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AMH 2020
HISTORY OF THE U.S. FROM 1877
FALL SEMESTER 2011 (2011-1)
REF #651161 ROOM 1263
INSTRUCTOR: Paul Tisevich, Associate Professor
OFFICE: Room 1116-2 (in Library at InterAmerican Campus)
PHONE: 305-237-6088
E-MAIL: ptisevic@mdc.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm at IAC; other days/times by
appointment. Also, on most Saturdays, before and after class as needed.
COURSE DESCRIPTION & GOALS:
This course surveys the major political, social, economic, military, and diplomatic trends
that have shaped the United States since the industrial revolution. It is an introductory
course designed to expose students to the major themes, interpretations, and events that
have shaped modern America. The course will emphasize the events of the last eighty
years, and their influence on today’s world.
The major objectives of the class are to familiarize students with the major trends and
ideological forces that have shaped the United States since the late 19th century; to
enable students to understand the interplay between the past and the present; to introduce
students to the dynamic nature of history by acquainting them with important historical
controversies and recent interpretations; and to develop skills in analysis and critical
thinking through the interpretation of historical evidence. This class will also encourage
students to take an active interest in current domestic and foreign issues to develop the
understanding necessary for the exercise of responsible citizenship.
Emphasis will be on historical trends and concepts in modern American History and how
they relate to and interact with the wider world, rather than the memorization of a list of
names and dates.
TEXTBOOK: Alan Brinkley: The Unfinished Nation, Vol. II, 6th Edition, 2010
ISBN # 978-0-07-728636-1
Website accompanying text:
http://mhhe.com/dbm/rdr.pl?p=100452200099&a=4&c=59993&s=1
OTHER REQUIRED MATERIAL: As directed.
Learning Outcomes
AMH 2020 will foster the following learning outcomes as formulated by the
college to facilitate the acquisition of fundamental knowledge and skills and the
development of attitudes that foster effective citizenship and life-long learning.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning.
Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical
perspectives.
6. Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social
responsibilities.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
8. Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
9. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10. Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the
environment.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
All students are required to keep up with reading assignments as listed and are
responsible for the content of lectures, film, handouts, emails or other material presented
or discussed in class. Textbook assignments must be read BEFORE class lectures and
discussions. Also, be sure that you have a College email address, as I will be sending you
information by that method. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to reasonable
accommodations. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any
accommodations needed for the course.
Attendance is mandatory and essential to satisfactorily completing the course, especially
given the limited number of meetings (9 total) available in the Fall Semester mini-term.
You are expected to arrive punctually at the designated time of class. Points will be
deducted for absences and lateness. Students should notify the instructor of any planned
absences; this still does not relieve you of the obligation to attend class.
Withdrawal from a course is not encouraged and should be considered as a last
alternative. You are responsible for filling out the withdrawal card and turning it in to the
Registration Office before the deadline. If you do not withdraw and miss more than 2
classes, you may be purged from the roles. This means, that I may drop you from the
class. NOTE: Missing more than two classes may result in your failing the course.
Electronic devices for personal use such as ipods, MP3 players, and cellular phones
should not be used in the classroom. Please turn off all gadgets before entering the
classroom. Students failing to turn off these electronic devices will be asked to leave the
room. Continual failure to do so may result in the loss of points for non- participation and
attendance. Students who bring in laptops to take notes MUST sit in the front rows of the
classroom. Laptops must ONLY be used for purposes of this class – no doing emails,
chatting, surfing, etc. Doing so will result in you being considered absent for the rest of
the class that day.
This class demands your complete attention and as in all Miami Dade College classes,
courteous college behavior is expected at all times.. Please have consideration for your
fellow classmates and Professor and refrain from doing things that would disturb the
learning environment of the class. Arriving for class more than 15 minutes late or leaving
class early will be counted as absence time, as will sleeping. Students are encouraged to
meet with instructor regarding any concerns they may have in relation to the class. Please
do not hesitate to discuss any issues or questions that may arise, in person, by phone, or
through e-mail.
