COLLIN COLLEGE
COURSE SYLLABUS
HIST 1302 – United States History II
COURSE DESCRIPTION
A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United
States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II
examines industrialization, immigration, world wars, the Great Depression, Cold War and
post-Cold War eras. Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include:
American culture, religion, civil and human rights, technological change, economic
change, immigration and migration, urbanization and suburbanization, the expansion of
the federal government, and the study of U.S. foreign policy.
Course Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours
Prerequisites:
none
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Create an argument through the use of historical evidence.
2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources.
3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global
forces on this period of United States history.
Withdrawal Policy:
If you are unable to complete the course, you must withdraw by Friday, March 22
Withdrawing from a course is a formal procedure that you must initiate. If you stop attending class and do
not withdraw, you will receive the grade you earn, usually an F. If you withdraw from the course, you will
receive a grade of W. Withdrawal forms can be found in the Admissions and Records Office.
Collin College Academic Policies:
Academic Ethics Statement
Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of
academic integrity. Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused
of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or
omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission of
one’s own work material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not
limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts
or teacher’s editions, use of information about exams posted on the Internet or electronic medium,
and/or falsifying academic records. While specific examples are listed below, this is not an
exhaustive list and scholastic dishonesty may encompass other conduct, including any conduct
through electronic or computerized means:
Plagiarism is the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit
to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an
examination; collaborating with another student during an examination without authority; using,
buying, selling, soliciting, stealing, or otherwise obtaining course assignments and/or examination
questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else’s work for
assignments as if it were one’s own; or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the
requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of
scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, failing to secure academic work; providing a
paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating
answers to a classmate about an examination or any other course assignment; removing tests or
answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.
See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
Those found to have taken part in academic dishonesty will receive a zero on the
assignment or exam and the instructor will report the event to the Dean of Students
Office.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
Collin College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and
guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford
equal opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCCG200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD: 972.881.5950) to arrange for appropriate
accommodations. See the current Collin Student Handbook for additional information.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Name:
Office Hours:
Email:
Craig Callon
By appointment
cacallon@collin.edu
INSTRUCTOR’S WEB PAGE:
http://iws2.collin.edu/cacallon
Class Information:
S 11
S PL1
MWF 12 - 12:50
MWF 9:00 pm - 9:50 pm
Room I-111
PSHS
Course Resources:
TEXTBOOK -America: A Narrative History, 8th Ed. Volume II by Tindall & Shi
SUPPLIES:
Bring a pen and paper for note taking to each class
You will also need a Blue Book for each test
Attendance Policy:
Attendance will be taken each class period after the first, not counting test days.
Students are allowed four absences. The fifth, sixth, and seventh absence will each
subtract 40 points from the student’s total score. Eight or more absences will result in
failing the course, regardless of the total. Students must be present for at least three
quarters of the class to be counted as present. Perfect attendance will result in a 20
pt bonus; missing only one day will result in a 10 pt bonus.
Method of Evaluation:
Grades will be assigned based on a points system. Students will decide which
assignments to complete in order to achieve their desired point total. There are no
restrictions on how many assignments a student may do. There are no make-up exams
or assignments accepted late. The following chart will determine grades:
Point Total
Grade
360+
A
320 - 359
B
280 - 319
C
240 - 279
D
< 240
F
Exams (4x, up to 80 pts each): Four essay exams will be given in class. Each
exam will consist of two prompts chosen from a group of potential prompts available on
the course website. For each prompt students are expected to reflect knowledge from
both class lectures AND the course textbook. In order to take each exam students must
provide a new Blue Book and not arrive later than 10 minutes after the start of class. As
a bonus, students that choose to study in groups of 3-4 may email me a picture of the
group at the time of study (not within an hour of normal class time) for a bonus of 8
points.
Textbook Questions (4 sets, up to 40 pts per set): For each of the chapters
assigned for the current unit students must completely answer each of the “Focus
Questions” at the beginning of the chapter. Answers for each chapter must be no less
than a full typed page and must adequately answer the question. Turabian formatting
rules apply. See the Course Calendar below for due dates and chapter assignments.
Primary Source Readings (4 sets, up to 100 pts each): Students will review a
selection of three documents from “Reading the American Past” and answer the
“Questions for Reading and Discussion” at the end of each document. Students must
adequately answer all questions in at least two pages per document, giving a minimum
total of six pages. Turabian formatting rules apply. See the Course Calendar below for
due dates and document assignments.
Group Project (1x, up to 150 pts): Students will work in groups of 3-4 and do
one of the following. All students will receive the same grade and projects are due by the
last class day before finals.
1. Create a Newspaper: Pick a day in history which falls under the
purview of the course and write a newspaper for that day. The final product should
consist of a total of at least 3,500 words (about 12 pages) of well-researched and written
material. The newspaper should include news stories, differing op-eds, a political
cartoon, and other relevant sections all dealing with a specific date of the students
choosing. A major portion of the grade will be creativity and presentation, but students
must also include a bibliography of all sources consulted.
2. Analyze a Book: Students will read “The Great Awakening: A Brief
History with Documents” by Thomas S. Kidd and write a joint analysis of the book.
Students should read the book individually and then discuss it as a group. The analysis
will consist of the following:
 As a group students will write a minimum 2 page introduction to the Great
Awakening explaining what it was and its significance, themes, and effects
in the short and long term.
 Each student will also write a minimum 2 page individual evaluation of the
documents giving their own understanding of the Great Awakening.
 Finally, as a group students will write a minimum 4 page section outlining
the similarities and differences of opinion in the group. In what areas were
there agreement or disagreement regarding its legitimacy, impact, and
political and cultural effects?
All sections should be compiled together for a final product of at least 12-14
pages depending on group size. Grades will be based on evidence of group
discussion and on citations of documents. I am expecting heavy reliance on the
documents, evidenced by numerous citations in endnote format.
Book Review (1x, up to 150 pts): Students will read a history book relevant to
some topic covered during the semester. These can be biographies, military histories,
social histories, or any other approved history book. A list of suggested books will be
provided to students interested in this option; any books not on the list will require my
specific approval. Students will read the book in its entirety and submit a paper of 6-10
pages which summarizes the material of the book, presents and analyzes the author’s
arguments, and analyzes the author’s style. Students are encouraged to begin this early
in the semester. Reviews will be due the last class day before finals; however, I will be
available to help with this assignment if a complete draft is submitted before the third
exam. Turabian formatting rules apply. Suggested books are listed on the course
website.
Course Calendar
W Jan 23 – W Feb 15
Gilded Age, Western Settlement, Urbanization (Ch. 19-22)
F Feb 15
Test 1 – DUE: Textbook Questions ch. 19-22, Source Readings 17-3, 18-4, 19-3
M Feb 18 – W Mar 20
Imperialism, Progressivism, WWI (Ch. 23-25)
M Mar 11 – F Mar 15
Spring Break!
F March 22
Test 2 – DUE: Textbook Questions ch. 23-25, Source Readings 20-4, 21-5, 21-6
F March 22
Last Day to Withdraw
M Mar 25 – W Apr 17
Roaring 20’s, Great Depression, WWII (Ch. 26-30)
F Mar 29
Good Friday, NO CLASS
F Apr 19
Test 3 – DUE: Textbook Questions ch. 26-30, Source Readings 23-3, 24-5, 25-4
M Apr 22 – F May 10
Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, Civil Rights (Ch. 31-35)
F May 10
DUE: Group Project, Book Review
May 13-17 Exam Week
Test 4 – DUE: Textbook Questions ch. 31-35, Source Readings 27-5, 28-2, 29-1