SYLLABUS for US History after 1877 / Hist. 1302
Wichita Falls ISD and Ranger College
COURSE NUMBER/TITLE: History 1302: American History
CREDIT HOURS:
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE HOURS:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
0.5 high school credit per semester.
Mr. Tony Mathison
1:20 to 2:05 PM, on scheduled school days.
(940) 235-1070; message only
E-MAIL (Preferred communication): tmathison@wfisd.net
OR tmathison@rangercollege.edu
I. CATALOG DESCRIPTION
:
Emphasis will be placed on new social and industrial problems, the rise of the progressive movement, the growth of business, the United States as a world power, the United States in World
War I, the 1920’s, the Great Depression and the New Deal, World War II, the Truman years, contemporary America, the crisis in Vietnam, the Wars in Iraq, 9-11, and current events.
II. COURSE CONTENT OBJECTIVES
:
A. Understand and relate the political development of the two major parties in the late nineteenth century and to trace and understand their efforts on today's political system.
B. To understand and analyze the development of the different reform movements (Populist, progressivism, temperance, women's suffrage) and contrast their effects on the country today.
C. Understand and relate the reason for the growth of the labor movement in the late nineteenth century and the future effects it had on the government of the United States.
D. Analyze the choices, constraints, expectations, and outcomes of the United States involvement in the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam.
E. Analyze the choices, constraints, expectations, and outcomes of the Civil Rights crisis and the resulting effects on the United States.
F. To compare and contrast problems in contemporary America and the choices, constraints, expectations, and probable outcomes.
III. COURSE GOAL:
First, students successfully completing this course will have a greater appreciation for, and knowledge of the diverse cultural, political, social and economic events that have helped to shape the present. The student will understand the importance of the past in relating to the present and successfully preparing for the future (please see Part VII, S-11). Secondly, each student is expected to pass the EOC exam since it is a graduation requirement. Lastly, each student is encouraged to achieve Advanced Level III: Academic Performance.
IV. REQUIRED BACKGROUND/PREREQUISITES:
Successful promotion to your junior year at the high school level.
V. TEXTBOOK: ISBN = xxx
Students are held accountable for reading each chapter per selected chapter quizzes and selected questions on each exam that are NOT covered in lecture notes and other class time activities.

VI. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
Formative Assessments, Lectures, class discussions with active student participation, use of course content related DVD movies and/or you-tube segments, classmate presentations, guest speakers, and skits related to course objectives.
VII. EXEMPLARY EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES PER COLLEGE LEVEL
STANDARDS:
C1: To understand and apply basic principles of radical thinking, problem solving, and technical proficiency in the development of exposition and argument.
C3: To understand and appropriately apply modes of expression in descriptive, expositive, narrative, scientific, and self-expressive in written, visual, and oral communications.
C4: To participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding.
HUMANITIES AND VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS (H)
H2 - To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historic and social context
H7 - To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (S)
S2 - To examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and cultures.
S5 – To analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on the areas under study.
S8 – To differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and statistical) and differing points of view.
S11 – To recognize and assume one’s responsibility as a citizen in a democratic society by learning to think for oneself, by engaging in public discourse, and by obtaining information through the news media and other appropriate information sources about politics and public policy.
S12 – To identify and understand differences and commonalities within diverse cultures.
MATHEMATICS (M)
M5 – To interpret mathematical models such as formulas, graphs, tables, and schematics, and draw inferences from them.
VIII. BASIC INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES PER COLLEGE LEVEL
STANDARDS:
B1: To analyze and interpret a variety of printed materials at college level.
B2: To produce clear, correct and coherent prose adapted to the purpose of the class including correct spelling, grammar and punctuation; and, developing and organizing topics.
B3: To communicate orally in clear, coherent, and persuasive language appropriate to the purpose, occasion and audience.
B4: To analyze and interpret various forms of spoken communication.
B5: To apply both qualitative and quantitative skills analytically and creatively to subject matter in order to evaluate arguments and construct alternative strategies.

IX. IMPORTANT DATES & COURSE CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR:

Class begins: Aug. 25, 2014.

Benchmark One: TBA in Oct., 2014.

Benchmark Two: TBA in March, 2015.

Six weeks exams per six-weeks exam schedule each six-weeks.

Exam substitute-grade-presentation around the “mid-six weeks” each six-weeks.

Extra Credit Deadline: Monday, May 4 th
, 2015.

