Hist 212-- Sections 002

Course Guide

Semester:	Spring 2013
Instructor:	Dr. J. Kelly Robison
Phone:	566 3240
E-mail:	robisonk@sanjuancollege.edu
Office:	1847 West Classroom Building
Office Hours:	1:00 – 2:15, M-F; 2:30 – 3:45, TR; 10:00 – 2:15, F (or meetings on Friday)

http://faculty.sanjuancollege.edu/krobison

Meeting Location and Times

11:30 – 12:45, Tuesday and Thursday, West Classroom Complex 1801

Course Description

This course is an introductory survey of the history of the United States from the end of the Civil War through the present. Students should come to an understanding of the chronology of events during the period, but should also become aware of the causes of and reactions to the major events. We will focus on the central themes and issues while examining the political, economic, and social changes that occurred during this period. These themes include industrialization, immigration and the diversification of the U.S. population, the entrance of the U.S. onto the political world stage and the social changes that occurred from 1865 to the present. Students should come to an understanding of the chronology of events during the period, but should also become aware of the causes of and reactions to the major events. To put it another way, you should understand the what, but also the why.

This course presents an opportunity to think critically about the issues that shaped the past and how that past affects the present. Additionally, students can explore history and begin to understand the ways in which historians address the past. Finally, the course will encourage students to develop better reading, writing, studying, and analytical skills.

Although primarily a lecture course, students should prepare for class by reading assignments and are strongly encouraged to ask relevant questions and seek clarification of any ambiguities that may arise.

Prerequisites

English 111

Required Text

· Divine, Robert, et al. The American Story, Vol. 2 Since 1865, 4th Edition. New York : Pearson‑Longman, 2011.

· Primary Documents. See schedule for readings. Documents are located at http://faculty.sanjuancollege.edu/krobison.

Required Technology and Software

· Internet Browser

· Word Processing Program

Course Requirements

Students will do the following activities:

Exams – 100 points each

There will be two exams, a mid‑term and a final. The exams will consist of one essay question, though you will have a choice of several questions. Both exams are worth 100 points. Study guides will be provided at least a week prior to the exam date. Please buy bluebooks at the bookstore for the exams.

When you write an essay exam, assume that the person who is reading the essay knows nothing about the topic you are discussing. Simply mentioning is not explaining ‑‑ be thorough. Use a formal essay construction when you write. This means having an introductory paragraph that has a thesis statement and sets up the rest of the essay. The body of your essay should offer factual evidence that proves your thesis. A concluding paragraph sums up what you have written.

Research Paper – 100 points + 25 points + 25 points

You may pick any topic that interests you, provided that it deals in some way with U.S. history until 1865. The paper exercise will consist of three stages. Each stage is due in class on the date given in the schedule. This exercise is worth a total of 150 points.

Topic statement and bibliography‑ 25 points

Final draft ‑ 100 points

Topic Statement/Preliminary Bibliography. Submit a one-page paper (typed) with your topic. More importantly, ask a historical question that you will answer in your paper. Also submit full citations for at least eight sources.

Research Paper format:

· Write five double‑spaced, typed pages of text (not including note page and bibliography)

· Use standard 12 point font.

· In the introduction state a thesis.

o In the body of the paper present evidence that supports this thesis.

· Use Chicago‑style notations (footnotes).

· The bibliography may not include encyclopedia, textbooks, or other general references.

o Not more than a third of all references may be from internet sources. If Internet sources are used, then each internet source must be accompanied by a brief statement (three or four sentences) evaluating the reliability of the source.

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is presenting 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 offering of material assembled or collected by others in the form of projects or collections without acknowledgment is also considered plagiarism. Any student who fails to give credit for any ideas or materials taken from another source is guilty of plagiarism NOTE: A paper that has been plagiarized will receive '0' points.

San Juan College has strict guidelines for Plagiarism and other forms of Academic Dishonesty. You may find those guidelines here: http://www.sanjuancollege.edu/documents/Academic%20Honesty%20Rules%20Final.pdf

Late Assignments

Please note that no late papers will be accepted and exams must be taken on the exam date unless prior arrangements have been made. The scheduling of make‑up exams is completely at the discretion of the instructor. Note: A grade of Incomplete will be given only if the student has completed at least three‑quarters of the assignments and cannot complete the class‑work due to unavoidable circumstance.

Additional Requirements for Honors Students (Section 0H1)

Select two primary documents. The document analyses should be no more than one page in length. There is no need to attach a cover sheet, simply put your name at the top of the paper. The title of the document being analyzed should be at the top of the paper as well. Use standard fonts of standard size. Each analysis is worth 25 points.

First, briefly describe the content of the document, noting the time in which it was written, its general theme or themes, the author (where appropriate) and other factual material that seems appropriate to mention. This is the easy part. All you are doing in this section is summarizing what the author has to say.

