Discipline/Program: History
Course Title: U.S. History 1302: From 1877 through the Present
Course Rubric and Number: HIST 1302
Semester with Course Reference Number (CRN): 2013 Spring Semester, Section: 37677
Course Location/Times: Felix Morales 302; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8:30 to 10:00 pm
Course Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 3 Hours, Lecture
Course Contact Hours: 48 Contact Hours
Course Length (number of weeks): 16 weeks
Type of Instruction: Lecture
Instructor Name: Juan Manuel Galván Rodríguez, ABD
Phone Number (Office): TBA
E-mail: j.galvanrodriguez@hccs.edu
Emergency e-mail: jmgalvan68@gmail.com
Office Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5:00-5:30 pm, Felix Morales 307.
Course Description: The American nation from the Reconstruction Era to the Present. Core Curriculum
course.
Course Prerequisites: Must have passed ENGL 1301 (Composition I) or be co-enrolled in ENGL 1301.
Course Goal: Students will evaluate historical developments in an essay.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
1. Students will evaluate historical development in an essay.
2. Students will be read primary source documents.
3. Students will analyze historical evidence by writing an analytical essay.
4. Explain the importance of chronology and how earlier ideas and events shaped later events.
Course (Student) Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
1. Explain the features of the Gilded Age and the issues on society, culture, and politics
2. Summarize Industrialism and Urbanization
3. Analyze the New South and Jim Crow
4. Explain Populism and Progressivism
5. Identify the causes and effects of WWI and the US
6. Discuss America between the wars
7. Identify the causes of WW2 and the Cold War
8. Discuss Post-war America at home
9. Discuss Post-modern America
History 1302 CRN 37677 Spring 2013
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Required Instructional Materials:
American Passages Online Reader, Volume Two.
Students may purchase for the online reader an access card for the online reader at the campus bookstore.
Make sure you purchase Volume II.
Howard Zinn, A People’s History of the United States, 1492-Present. New York: Harper Perennial
Modern Classics, 2005.
Stephanie Coontz, The Way We Never Were: American Families and the Nostalgia Trap. New York:
Basic Books, 2000. YOU MUST GET THE 2,000 EDITION AS IT CONTAINS NEW MATERIAL!
Lectures, films, music, and websites shared in class.
Five LETTER SIZE green or blue books
Five 5” x 8” Blank Index Cards
Five 50-item Scantrons Form No. 882-E
Recommended:
American Passages Companion Website
UH Digital History Timelines
Scans Skills
Texas Colleges must demonstrate that the Basic Intellectual Core Competencies are incorporated into all
Core courses. This course addresses the competencies in the following ways:
Reading: The lecture notes, PowerPoint Presentations, Virtual Reader, the textbook, and the monograph will
provide the basis for Unit Quizzes, Class Discussion, Semester Writing Assignment, and Midterm and Final
Exams. Students must study AT LEAST an extra two hours at home for every hour spent in the
classroom BEFORE coming to class and be ready to participate in discussion.
Writing: Students will conduct most communication with the instructor through the typewritten word.
Students will write answers to essay questions and papers.
Speaking: Students may consult the instructor for supplemental information or clarification of assignments
as needed. Students working in groups have the opportunity to develop their academic speaking proficiency.
Listening: Students working in collaboration with other students on chapter assignments will have the
opportunity to develop and practice their listening skills. Students will also practice critical listening from
audio and video materials.
Critical Thinking: Exam essays will contain questions and problems that require higher-level, "critical"
thinking skills to solve successfully. The Midterm and Final exams, the Semester Writing Assignment, and
essay assignments will likewise contain questions and problems that will require higher-level, "critical"
thinking skills to solve successfully.
History 1302 CRN 37677 Spring 2013
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Computer Literacy: Courses such as this one require significant computer literacy from students, who must
be proficient at navigating the web, navigating academic databases, delivering PowerPoint presentations, and
word processing written work.
Important Dates:
Wednesday, Jan. 30. Last Day for 70% Refund
Tuesday, Feb. 5. Last Day for 25% Refund
Tuesday, Feb. 5. FIRST EXAM
Tuesday, March 5. SECOND EXAM
March 11-17. SPRING BREAK. NO CLASS!
Tuesday, March 26. TERM PAPER DUE.