Final exam: Thursday, May 7 th
, 2015 (i.e., EOC Exam)
IMPORTANT DATES & COURSE CALENDAR FOR SEMESTER ONE: (semester two will be posted by the first week of January 2015)
Aug. 15-29. Class Procedures/1878-1900 Gilded
Age.
Sept. 2-5 Cont. Gilded Age
US Constitution Sept. 8-12
Sept. 15-19
Sept. 22-26
US Constitution
Sept. 29-Oct. 3
Western Frontier
Western Frontier
US, a World Power Oct. 6-10
Oct. 13-17
Oct. 20-24
US, a World Power
Benchmark Testing
Oct. 27-31
Nov. 3-7
Nov. 10-14
Roaring 1920s
Roaring 1920s
Roaring 1920s

Nov. 17-21 1930s: Depression and WWII causes
Nov. 24-25 1930s: Depression and WWII causes
1930s: Depression and WWII causes Dec. 1-5
Dec. 8-12
Dec. 15-19
1930s: US and WWII.
Semester Exam per Hirschi’s exam schedule
X. MAIN COURSE/CLASSROOM POLICIES:
A. ATTENDANCE/LATENESS:
Regular and punctual attendance in all classes is considered essential for optimum academic success. If the student has the equivalent of three weeks of unofficial absences in a course, the instructor may drop the student with a grade of “F. Class participation grades can be negatively impacted due to unofficial absent(s) when substitute assignments, if assigned, are not turned in per section X-C.
Unofficial absences are counted from the first day of class as listed in the RC College Calendar regardless of the date of the student’s registration. The only official absence is an authorized college activity.
B. CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION:
Class participation and/or substitute assignments will count for 10% of the grade based on attendance, active participation with bonus points allowed, and a lack of cell phone use except for emergencies. (Please see syllabus Part VI and Part VII, section C4).
C. MISSED EXAMS/MAKE-UP POLICY
No make-ups will be given during class. A grade of zero can be given for any missed exam, or any other assigned work, that is not made up within the time frame announced by the instructor. A point deduction can be assigned for work not completed within ONE week of the due date. A higher point deduction or a zero can be assigned for all make-up work, exams or other assignments, turned in later than one week from the due date or after the last business day of “dead week.”
It is the sole responsibility of the student to acquire lecture notes or any other class materials covered during his/her absence. After clear communication with the instructor about an unavoidable miss, a student may request and get an outline of lecture notes provided yet getting the same notes from a classmate is suggested that often is more inclusive of class discussion points made by students.

D. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Any student caught cheating, whether by the instructor, facilitator, or another student, on any exam, report or project, whether in the classroom or elsewhere will earn a grade of “F” in the course. It is strongly recommended that the student caught cheating immediately drop the course to avoid a grade of “F”.
E. STUDENT BEHAVIOR:
Disruptive behavior is when any activity of an individual in the class impedes the learning process of any other individual in the class and/or the instructor’s ability to concentrate. The individual causing the disruption and/or lack of proper procedure is subject to immediate dismissal from the class and may be dismissed from the course. Once dismissed from the course by the instructor, either for excessive absences or for disruptive/improper behavior, there is no reinstatement during the same semester. A lesser consequence is a lowered class participation grade for that class at issue or a student-instructor conference.
F. CLASSROOM POLICIES
1. Cell phones are to be turned off before and during class with exceptions for emergencies. Other electronic devices are not permitted with the exception of a laptop for note taking or a recorder to record lectures. Furthermore, cell phones are to be off, and placed at a location away from your desk during all exams or any other time at the instructor’s discretion.
2. Profanity and derogatory remarks will not be tolerated in class.
3. Any non-student should be spoken to in a courtesy manner or not spoken to at all.(i.e.,
Instructor’s Assistant, Guest Speaker, or anyone pre-approved by the instructor and invited to class by the instructor, any student, or any member of the RC administration.
4. Students are expected to keep up with their textbooks, hand-outs and other materials. Students are expected to give their classmates their full attention when presentations and/or class discussions are on-going.
5. Your second copy of each quiz is designed to help you prepare for your next exam when the correct answers are discussed after completing the quiz. Additionally, you are expected to pay close attention to what you missed or did not miss in order to determine your own quiz grade without seeing the original quiz. This extra effort on the student’s part allows for the chance to correct each quiz to a grade of 90 in a timely manner.
6. You are allowed to full in your OWN Class Participation Grade, when invited to do so by the instructor. You are also allowed to change any quiz grade to a 90 that you have corrected, turned in, and notice the chance had not been made at the time of your viewing of your grade sheet.
7. Despite each student having input with some of their non-exam grades, the instructor reserves the right to change any grade sheet information to better fit the requirements of the course. Should this occur, the student will be notified of the change per an email or the use of a highlighter to reveal the change on the grade sheet.
G. AVAILABLE SUPPORT SERVICES: ADA STATEMENT:
Ranger College provides a variety of services for students with learning and/or physical disabilities. The student is responsible for making the initial contact with the Ranger College