Second, and this is the more difficult section, compare or analyze this document to the appropriate section of the text, noting how the document illustrates, amplifies, or explains textual themes or narrative. Don't bother trying to find the particular document in the text. Oftentimes the documents are not mentioned by name. You do have to read the text book though. What you are trying to do is set the document within the context of the times. Why is this document important? How does it help to explain a certain time period?

Participation and Attendance Policy

Poor grades are a reflection of poor class attendance. Regular class attendance is expected and roll will be taken every day. Students are allowed five absences after which the final grade will be affected. If a student has five absences, then that student's final grade will be no higher than a C. If a student misses seven class periods, the final grade will automatically be an F. There will be no distinction made between excused or unexcused absences.

Other Classroom Policies and Expectations

In order to minimize disruptions to your fellow students, please be in the classroom when the class starts and stay through the entire period. Talking in class is also a disruption unless it is for the good of the entire class. If you must use the bathroom or make a phone call, either get those things done before class or after class, not in the middle of class. Also, please turn cell phones off when you enter the classroom.

Grading

A student's grade for the course will be based on the total number of points of the possible 350. There is no curve.

A= 315 - 350 Superior work which is not only accurate and complete, but also insightful and comprehensive; it demonstrates the ability to make critical judgments on one's own part and skill in justifying such positions.

B= 280 ‑ 314 Above average work which is accurate and complete, but also shows the ability to correlate facts and judgments involved in different "compartments" of a topic as well as indicating some development of a critical perspective.

C= 245 ‑ 279 Average work which is accurate, but somewhat incomplete, lacking the fuller developments of above average work.

D= 210 ‑ 244 Below average work which is inaccurate and incomplete, but indicates some effort to deal with the issues at hand.

F=under 209 Inadequate work which is inaccurate and incomplete and fails to fulfill the assignment.

Key Dates to Remember

Semester Calendar

10 Jan	Introduction
15 Jan	“Nothing But Freedom”: Reconstruction and the New South; Divine, Ch16
17 Jan	Settling the West; Divine, Ch17
22 Jan	“Kill the Indian, Save the Man:” Native Peoples in the Late Nineteenth Century; Divine, Ch17
24 Jan	Workshop ‑ Writing the Research Paper
29 Jan	Industrialization; Divine, Ch 18
31 Jan	Industrialization ; Divine, Ch 18 Topic Statement and Bibliography Due
5 Feb	Management and Workers in an Industrial Society; Divine, Ch 22
7 Feb	Politics in the Gilded Age; Divine, Ch 20
12 Feb	Urbanization and Immigration; Divine, Ch 19
14 Feb	Progressivism; Divine, Ch 23
19 Feb	Imperialism; Divine, Ch 21
21 Feb	World War I; Divine, Ch 24
26 Feb	The Roaring Twenties; Divine, Ch25
28 Feb	The Great Depression; Divine, Ch 25, 26
5 Mar	The New Deal; Divine, Ch 26
7 Mar	Mid-Term Exam
12, 14 Mar	Spring Break – No Classes
19 Mar	World War II; Divine, Ch 27
21 Mar	World War II – the Home Front; Divine, Ch 27
26 Mar	The Cold War; Divine, Ch 28
28 Mar	TBA Research Paper Due
2 Apr	The Cold War Heats Up; Divine, Ch 28
4 Apr	The Fifties; Divine, Ch 29
9 Apr	The Civil Rights Movement; Divine, Ch 29
11 Apr	The Other Civil Rights Movements; Divine, Ch 29
16 Apr	Thanksgiving Break – No Classes
18 Apr	New Frontiers Abroad; Divine, Ch 30
23 Apr	The Sixties and Seventies; Ch. 30 -31
25 Apr	Domestic Policy and Politics from Ford to Clinton; Divine, Ch 31
30 Apr	The End of the Cold War; Divine, Ch 31-32
2 May	Final Exam

College Policies

The following information also applies to your work in this class.

1. Academic Accommodations—American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

If you believe you need academic accommodations due to physical or learning disabilities, you are encouraged to inform me as soon as possible. If you have special needs for campus emergency situations, please inform me immediately. You can also contact the college’s disability advisor in the Advising/Counseling Center at 566-3271. The counselor can work with you in verifying your disabilities and developing accommodation strategies.

2. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Your personal information and grade are confidential. Aside from routine reporting to the college required for this course, I will not share such information with anyone unless I have your permission.

3. Academic Honesty Rules

San Juan College expects all students to adhere to the Academic Honesty Rules as posted online: <http://www.sanjuancollege.edu/AcademicHonesty>. These are the official guidelines for all classes at San Juan College (July 2006).

4. Student Conduct Statement

College is preparation for professional opportunities, and professional conduct is expected in courses, including online classes, as well as any written communications, and interactions with members of the college community.  As part of our learning community, students are expected to interact and communicate in a mature, respectful, thoughtful, and supportive manner.  Students who demonstrate disrespectful, hostile, belittling, bullying or other disruptive behavior will be subject to potential consequences and possible dismissal from the college. The college will take appropriate action when students demonstrate threatening behavior (to others or self). Students should refer to the Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook for additional information.