Monday, April 1 by 4:30 pm. Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawals
Tuesday, April 9. THIRD EXAM
Tuesday, May 7 at 8:00 pm. FINAL EXAM
Friday, May 17. GRADES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS
Course Calendar – Spring 2013 Regular Semester Schedule
WEEK 1
Tuesday, Jan 15. Introduction to Class
Thursday, Jan. 17. Read: Zinn Ch. 9; American Perspectives Ch. 1: “Congress Takes Aim at the ‘Chinese
Menace’ (1892)”; and “Urban Pollution – Many Long Years Ago”.
WEEK 2
Tuesday, Jan. 22 Read: Zinn Ch. 10. Read: American Perspectives Ch. 2: “Testimony of Benjamin Singleton
(1880)”; and “The Horrors of Lynching in the South”
Thursday, Jan. 24. Read: Zinn Ch. 11; American Perspectives Ch. 3: “Letter from Governor Edmund Ross of
New Mexico to President Grover Cleveland”; and “Wovoka’s Message: The Promise of the Ghost Dance”.
WEEK 3
Tuesday, Jan. 29. Read: Zinn Ch. 12
Thursday, Jan. 31. Read: Zinn Ch. 13; American Perspectives Ch. 4: “Their Own Hotheadedness: Senator
Benjamin R. ‘Pitchfork Ben’ Tillman Justifies Violence Against Southern Blacks (1900)”; and “The Omaha
Platform of the People’s Party of America (July 4, 1892)”.
WEEK 4
Tuesday, Feb. 5. FIRST EXAM
Thursday, Feb. 7. Read: Zinn Ch. 14
WEEK 5
Tuesday, Feb. 12. Read: American Perspectives Ch. 5: “How the Other Half Lives (1890)”; and “The Triangle
Shirtwaist Factory Fire (1911)”.
Thursday, Feb. 14. Read: Zinn Ch. 15
WEEK 6
Tuesday, Feb. 19. Zinn Ch. 16
Thursday, Feb. 21. Read: American Perspectives Ch. 6: “Albert Beveridge Defends U.S. Imperialism (1900)”;
and “War si a Racket (1935)”.
WEEK 7
Tuesday, Feb. 26. Zinn Ch. 17
History 1302 CRN 37677 Spring 2013
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Thursday, Feb. 28. Read: American Perspectives Ch. 7: “The Reverend Amzi Clarence on the Evils of
Evolution (1922)”; and “Houston’s Working Class and the Origins of Organized Labor at the Bayou City”.
WEEK 8
Tuesday, March 5. SECOND EXAM
Thursday, March 7. Read: Zinn Ch. 18
WEEK 9, March 11-17. SPRING BREAK. NO CLASS!
WEEK 10
Tuesday, March 19. Read: Zinn Ch. 19
Thursday, March 21. Read: Read: American Perspectives Ch. 8: “Every Man a King –Radio Speech to the
Nation (February 23, 1934)”; and “The Bonus Army Invades Washington”.
WEEK 11
Tuesday, March 26. TERM PAPER DUE. Read: Zinn Ch. 20
Thursday, March 28. Read: American Perspectives Ch. 9: “The Detroit Race Riot (1943)”; and “Japan’s
Achilles’ Heel”.
Monday, April 1 by 4:30 pm. Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawals
WEEK 12
Tuesday, April 2. Read: Zinn Ch. 21
Thursday, April 4. Read: American Perspectives Ch. 10: “Enemies Within Speech (February 11, 1950)”; and
“A Good Way to Pick a Fight”.
WEEK 13
Tuesday, April 9. THIRD EXAM
Thursday, April 11. Read: Zinn Ch. 22; American Perspectives Ch. 11: “The Southern Manifesto (1956)”; and
“SNCC Position Paer: Women in the Civil Rights Movement (1964)”
WEEK 14
Tuesday, April 16. Read: Zinn Ch. 23
Thursday, April 18. Read: American Perspectives Ch. 12: “They Were Butchering People (2003)”; and “The
Trail of Broken Treaties Protest (1999)”.
WEEK 15
Tuesday, April 23. Read: Zinn Ch. 24
Thursday, April 25. American Perspectives Ch. 13: “Financial Scandal and U.S. – Iraqi Relations (1989)”; and
“The Unocal Affair”.
