The United States Since 1876 HIST 2773
Course Philosophy and Instructors Requirements
Philosophy: This American History course is a survey of the economic, political, social, and cultural
developments in the United States from the end of the “Reconstruction Era” (1876) up to the early years
of the twenty-first century.
Learning Outcomes: Assessment should measure communication, critical thinking, and appropriate
social science research skills, as well as student awareness of self and society and knowledge of factual
content.
Instructor objectives:
1. Examination of the changes which occurred within the United States during the final decades
for the nineteenth century…..to include the state of the nation at the “Centennial”, politics in
the late nineteenth century, large-scale American West to settlement and commercial
development, the rebuilding of southern society following the “Reconstruction Era”, and all
relevant progressive reforms and cultural developments.
2. Examination of the ways in which United States rose to a position of new global power and new
global responsibilities during the early years of the twentieth century…..to include American
interactions with Western Hemispheric neighbors, as well as American participations in “World
War I”. Examination of the “Progressive Reform Era” during the early years of the twentieth
century.
3. Examination of the changes in America following “World War I” to include “The Great
Depression”, “The New Deal” and “World War II”.
4. Examinations of “The Cold War” era….to include the social, political, and economic changes
occurring in the United States during the second half of the twentieth century. The modern
“Civil Rights Movement” is a portion of this section.
Course Teaching Requirements: The following principles should be followed by all instructors teaching
this course…….to include full-time, adjuncts, online, and concurrent instructors:
1. All of the topics listed above must be covered by instructors teaching this course. Instructors are
free however to give greater emphasis to some of these listed topics…..and lesser emphasis to
others.
2. The reading assignments for the course should include all of the chapters from the
“Reconstruction Era” to the end of a standard college-level American History textbook.
3. A minimum of two written and proctored examinations are required:
3a. One of these should be some sort of “midterm” exam……to cover all of the material
in the first half of the course.
3b. A comprehensive Final Exam is required. This exam must cover material from the
entire course
4. Instructors are strongly urged to include more than two “graded items” for the course. Four or
five exams….or three exams and a “term paper” are preferable here.
Assessment Responsibilities: All instructors teaching this course…..classroom and online…..will be
expected to participate in assessment activities as dictated by the Division. Further information in this
area will be provide by “Lead instructors” for this course.
Education and Social Science Division Contact Information:
Division Chair: Teddy Davis, 501-882-8873, tldavis@asub.edu
Lead Instructor: Tom Reilly, 501-882-8885, tjreilly@asub.edu
Online Course Monitor: Rhonda Durham, 501-882-4442, rsdurham@asub.edu