Syllabus: History 1302 United States History since 1877
CRN 81622
Professor Meredith Bragg
Email: meredith.bragg1@hccs.edu
Office hours: 15 minutes before class
Spring, 2012
WLOP C252
TU/TH 8:00 am to 9:30 am
Note: If you do not attend class week one, the HCC System of Record will DROP you
from the course and you will not be allowed to re-register. This is an HCC Policy that
I cannot override.
Students are responsible for printing this syllabus off the Learning Web and bringing it to class each
day. As all dates are subject to change, you may periodically need to make updates to the dates within
the syllabus.
Course Description:
This is a survey of American History from Reconstruction to the modern era. The course fulfills 3 hours
of the 6 hour American History requirement at Texas public universities.
Course Outline:
The course will focus on the development of the economic, social/cultural and political institutions
which have defined the development of the modern United States and its people. The central themes and
topics for this course include Reconstruction; Jim Crow and the American South; the Grant
Administration; the Old West; Immigration; Industrialization and Urbanization; Big Business; the Labor
movement; Populism; Progressivism; Imperialism and the rise of America as a world power; World
War I; the 1920’s; the Great Depression and the New Deal; World War II and the Atomic Bomb; the
50’s; Korea; the Civil Rights movement; the Cold War; Vietnam; LBJ and the Great Society; Watergate;
Ford; Carter; economic, foreign and political policy during the Reagan administration. The class will
end with the end of the Cold War.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Identify important historical themes and use these themes to analyze and evaluate the historical
and contemporary issues;
2. Discuss events, disparate institutions, and issues that shaped the United States;
3. Identify historical individuals who were influential agents in constructing the American
experience and culture;
4. Explain the socio-political and economic experiences of American’s and their decedents;
5. To develop a clear understanding of the main trends and recurring themes in American History.
Required Readings:
Textbook:
Ayers, Edward L, et all, American Passages: A History of the United States Volume II
1
Monograph:
Thomas Bell, Out of this Furnace
Tim O’Brien, The Things They Carried
Primary Source Readings:
You will be assigned primary source reading from time to time. Information from these readings
will appear on your three major exams. All primary source documents that are not available in
your required books will be posted to the Learning Web.
Attendance and Class Rules:
I expect you to attend every class meeting and be on time. Information for the exams will come from
lectures, so good class notes are crucial to your success. If you have 3 absences prior to the withdraw
deadline, I will withdraw you from the course. Come see me if you have extenuating circumstances that
impact you attendance. You will be marked for 1 absence for every 3 tardies. Further, I expect you to
show both the instructor and your fellow students respect during class meetings.
Should you decide to stop attending this class you will receive a grade of FX. FX stands for failure
due to absences. Per HCC policy, there will be no exceptions.
International students, veterans, and those on financial aid should be fully aware of the grade and
minimum hours policies affecting your situation. In particular, pay attention to the rules regarding
course withdrawals (W grades). Once a “W” is officially recorded it cannot be changed to a grade
regardless of circumstance.
Examinations and Grading:
There will be three major examinations covering lecture and classroom related material each worth 25
points.
There will be two book tests each worth 12.5 points. Book tests are mandatory. NOTE: You cannot
pass this course if you fail to take either book test. You must take both. You may use one 3x5 note
card with your handwritten notes on it for each book test. If it is not handwritten (no copies, shrink
copies, or computer generated cards), you will not be able to use it on the test.
Grading weight and format:
Exam I – 25 pts (Short answer) Feb 16th (date subject to change)
Exam II – 25 pts (Short answer) March 8th (date subject to change)
Book Test I – 12.5 pts Out of this Furnace (Short answer) March 20th (date subject to change)
Book Test II – 12.5 pts The Things They Carried (Short Answer) April 12th (date subject to change)
Exam III – 25 pts (Short answer) May 10th regular class time per HCC Final Schedule
Final Average – your accumulated points out of 100 will be your average for the class.
Figuring percentage grades during the semester:
Exams – multiply your score for one exam by 4 to figure your percentage grade for that exam
Book Tests – multiply your score for one book test by 8 to figure your percentage grade for that
book test
2
Tests must be taken when scheduled. If you miss a test you will have to take the make-up exam which is
given on the last day of class at a time convenient for the instructor. Failure to take the make-up exam
will result in a grade of 0 for that test. You are only allowed to make-up one test. You must contact
the instructor via email as soon as you are aware that you will be missing the exam. You must
have an excuse and you must get the excuse approved by the instructor to take a make-up exam.
HCCS Grading System:
A = Excellent 90-100 B = Good 80-89 C =70-79 D = 60 - 69 F = Failing below 60
Never assume that I shall "give" you a grade. Academic integrity is important. Your final grade is the
letter equivalent of the numeric average which you earn.
Grade Sheet: Use this grade chart to keep track of your grades
Exam Name
Points
Available
Percentage Points
of grade
Earned
(PE)
Percentage
based on
Points Earned
Exam I
25
25%
=PE*4
Exam II
25
25%
=PE*4
Book Test I
12.5
12.5%
=PE*8
Book Test II
12.5
12.5%
=PE*8
Exam III (Final)
25
25%
=PE*4
Final Grade
100
100%
Sum of PE
N/A
=
EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to
improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to answer a short online
survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be
made available to your professors and division chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Look for
the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student System online near the end of the term.