WEEK 16
Tuesday, April 30. Read: Zinn Ch. 25
Thursday, May 2. Read: Zinn Afterword
Tuesday, May 7 at 8:00 pm. FINAL EXAM
Friday, May 17. GRADES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS
Instructional Methods: Lecture Notes, Student PowerPoint Presentations, Films, Music, Major Exams,
Semester Writing Assignment.
History 1302 CRN 37677 Spring 2013
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Student Assignments: Read a variety of historical material, complete quizzes and exams, and submit a major
paper.
Student Assessments: 5 Midterm Exams, 1 Final Exam, 1 Semester Writing Assignment.
HCC Policy Statements:
ADA: DISABILITY SERVICES
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs
to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Support Services Office at the beginning
of each semester. Professors are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability
Support Services Office. The counselor for Southeast College can be reached at 713-718-7218.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Academic irregularities cannot be tolerated. Attempts to compromise the integrity of this course will result in
a grade of zero for the assignment. Students must not collaborate on the exams in any way (including the use
of materials from former students) and must not copy material from any source to use as their essay answers
or discussion contributions. See the HCCS 2011-2012 Student Handbook for further details.
Cheating is not that hard to define and as college students, you should have a firm idea about what cheating
is. Just to be clear, here are a few simple definitions:
 Cheating is: Copying from another student's exam.
 Cheating is: During an exam, using materials not authorized by the person giving the exam.
 Cheating is: Collaborating with another student during an exam without proper authority.
 Cheating is: Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the
contents of an exam or paper.
 Cheating is: Bribing another person to obtain a copy of an exam.
 Cheating is: Plagiarism which means using someone's work or someone's ideas and representing
them to be your own. That "someone" may be another student, a friend, a relative, a book author, an
author of material on a web site, etc. Do not take material from anywhere without giving proper
credit or reference. In other words, do not copy from an Internet source and paste it into your essay
answer space.
 Cheating is: Collusion, which means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing
written work offered for credit when you represent that work to be your own.
In this class, the standard penalty for academic dishonesty is a grade of zero in the course. Academic
dishonesty can lead to a recommendation for probation or dismissal from the College System.
If you ever have any question about what is cheating, what is plagiarism or what is unauthorized collusion,
please contact your instructor before you do anything or submit anything. It is much better to ask first than to
get caught later.
Program/Discipline Requirements:
A minimum of 50% of the student’s semester average must come from writing assignments.
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 59 and below
Instructor Grading Scale:
A = 900 - 1,000 points
B = 800 - 899 points
C = 700 - 799 points
D = 600 - 699 points
F = 599 points and below
History 1302 CRN 37677 Spring 2013
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The semester grade will be calculated by:
3 Midterm Exams
1 Student Presentation
1 Final Exam
1 Term Paper
Grades
(150 points each; 450 points of 45%)
(150 points, 15%)
(200 points, 20%)
(200 points, 20%)
The grade of A (100-90) reflects excellence. The A work offers a well-focused and organized discussion appropriate
to the instructor's assignment, reflects critical use of all relevant materials, and demonstrates effective and
formal writing requirements. Work must demonstrate outstanding efforts to identify and use varied and
pertinent evidence from all available sources, to employ those materials critically in the text of the papers, and
to provide error-free citations of those resources.
The grade of B (89-80) represents work beyond satisfactory and indicates the work was completed in an appropriate
and competent manner and, in general, demonstrates a strong attempt at original and critical analysis, writing,
and research. Work must demonstrate beyond satisfactory efforts to identify varied and pertinent evidence
from all available sources. The B paper may contain a number of minor errors of grammar or citation, and its
thesis or its conclusions may be undeveloped or too weakly supported.
The grade of C (79-70) indicates that the work was done in a satisfactory or appropriate fashion and represents the average work
expected for university courses. In order to obtain a C grade, your work must adhere to all of the assignment’s
minimum requirements to include limited to page/word requirements, number of sources, types of sources,
and proper citation method. The work is organized around a central idea with arguments supported by
relevant examples from the available sources. The work is structured into correctly written paragraphs and
sentences. Although fulfilling the assignment, the C work may exhibit one or more weaknesses including, but
not limited to, errors of punctuation and grammar, imprecise or incorrect word use, inaccurate or uncritical
use of materials, occasional inconsistency of organization or development, and lack of direct relevance of the
selected research materials to the topic.
