History 13 – Fall 2015
The United States – The 20th Century
Syllabus and Survival Guide
TuTh 11:10am – 12:35pm
Instructor
Professor S. A. Jones
Office Hours: Thursdays, 12:45-1:45pm, or by appointment
Email: jonessa@piercecollege.edu
Urbanhistorian55@gmail.com
Required Reading
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty, Seagull 4TH Edition, Volume 2 (ISBN-13: 978-0393920314) Publisher: Norton, W. W. &
Company, Inc.
Moody, Anne. Coming of Age in Mississippi, (ISBN-13:9780440314882) Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Selected Readings assigned throughout the semester (I will provide for you electronically or hard copy)
To subvert the system and save yourself some money – consider purchasing used copies of the texts. Used and
discounted copies are easy to find online and – most importantly – you can use Amazon.com to rent your text – if you do
not intend to keep it – at a fraction of the cost for new. Check out www.bookfinder.com or www.amazon.com.
Do be sure you order the correct copy of the primary text, as older versions may be quite different.
The Spirit of this Course….
As a person who believes an informed citizen is crucial to the health of any democracy, I hope that by studying the
unfolding of the American story since the Gilded Age, you will leave this course a more informed citizen than when you
entered. To quote a mentor of mine and fellow historian: “Many aspects our contemporary culture – particularly new
technologies – encourage us to remain perpetually entertained and distracted, but also docile and uninformed. We are
urged to consume perpetually and discouraged from engaging in any form of critical thinking. Not surprisingly, people
around the world see Americans as astonishingly ignorant of their own nation’s history and even more clueless about the
world around them. This is not only embarrassing but perhaps even dangerous, for as the British author George Orwell
reminds us in his novel 1984, those who have no knowledge of the past are not only powerless, they inevitably are
dominated by those who do possess such knowledge – something to think about….” Let us consider these ideas as we
explore the American story together this semester…
Theme of this Course…..
One way to bring focus to a large amount of material is to identify major themes that recur throughout this period of
our country’s history. Looking at a series of events through the lens of a theme, it becomes easier to see how these
events are linked, and a collective “big picture” begins to emerge. Moreover, this process can reveal connections
between the past and the present that we might not have seen otherwise. Though there are obviously many themes
from which one could choose, we will attempt to structure this course through the lens of Freedom.
1. Freedom is a ubiquitous concept in American culture. It is deeply imbedded in everyday American life, and
individually and collectively, Americans cherish the concept of freedom. As America’s story unfolds, how fluid
or ridged has this concept been?
2. While the idea of “Freedom” is fundamental to Americans’ concepts of themselves as individuals and as a
nation, how has this idea been shaped and reshaped by moments and eras in America’s story?
3. How do generations of Americans both experience and define history and the concept of Freedom? To what
extent do the generations of your own family reflect significant patterns in U.S. history from the twentieth to
the twenty-first centuries? How might your own family define “freedom”?
4. What constitutes a “good and free society”? How do those outside of America view our “free nation” in myth
or reality?
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These questions have no simple answers. We will attempt to grapple thoughtfully with these issues, beyond 20-second
sound bites, slogans, Facebook memes, or 140 twitter characters. Today, more than ever, one must be in the habit to
think critically, instead of blindly following any particular political “line.” In this class, we will try to do some serious
thinking, and hopefully we will be more well informed than when we began the term.
Grading
Attendance, Quizzes, Reading and Participation - 20%
Midterm - 25%
Final Exam - 35%
Writing Assignment - 20%
Timely Attendance
Please be considerate of everyone and arrive to class in a timely manner. Students who come to class late disrupt
everyone else’s train of thought – including mine. Consistent late arrivals and absence will be acknowledged by me, duly
noted, and reflective in your final grade.
Reading and Participation
There’s no getting around it – History classes require a lot of reading. But, it is supposed to. To do well in this course,
you will need to complete the reading, but you will also need to have given it some thought. Read with a pencil and
notebook in hand – take notes if you need to. Record terms that are unfamiliar to you or that you don’t understand,
points that you find interesting or surprising, arguments with which you strongly agree or disagree, or ideas that connect
to things we’ve talked about in previous classes. Finally, and most importantly, come to class PREPARED. That means
you should complete the reading before you attend to participate in meaningful and thoughtful discussion. Lack of
preparation will be reflective in your final grade.
