H106 American History II
Section 7575
Tues. - Thurs. 1:30 P. M. – 2:45 P. M.
Cavanaugh Hall, Rm. 217
Fall, 2011
Instructor: M. H. Little
Office: CA 503C
Office hours: T-R 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. R 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. AND BY
APPOINTMENT
Telephone: (317) 274-0098
Email: mlittle@iupui.edu
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 1980. 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.
Course Requirements
Course work will consist of attending weekly lectures and discussions of the assigned
readings, writing completing a two-stage (initial and final draft) 3-5 page analytical essay
on Triangle Shirtwaist factory disaster, weekly on-line quizzes and analysis of historical
assigned documents as well as a fifty multiple choice question midterm and a one
hundred multiple choice question final examination. Both the midterms and final
examinations are cumulative. 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
absolutely essential for successful completion of the course. Your course grade will be
based on your: (a) attendance--10%; (b) participation in classroom discussions and
document analysis--10%; (c) initial and final drafts of analytical essay--30%; online
quizzes--10%; (d) midterm--20%; and final--20%. 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.
Written assignments are assessed for their logic, cogency, and appropriate use of
historical perspectives and concepts. When grading papers, comparisons are inevitable.
This means that an A paper is qualitatively better than a B paper, which is better than a C
paper. The difference may lie in the fact that one paper is more factually comprehensive
than another, argues its case more persuasively, is better organized, contains fewer errors
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of grammar, spelling and punctuation, or is simply a more literate, polished piece of
work.
In assessing oral contributions during weekly in-class discussion of course material, I will
listen for thoughtful, insightful remarks that occur on a regular basis, that demonstrate a
mastery of the subject matter and display a capacity for effective synthesis and analysis.
The following is the grade scale used in the course:
A+ 98, A 93, A- 90, B+ 88, B 83, B- 80, C+ 78, C 73, C- 70, D+ 68, D 63, D- 60.
New Drop Limit Policy for Freshmen
University College freshmen (25 hours or below) may not drop more than one course per
semester. This policy will be enforced through advisor sign-off on drop requests. The
policy does not include course adjustments made during the first week of class nor does it
apply to classes in which a student has been "administratively withdrawn."
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 if you are unable to
attend class or complete an assignment on time. 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.
Academic Misconduct
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 Code of Student Rights,
Responsibilities and Conduct handbook.
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Course Texts
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.
James L. Roark, et al. The American Promise: A History of the United States. Vol. II
4th Edition
Michael P. Johnson, Reading the American Past: Selected Historical Documents. Vol.
II 4th Edition
Jo Ann Argersinger, The Triangle Fire: A Brief History with Documents. First Edition
Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, "They Say / I Say" The Moves That Matter in
Academic Writing. 2nd Edition
Daily Schedule and Assignments
Organizational Meeting
Discussion of course purpose, assignments and goals
History as a Way of Thought and Action
Read: Course syllabus
Read: Graff, Birkenstein and Durst, pp. 1-14
Students are required to develop and ask at least two
questions about the course after a careful reading
of the course syllabus.
Aug. 23
Aug. 25
Reconstruction in the United States
Aug. 30
Podcast: Eric Foner, “The Significance of Reconstruction in American
History”
Read: Roark, Chapter 16
Reconstruction in the United States
Read: Johnson, Chapter 16
Read: Graff, Birkenstein and Durst, pp. 19-28, 30-40
Sept. 1
The Social and Economic Transformation of the U. S. Sept. 6
Lecture: The Closing of the Frontier and Modern U. S. Business
Read: Roark, Chapters 17 & 18
The Social and Economic Transformation of the U. S.
Read: Johnson, Chapters 17 & 18
Read, Graff, Birkenstein and Durst, pp. 30-51, 68-77
Sept. 8
Growth and Social Change in Urban-Industrial America
Sept. 13
Lecture: Migration, Immigration and the Urban-Industrial Metropolis
Read: Roark, Chapter 19
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Growth and Social Change in Urban-Industrial America
Read: Johnson, Chapter 19
First draft of essay of Argersinger, The Triangle Fire due
Sept. 15
The “Gilded Age” and the “Splendid Little War”
Lecture: The Populist Movement and the Spanish American War
Read: Roark, Chapter 20
Sept. 20
The “Gilded Age” and the “Splendid Little War”
Read: Johnson, Chapter 20
Sept. 22
Post-Civil War Society, Politics and Reform
Lecture: Progressivism
Read: Roark, Chapter 21
Sept. 27
Post-Civil War Society, Politics and Reform
Read: Johnson, Chapter 21
Final draft of essay of Argersinger, The Triangle Fire due
Sept. 29
Review for Midterm Examination
Oct. 4
Comprehensive In-Class Midterm Examination
Oct. 6
Includes Roark, Chapters 16 thru 21; Johnson, Chapters 16 thru 21,
and in-class lectures/presentations
The United States and the “Great War”
Lecture: The United States and World War I
Read: Roark, Chapter 22
Oct. 11
The United States and the “Great War”
Read: Johnson, Chapter 22
Oct. 13
Fall Break – No Class
Oct. 18
The 1920s in the United States
Lecture: The 1920s and the Birth of Modern American Culture
Read: Roark, Chapter 23; Johnson, Chapter 23
Oct. 20
The Great Depression and FDR’s New Deal
Lecture: The Great Depression and FDR's New Deal
Read: Roark, Chapter 24
Oct. 25
The Great Depression and FDR’s New Deal
Read: Johnson, Chapter 24
Oct. 27
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The United States and World War II
Causes and Consequences of World War II
Read: Roark, Chapter 25
Nov. 1 Lecture: The
The United States and World War II
Read: Johnson, Chapter 25
Nov. 3
Truman, Eisenhower and the Cold War United States
Lecture: Truman, Eisenhower and the Cold War
Read: Roark, Chapters 26 & 27
Nov. 8
Truman, Eisenhower and the Cold War United States
Read: Johnson, Chapters 26 & 27.
Nov. 10
Years of Social Protest, Reform and Reaction
Civil Rights Movement and Post-WWII Reform
Read: Roark, Chapter 28
Nov. 15 Lecture: The
Years of Social Protest, Reform and Reaction
Read: Johnson, Chapter 28
Nov. 17
Open date
Nov. 22
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class
Nov. 24
The Vietnam War and the Limits of U. S. Power
DVD: “Inside the Vietnam War”
Read: Roark, Chapter 29
Nov. 29
The Vietnam War and the Limits of U. S. Power
Johnson, Chapter 29
Dec. 1
The United States and Neo-Conservatism
DVD: “American Experience: Nixon”
Read: Roark, Chapter 30
Dec. 6
The United States and Neo-Conservatism
Read: Johnson, Chapter 30
Dec. 8
Classes End
Final Examination - Tuesday
Time: 1:00 P. M. - 3:00 P. M.
Location: CA 217
Last revised 8/20/11
Dec. 12
Dec. 13