The grade of D (69-60) indicates that the work may have a poorly defined topic or thesis, lacks clear focus or
organization, and contains unsupported generalizations or conclusions. Research support (citations) is
inadequate, not clearly relevant, or improperly documented. A less-than-minimal research effort is evident. D
works fails to obtain the required page or word minimum requirement. The work may also suffer from
numerous or major formal writing errors. D work fails to adhere to any of the assignment’s minimum
requirements.
The grade of F (59-1) indicates that the work is not clearly relevant to the assignment and that its topic and
thesis are poorly focused or defined. The work may display inadequate organization or development,
unsupported generalizations, and nonstandard formal features (including language usage, sentence structure,
and paragraphing). Research support (citations) is absent, or irrelevant to the assignment.
A Final Thought on Grades – Getting good grades is easy. All you have to do is to keep up with the
readings, attend class with a tenacity of purpose, take full and complete notes as I lecture and as you read,
review your notes on a daily basis, take advantage of my office hours, and put forth the required effort on all
class assignments. No one has more control over your grades than yourselves. You will do well (i.e., pass)
when you decide that studying is what is important and if you take the necessary steps to do well. Ultimately,
you are responsible for your success or failure.
History 1302 CRN 37677 Spring 2013
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Study Skills. It is common sense that students must spend AT LEAST two hours studying at home for
every hour spent in the classroom. The PQ4R (Preview, Question, Read, Reflect, Recite, and Review) method
of studying is incredibly efficient. It is taught in study skills classes and can be found here:
http://wps.ablongman.com/ab_slavin_edpsych_8/38/9952/2547950.cw/content/index.html
Course Components:
SEMESTER WRITING ASSIGNMENT.
The semester writing assignment will consist of one analytical essay based on Stephanie Coontz’ book.
This paper must be typed, using standard margins, Times New Roman font size 12, and must be a minimum
of 750 words. More details to be given in class. Student papers MUST BE SUBMITTED on the date
assigned through turnitin.com.
Essays must include an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. A central part of the introduction is a clear
thesis statement that reflects YOUR perspective. Every paragraph must include a topic sentence. The essay
must end with YOUR conclusion. Always provide specific examples and provide a basic chronology.
Keep in mind that these will be YOUR essays, and as such they must reflect YOUR point of view and not be
limited to repeating the perspective of the authors. Essays must reflect a critical analysis of all materials
including in the assignment.
English Composition I is co-requisite to this class, which means that by the time they take History 1302
students are already trained in the writing of logical, articulate essays. The UNC writing center offers
excellent handouts that can help you in preparing your essays. You may find them here:
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/
On writing an articulate thesis statement, see
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/files/2012/09/Thesis-Statements-The-Writing-Center.pdf
On writing topic sentences and articulate paragraphs, see
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/files/2012/09/Paragraphs-The-Writing-Center.pdf
On writing conclusions, see
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/files/2012/09/Conclusions-The-Writing-Center.pdf
On writing historical essays, see
http://history.rutgers.edu/?option=com_content&task=view&id=106&Itemid=147
STUDENT POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS will be 20 to 30 minutes long and will be based on a
chapter from Howard Zinn’s book. Students are encouraged to enhance their presentations with images,
maps, videos, and/or music. Students will submit a HARD COPY of their presentation to the instructor for
grading. Power Point Presentation will follow this format precisely:
1. First Slide: Title Slide
2. Outline. Every bullet on your outline will be title of a slide on your presentation
3. Next Slide: Thesis Statement. Must be one full paragraph in length. On writing an articulate thesis
statement, see
4. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/files/2012/09/Thesis-Statements-The-Writing-Center.pdf
5. Following Slides: Body of your presentation. Every slide must have a title and one or two bullet
points.
6. Conclusion Slide. Must be one full paragraph in length. On writing conclusions, see
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/files/2012/09/Conclusions-The-Writing-Center.pdf
7. Sources Slide. Example:
Sources: Howard Zinn, A People’s History of the United States, 1492-Present. New York: Harper
Perennial Modern Classics, 2005. Chapter 5: “As Long as Grass Grows or Water Runs”
IMPORTANT: Power Point Presentations without a thesis statement will only be eligible for up to 125
points, or a B. Power Point Presentations that include neither a thesis statement nor a conclusion will only be
eligible for up to 110 points, or a C.