Quizzes
Quizzes will be given throughout the semester at the beginning of class, based on the reading and lecture from previous
weeks. All of them will be announced beforehand. There is no make up for any quiz, and the lowest quiz grade will be
dropped.
Examinations ( Midterm /Final)
Exams will be based on readings and lectures and will be comprised of multiple choice questions, true/false, and short
essay questions. Study guides will be provided in plenty of time before each exam. A standard scantron form 882 will be
required for each exam.
Paper Assignments
You will be required to submit an essay assignment that should be 1200 to about 1600 words in length. The paper topics
will be handed out well before the due date, and we will discuss all of those requirements later in the term. Please bring
a stapled, hard copy with you to class on the due date. Also, please email a copy as an attachment to
urbanhistorian55@gmail.com.
History 13 – And Surviving…
Freshmen…and Everyone Else…
Contrary to what you may have experienced or heard about college faculty, I will do all I can to be available for students
on a one-on-one basis. If you need advice or help – even if your problem is not directly related to this course – do not
hesitate to email me, come to my office hours, or set up an appointment with me. Students who make the effort to get to
know their professors end up getting far more from their college education than those who don’t. That practice worked
wonders for me.
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Stuff Happens….
If you are feeling overwhelmed, find yourself falling behind, or are having any problems outside of class that are adversely
affecting your performance in class, be sure to let me know as soon as it is possible. Listen, I really get it. Everyone in this
class may be in a different season of life, so understandably, many situations may arise. However, do not wait until the
end of the semester, when it will be too late. I am more than willing to work with you to insure you “survive,” but I need
to know you are having difficulties. Come to see me or send an email as soon as a problem arises so we can work
something out. If you are struggling academically, I can meet with you to help where I can. Please also understand, that
while students are in many different seasons in life, college coursework is rigorous and demanding and being part of the
college experience sets a certain expectation.
CAS (Center for Academic Success)
Many students lack college level writing skills. Sadly, the evidence indicates many college students also lack high school
level writing skills. To help address these issues, Pierce College has established the Center for Academic Success. If you
need additional assistance on writing assignments, you can make an appointment with one of the writing tutors by calling
them at 818-719-6414. Workshops will also be available. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this service before
submitting papers to me, if you think you may have trouble. You are always welcome to meet with me to go over a draft
of a paper, or discuss your ideas.
Laptops, Smartphones, and Tablets
Laptops, smartphones or tablets will not be allowed for use at anytime during the class period. The only exception would be
that of a medical note stating that you must have one. This is not an arbitrary or deliberately cruel policy. Nearly all of the
research suggests that using a laptop or tablet in class is more of a distraction than an aid. A recent study concludes, for
example, that taking notes by hand is far more beneficial to students than typing them on a computer. If you cannot stay
off your computer for 75 minutes, you may want to consider taking a different course. All electronic devices, including all
headphones/earbuds must be out of sight, put on silent mode or turned off, and be placed in bags or backpacks until class
ends.
Professionalism and the Golden Rule
Welcome to College! You are in a college environment among professional people. Please act accordingly. Do not
embarrass yourself by being unprofessional or rude. I expect that you would respond and to me and to other students
with decorum, respect and professionalism, even if there is a difference of opinion or ideas. Please treat others as you
would like to be treated. Please arrive on time and do not walk out in the middle of class unless it is an emergency or you
have spoken to me about it ahead of time. Do not distract your classmates by beginning to gather up your things before
the end of class. If someone around you is acting in a manner that is less than what is expected, let me know after class,
and I will speak with them. If you are acting unprofessionally and distracting me, please expect that I may ask you to leave
the room.
Academic Honesty
Please do not insult my intelligence and tell me things that are not true and expect me to believe you. That sort of thing
really is unnecessary. Please do not cheat on quizzes or exams – particularly from the people in front of you or on either
side of you since they are taking a quiz or test that has the questions in a different order than your quiz or test. It is also
very, very uncool.
