                             40 points

Quiz 5                                                             40 points

Quiz 6                                                                         40 points

Quiz 7                                                             40 points

Quiz 8                                                                         20 points

Mid-term Exam                                               100 points

Final Exam                                                      100 points

Total                                                                500 points

 

448-500 A—course requirements fulfilled; material handled cogently and reflectively, characterized by creative insight
398-447 B—course requirements fulfilled; material handled cogently and reflectively
348-397 C—course requirements fulfilled; adequate understanding of material demonstrated
298-347 D—work submitted but not seriously attempted or prepared
000-297 E—irresponsible behavior, work not submitted

 

MAKE-UP WORK/LATE WORK

Make-up and/or late work will only be accepted for excused absences as defined by the College, see http://www.kctcs.edu/student/code.htm.  Absences must be properly documented and said documentation provided to the instructor upon the day the student returns to class.  Students eligible to make-up missed work must be prepared to complete any missed quizzes or exams the day he/she returns to class.  DO NOT MISS A QUIZ OR AN EXAM!  DO NOT ASK IF YOU MISSED ANYTHING IMPORTANT!   

 

WITHDRAWL POLICY

Students will be allowed to withdraw from this course through the last class meeting for this course.

 

PROGRAM-APPROVED OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, a student should be able to read and evaluate historical resources critically and demonstrate an understanding of the cultural, economic, literary, political, religious, and social values related to the period covered by this course. 

 

INSTRUCTOR’S GOALS

Upon completion of this course students should possess a factual knowledge of United States History since 1865; should be able to define the relationship of self to historical and cultural context; and should be able to apply what they are learning to assignments and the world in general. 

 

GENERAL EDUCATION, DEPARTMENTAL, AND INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR HISTORY

 

  1. Communicate effectively by writing clearly. Students should be able to express themselves in clear, organized Standard English. Students will do a writing assignment (e.g., a term paper, or essay test, or review, etc.).

 

  1. Reading with comprehension. Improve students’ ability to comprehend history texts. Analyze and interpret reading materials.

 

  1. Listen with comprehension. Students will listen with comprehension. Students will listen to lectures, group discussions, films, etc.

 

  1. Think critically. Analyze/interpret creative material, expressions, resources, and/or data. Students should be able to analyze/interpret various data, including reading and lecture materials. This ability will be demonstrated in written and oral assignments.

 

  1. Learn independently and apply learning. Students should be able to apply what they are learning to course assignments and to the world in general. Students will complete assignments by applying what they have learned to the assigned task(s). Students will learn to apply situations and outcomes to the present from studying the past.

 

  1. Examine Relationships in diverse and complex environments. Define the relationship of self to historical and cultural contexts. Students should be able to define the relationship of self to historical and cultural contexts. Students will learn to compare and contrast situations from the past and determine whether or not such examples influence them and their various relationships in both a historical and a cultural context. Students will learn to do this through assigned readings, lectures, discussions, etc., and will be given an examination to test their understanding.

 

 

 

(Please Note)
This syllabus is tentative and subject to change.  If it becomes necessary to alter the syllabus in anyway, the instructor will make the appropriate announcements to inform students of any changes.

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

Introductions, Syllabus

 

Chapter 16: Reconstruction 1865-1877

Chapter 17: A New South: Economic Progress and Social Tradition 1877-1900

Quiz 1

 

Chapter 18: Industry, Immigrants, and Cities 1870-1900

Chapter 19: Transforming the West 1865-1890

Quiz 2

 

Chapter 20: Politics and Government 1877-1900

Chapter 21: The Progressive Era 1900-1917

Quiz 3

 

Chapter 22: Creating an Empire 1865-1917

Chapter 23: America and the Great War 1914-1920

Quiz 4

 

Chapter 24: Toward a Modern America, The 1920s

Chapter 25: The Great Depression and the New Deal 1929-1939

Quiz 5

 

Mid-term

 

Chapter 26: World War II 1939-1945

Chapter 27: The Cold War at Home and Abroad 1946-1952

Quiz 6

 

Chapter 28: The Confident Years 1953-1964 

Chapter 29: Shaken to the Roots 1965-1980

Quiz 7

 

The Reagan Revolution (The instructor will provide an unbiased account of the Reagan years)

Quiz 8

 

Final