History 1302 CRN 37677 Spring 2013
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MIDTERMS AND FINAL EXAMS.
Midterm exams will count for 150 points, or 150% of your final grade. Exams are non-comprehensive.
Exams will consist of a multiple choice, matching, short answer, and/or true or false section (75 points) and
an essay section (75 points). Essays must include a title, a clear thesis statement, every paragraph must begin
with a topic sentence, essay must include a body, and a conclusion. This and all other assignments will be
discussed in detail by the instructor during the course of the semester. Final exam will count for 200 points,
or 200% of your grade.
REVIEW SESSIONS AND STUDY GUIDES.
I do not give review sessions or study guides. Students are expected to study their books and notes every day
in order to prepare for examinations.
MAKE UP EXAMS.
One make up exam will only be given to students who provide documentation that they absolutely had to
miss one of the three make up exams due to extraordinary circumstances such as being hospitalized or
suffering an automobile accident the day of the test. A COMPREHENSIVE make up exam consisting of the
material reviewed during weeks 1 and 12 will be administered the last day of class.
Early Work is always welcome.
Late Work. Assignments are due on my desk at the beginning of class. Assignments turned after the
beginning of class will be automatically considered ONE DAY LATE. Overdue assignments will be
penalized 20 points for every day they are late.
Writing Assistance. If need help in developing your history writing skills, you can 1) take advantage of my
offer to tutor you; 2) Visit the college’s new and improved Writing Center, located in room 230 of the Felix
Morales Building, 713-718-7202, 3) email at se.writingcenter@hccs.edu, or 4) go to
http://m.se.hccs.edu/Users/se.writingcenter/web/
EXTRA CREDIT. Students will have the opportunity to earn up to 50 points, or 5% of their final grade,
through extra credit opportunities which will be announced in class.
CLASS ATTENDANCE.
Attendance is absolutely required in this course. The instructor will take attendance promptly at 7:00 p.m.
every day. Students who are not in their seats by 8:30 p.m. will be counted tardy. Three tardies count as an
absence. Students who are 15 minutes late or more will be counted absent. Students who leave the classroom
early will be counted absent. Any student who accumulates four absences or more will be recommended for
withdrawal.
MISSING CLASS.
Students who miss class are responsible for keeping up with all class assignments and readings. The
instructor will not respond to absent students’ inquiries about the material covered in class. The instructor
will not give away his lecture notes nor will conduct individual lectures or individual review sessions with
students who have been absent from class.
COMMUNICATING WITH THE INSTRUCTOR.
E-mail is the most effective way of communicating with the instructor. Please allow a 24 hour frame for the
instructor to reply. Students must ALWAYS refer to the syllabus for answers to their questions before asking
the instructor. The instructor will not respond to questions that are clearly explained in the syllabus nor will
he explained what he covered in class that day.
History 1302 CRN 37677 Spring 2013
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CLASSROOM CONDUCT.
This class a certain degree of classroom civility – translated; this means you are to conduct yourself
appropriately. As such, the following is prohibited: talking in a disruptive manner, dipping, smoking,
sleeping, reading the newspaper, studying for other classes, fighting, wearing sun glasses or shades, or any
similar behavior that is deemed disruptive or inappropriate by the instructor. Disruptive students who
refuse to listen to the instructor will be removed from the classroom by campus police and will be
dropped from this course. Please refer to the 2011-2012 Student Handbook available through the link
below.
http://www.hccs.edu/hcc/images/home%20page%20images/0-2011-2012%20Student%20handbook.pdf
CAMPUS SECURITY.
Should there ever be a disruption in class, I will contact HCC Police at 713-718-8888 (8888 from a campus
phone).
ELECTRONIC DEVICES.
This class offers you a zero tolerance policy on cell phones, iPhones, iPods, MP3s, PSPs and other similar
devices. Make sure they are turned off and put away during class time. Laptops are not allowed in this class.
Recording lectures is not allowed in this class. If you absolutely have to answer your cell phone due to an
extremely serious situation, please notify the instructor in advance, sit close to the door, put your phone on
vibrate, and exit quietly.
All items explained verbally in class by the instructor are class policy.
This syllabus is meant as a guide and is subject to change at the discretion of
the instructor. If there are any changes made, students will be notified in a
timely manner.
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