Plagiarism
Please do not plagiarize from printed sources or from the internet. Since plagiarism is always obvious and easily caught, it
is better to hand in your own work and get a C- than someone else’s and get an F. Additionally, this sort of behavior leads
to an automatic “F” in the course, an awful smear on your permanent academic record, and most certainly unpleasant
conversations with Deans and Academic higher ups of all sorts. You don’t want to have to explain this to your kids. People
respect others with integrity. Get in the habit of being honest with others and with yourself.
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Schedule of Topics, Readings and Assignments
Week 1
Sept 1 – Introduction, Requirements, Discussion and General important Information
Reading: Syllabus
Sept 3 – America’s Gilded Age, Freedom, and the Birth of Jim Crow – 1890 - 1900
Reading: Foner: Chapter 16, 17
Week 2
Sept 8 – The Progressive Era 1900 - 1916
Reading: Foner Chapter 18
Reading: Selections from Jane Addams, Ida B. Wells
Sept 10 – Democracy, The United States, and World War I 1916 - 1920
Reading: Foner Chapter 19
Reading: Selections from W.E.B DuBois, Woodrow Wilson
Week 3
Sept 15 – A New Society, Consumerism, and the Great Depression 1920 - 1932
Reading: Foner Chapter 20
Reading: To be announced
Sept 17 FDR, 100 Days and the New Deal, 1932 - 1940
Reading: Foner Chapter 21
Reading: Selections from Frank Hill, Franklin Roosevelt, and Herbert Hoover
QUIZ #1
Week 4
Sept 22 – World War II
Reading: Foner Chapter 22
Reading: “World War II and Mexican-Americans”
Sept 24 – Zoot Suits, Conks, and Jive
Reading: Selections from Robin DG Kelley
Week 5
Sept 29 – The Cold War, HUAC and A Culture of Fear
Readings: Foner Chapter 23
Oct 1 – Chavez Ravine and Freedom Lost
Readings: To Be Announced
Week 6
Oct 6 – “C’mon Kids, We’re going to Disneyland!” The Suburbs, the 50’s and the other America
Reading: Foner Chapter 24
Oct 8 – The Other America - Brown vs. The Board of Education and The Origins of the Civil Rights Movement
Readings: Selections from Richard Nixon, Martin L. King, Jr, “The Southern Manifesto”
QUIZ#2
Week 7
Oct 13 – The Sixties – Triumph, Tragedy, and the Countercultural movement
Oct 15 – JFK, Camelot and Foreign Policy
Reading: Foner Chapter 25
Week 8
Oct 20 – The Rise of the Vietnam Conflict
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Oct 22 –
MIDTERM EXAM
Week 9
Oct 27– “A Movement of the Young” – The Sixties and the Struggle for Civil Rights and Social Justice
Oct 29 Voting, Freedom Rides and the summer of 1964
Readings: Selections from King, Chavez, Johnson
Week 10
Nov 3 - Generation Wars, and the Peak of the Movement
Reading: Moody, Chap 1 – 4, 10 – 12, 18 to end
Nov 5 –- The Marches, the Protests, and the Violence
QUIZ# 3 Week 11
Nov 10 – The Great Society
Nov 12 – 1968
Readings: to be announced
Week 12
Nov 17 - PAPER DUE – Conservatism: Politics, the End of Vietnam, and the “end” of the Revolution
Nov 19 –– The Eighties and Reaganomics
Readings: Foner Chapter 26
QUIZ #4
Week 13
Nov 24 – The Gulf War, and The Era of Clinton
Nov 26 – NO CLASS – HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Readings: to be announced
Week 14
Dec 1 – New World Order and Globalization
Dec 3 - New World Order and Globalization, part 2
Reading: Foner Chapter 27
QUIZ #5
Week 15
Dec 8 – A New Century: 9/11, Katrina, Crisis and The Age of Obama
Dec 10 – A “New” Gilded Age?
Reading: Foner Chapter 28
Week 16
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FINAL EXAM – TUESDAY DECEMBER 15
- 11AM TO 1PM
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