Counselor. It is advisable to make this contact before or immediately after the semester begins.
Tutors and/or tutorial assistance will be provided as needed with times and meeting location to be determined by appointment.
H. A supplemental class procedure page, an extensionof the syllabus, may be issued at any point in the semester.
XI. ASSESSMENT (GRADE PROCEDURES): 50% + 25% + 25% = 100%
A.The final examis comprehensive.

Average of exams (two or three, weighted equally) AND research paper (if assigned) =
50%

Average of Class Participation or Class Participation Substitute grades = 25%

Average of quizzes, quiz correction(s),other assignment(s), and the US Presidential
Presentation, if assigned. = 25
B. GRADE SCALE: Per WFISD standards.
XII. EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES:
1. A bulletin board covering any person, place, or person in US History AND within our course timeframe. To earn the maximum bonus points possible, the quality must look like college level work indicated by attention to details, accurate presented facts, and time spent outside of class in preparation(+1, +2, or +3 on course average).
2. Perfect attendance which includes “perfect” on-task effort and participation during class which does include no cell phone use (a rare tardy or a race need to take an emergency related phone call does not eliminate a student from this option: (+3 on course average).
3. Since the goal is to learn history and not make bad grades, every quiz can be corrected up to a
90 if turned in per section X, C (Also, please see section X, F-5). These MUST be taken in the morning before first period and by appointment. (improved quiz/daily average)
4. History Topic Debates reward each participant with a +10 bonus on their class participation for that class yet sharing many facts to support your view point will increase the bonus to + 20. Note
- Please consider adding enjoyment and a variety of learning styles to our class by participating in debates, totally connected to our course objectives, that can be concluded by class vote or a brief one-paragraph summary assignment. (improved quiz/daily average)
5. A quality Research Paper on a US History Topic that must be “pre-approved” by the teacher.
Please see section IX and section XV. (+1,+2,+3,+4,+5,+6,+7 on six week’s average)
XIII. NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:
Admissions, employment and program policies of Ranger College are nondiscriminatory in regard to race, color, creed, sex, age, disability and national origin.

XIV. Pre-Test/Post Test& Course Evaluations:
Each student is responsible for attempting a “pre-test”. The only grade for the pre-test, if at all, is a class participation grade. The post test can be either the exact same pre-test OR it may be concepts worked into the final exam.
In this case, the instructor will check to determine the student’s progress. All students are expected to complete a teacher evaluation during the last week of the course.
XV. Research Paper Information:

Best help: Request an example research paper sample.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as turning in someone else's work and calling it your own.
At Ranger College, plagiarism is treated as a dishonest action, an issue of dishonorable behavior. There are two types of plagiarism to beware of --intentional and unintentional plagiarism. Intentional plagiarism is an obvious type of cheating that includes turning in works that are falsely presenting as your own. It may be work that was produced by a roommate, a spouse, or material copied from the Internet. Copy and Paste is considered intentional plagiarism. Unintentional plagiarism will not be addressed for this course. The underlying message of the Ranger College plagiarism policy is that instructors are committed to encouraging students to use source material correctly.

Citation Style: Chicago Turabian with citation text notes in parenthesis and with footnotes at the bottom of each page. Bibliography at the back on one page and labeled. Please do NOT ask to use a different style. There will be special research paper times provided by the instructor to help with citations and/or other matters connected to you turning in an excellent research paper; one that is informative and just as importantly, has an interest to the student.

How Graded: The paper starts as a 95; the footnotes are checked (-10 if one or more mistake are found); the Bibliography is checked (-10 if one or more mistake are found); a first reading is done to confirm zero false facts and/or plagiarism; if the previous step is acceptable, a second reading is done for the sake of finding potential bonus points with a +25 point maximum allowed.

Citation Sample: Each student is responsible for getting a sample of citation style to follow.
Email the instructor for this sample ASAP if the need exist.

XVI. RECEIPT OF SYLLABUS SIGNATURE (student copy):
I have received and understand the above syllabus for the US History after 1877 / Hist. 1302 course & I also understand Class Procedures Handout(s) may be forthcoming:
__________________________________________; Student