The Learning Web:
You are responsible for all information posted on the learning web. We will discuss how to use it on the
first day of class. See me if you are having any problems retrieving information from the Learning Web.
To access your class go to www.hccs.edu, click on Southwest, and then the Learning Web. At this point,
the website will prompt you to find your professor, put in my name as Meredith Bragg. You will then be
directed to my page. Find your course 1302. When you click on your course you will find all
3
PowerPoint’s, lecture notes and links to outside reading assignments as well as examination review
sheets. Items will be posted as we progress through the course. Note that I will not post materials for
every lecture. It Is Imperative that you check the Learning Web before every class meeting.
Mobile Technology:
Phones and PDAs:
All telephones, blackberries, iPhones, Blootooth technology and other potentially distracting
devices must be turned off and put away before the start of class. Important calls must be taken
outside of the classroom (with my expressed permission given prior to the start of class). NO
electronic devices are allowed in the classroom during examinations. DO NOT TEXT
MESSAGE DURING CLASS!! It is rude to your classmates as well as the instructor.
Laptops:
You may use a laptop to take class notes only. Any use of wireless technology (i.e., surfing the
web, checking email, Facebook, games, etc) will result in PERMANENT forfeiture of your
classroom computing privileges.
Policy Regarding Academic Honesty:
All Houston Community College System students are required to exercise academic honesty in
completion of all tests, quizzes, and assignments. Penalties for academic dishonesty (cheating on a test,
plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on an assignment) may include, a grade of 0 or F for the
particular test or assignment, failure in te course, and/or recommendation for probation or dismissal
from the college system.
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited by HCCS policy and the
rules of this class.
Plagiarism: the use of the ideas or words of another person (either in whole or in part) without
crediting the source. Plagiarism amounts to the theft of another person’s work and its
appropriation as one’s own.
Cheating: involves fraud and deception for the purpose of violating legitimate testing rules.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to: copying from another student’s test paper; using
materials not authorized by the instructor during a test; collaborating with another student during
a test; knowingly using, buying, or selling unadministered test materials.
Any questions about academic dishonesty should be referred to the Student Conduct section of the
College System catalogue. Violations of this policy will result in failure of the assignment and possible
automatic failure of the course and/or expulsion from the institution.
Disability Policy:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc) who
needs to arrange reasonable accommodations for the classroom and/or testing must contact the
appropriate HCC Disability Support Service (DSS) Counselor at the beginning of each semester.
Faculty is authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services
4
Office. See website: http://www.hccs.edu/students/disability/accom.htm#steps or contact SW ADA
counselor:
Dr. Becky A. Hauri, Southwest College, 5407 Gulfton, Houston, Texas 77081
Phone: 713-718-7909; Fax: 713-718-7781; TTY: 713-718-7909
Any student with a disability certified by the Southwest College Disability Counselor will receive
appropriate accommodations in this class. Please make sure to consult me immediately and bring your
ADA documentation so I can ensure you have what you need.
Course Repeat Statement:
NOTICE: Students who take a course for the third time or more must now pay significant tuition
increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. At HCC it is an additional $50.00
per credit hour. If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades,
confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading and writing
homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and opportunities for tutoring or other
assistance that might be available.
5
Academic Calendar:
Topics and dates are subject to change.
Unit One (American Passages: Chapters 16 - 21 )
Jan 17th – Introduction to History 1302
Jan 19th Chapter 16 - Chapter 16 - Reconstruction: It’s Rise and Fall, 1865-1877
Jan 24th – Chapter 17- An Economy Transformed: The Rise of Big Business, 1877-1887
Jan 31st Chapter 18 – Urban Growth and Farm Protest, 1887-1993
Feb 2nd – Chapter 19 – A Troubled Nation Expands Outward, 1893-1901
Feb 7th – Chapter 20 – Theodore Roosevelt and Progressive Reforms, 1901-1909
Feb 9th – Chapter 21 – Progressivism at High Tide, 1909-1914
Feb 14th – Review
Feb 16th – Exam I
Unit Two (American Passages: Chapters 22 -25 )
Feb 21st– Chapter 22 – Over There and Over Here: The Impact of World War I, 1919-1921
Feb 23rd – Chapter 23- The Age of Jazz and Mass Culture
Feb 28th – Chapter 24 – The Great Depression
March 1st – Chapter 25 – The New Deal, 1933-1939
March 6th –Review
March 8th – Exam II
March 12-16th – Spring Break – Read and Study
March 20th – Book Test I- Thomas Bell, Out of this Furnace
Unit Three (American Passages: Chapters 26 - 31)
March 22nd – Chapter 26 – The Second World War, 1939-1945
March 27th – Chapter 27- Postwar America, 1946-1952
March 29th – Chapter 28 – The Eisenhower Years, 1953-1960
March 29th – last day to withdraw
April 3rd – Chapter 28 – The Eisenhower Years, 1953-1960
April 5th – Chapter 29 - The Turbulent Years, 1960-1968
April 10th – Chapter 29 - The Turbulent Years, 1960-1968
April 12th – Book Test II – The Things They Carried
April 17th – Chapter 30 – Crisis of Confidence, 1969-1980
April 19th – Chapter 30 – Crisis of Confidence, 1969-1980
April 24th – End of the Cold War
May 1st – Review for Final
May 3rd – Make-up exams
May 10th – Final Exam per HCC Spring 2012 Final Exam Schedule
Good luck! I look forward to a great semester. Welcome to U.S. History!
6