GRADING: All work must be completed and turned in by the due date. No work will be
accepted past the due date unless approved by the instructor. (Note: There will be no
make ups of pop quizzes). There will be three take-home essay exams, one
presentation, an Internet exercise, and a film critique. The following will be reflected in
the final grade: Because of the brevity of the Mini-Term Semester, it will seem that there
is a lot of work required of you, but you must remember that the College requires the
same level of assignments in a 12 week class as would be given in one lasting 16 weeks.
The key to success is to stay on schedule with the work and do not get behind, as you
may never catch up.
Assignments
number
points each
Essay exams
three
60
Presentation
one
80
Film Critique
one
60
Internet exercise
one
60
Attendance and Participation
(will include pop quizzes and reflections)
TOTAL
total points
180
80
60
60
120
500
(Note: Extra credit assignment(s) MAY be made available during the Semester.)
A = 450-500 of 500 total points
B = 400-449 of 500total points
C = 350-399 of 500total points
D = 300-349 of 500total points
F = 0-299 of 500 total points
The three exams are take-home essay exams.
For the presentations, film critiques, Internet exercise, and possible extra-credits, detailed
instructions will be provided.
CALENDAR
Class 1
October 1
Introduction; Syllabus
Themes: Industrialization, Immigration, The Rise of Cities
Readings: Chapters 16, 17, 18
Class 2
October 8
Themes: Imperial America; The Great War
Readings: Chapters 19, 20, 21
Essay exam 1
Class 3
October 15
Themes: The Roaring Twenties; The Great Depression; The New Deal;
Readings: Chapters 22, 23, 24
Essay exam 1 due
Class 4
October 22
Themes: The Rise of the Dictators and the beginning of World War II
Readings: Chapter 25
Class 5
October 29
Themes: World War II
Readings: Chapter 26
Essay exam 2
Class 6
November 5
Themes: The Cold War; The Fifties
Readings: Chapters 27, 28
Internet Exercise; Essay exam 2 due
November 12 No class; Veteran’s Day holiday
Class 7
Themes: The Sixties: The Civil Rights Movement; The Counterculture
November 19 Readings: Chapter 28, 29
Essay exam 3; Internet Exercise due
November 26 No class; Thanksgiving Holiday
Class 8
December 3
Themes: Vietnam; the Seventies
Readings: Chapters 29, 30
Essay exam 3 due
Class 9
Themes: Recent History
December 10 Readings: Chapters 31, 32
Film Critiques due
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Please read the section in your Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Handbook (located
in the Current Students page) regarding this issue. Any form of academic dishonesty,
including plagiarism, will result in an “F” for that test or assignment.
COURSE COMPETENCIES
COMPETENCE I By the end of the term, the student will demonstrate his/her
knowledge of the location of the world’s continents, oceans, seas, major rivers and
mountain ranges. Also, he/she will demonstrate geographical knowledge of North
America.
COMPETENCE II By the end of the term, the student will demonstrate an ability to
categorize and relate historical developments sequentially. He/she will show proficiency
by earning satisfactory grades on a series of tests whose answers elicit such knowledge.
COMPETENCE III Cause and effect: By the end of the term, the student will
demonstrate an ability to recognize and to analyze how it is that certain factors coalesced
and rendered change in the course of human events; how that change causes or came to
be influenced by other factors.
COMPETENCE IV Recognition of Legacy: By the end of the term, the student will
demonstrate awareness and an understanding of the principal historical inheritances
provided by those who have gone before. This includes study in the fields of philosophy,
ethics, religion, politics, economics, science, diplomacy, architecture, literature, sculpture
and warfare.
COMPETENCE V Terminology: By the end of the term, the student will demonstrate
knowledge and understanding of the terminology related to ideological, political,
economic, artistic and sociological trends, as well as those of organizations, movements,
and/or individuals which are identified with such process.
Let’s make this course a successful one, by participating in class discussions. Your
constructive opinions are welcomed.
This syllabus is tentative & may be subject to change.
9/30/2011