Heartland Community College
Social and Business Science
Course Syllabus for Students Fall 2011
Course Prefix and Number: HIST 136
Course Title: History of the U.S. Since 1865
Section : 01
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Monday, Wednesday 9:30-10:45
Introduction:
This course will provide knowledge of the people and events that have transformed the United
States in the last century and is essential to an understanding of contemporary American society
and the issues confronting the nation. American History courses not only encourage an interest
in the nation's past as well as an understanding of our society’s cultural and ethnic background,
but also aid students in exercising current responsibilities of citizenship in the world community.
Catalog Description:
This course covers the major political, social, economic and diplomatic trends that have shaped
the United States from the end of the Reconstruction to the present.
Prerequisite: Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, ENGL 101 or its equivalent.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Dr. Scott W. Rager
Phone number to contact instructor: 268-8585, e-mail: scott.rager@heartland.edu
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2110
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: MW: 1:00-2:00; TTR: 11:00-12:00;
F: 10:00-11:00
Textbook:
Required:
Liberty, Equality, Power, Compact Fifth Edition, Vol. 2, Murrin Et. Al,
Harcourt Brace Publisher.
Major Problems in US History, Vol. 2, Hoffman and Gjerde, WadsworthCengage.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
This course fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Social Sciences required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer
information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for
more information.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Learning Outcome
General
Education
Outcomes
Range of Assessment
Methods
Distinguish between primary and secondary sources as PS1
the foundation of modern historical scholarship from
1865 to the present.
exams, quizzes,
research paper, group
project, other methods
Interpret primary sources critically by analyzing their
historical contexts.
exams, quizzes,
research paper, group
project, other methods
CT3
Formulate historical interpretations, both in discussion CO4
and in writing, and defend them critically with reference
to primary and secondary sources.
exams, quizzes,
research paper, group
project, oral report,
other methods
Incorporate into historical interpretations, both in
CT3
discussion and in writing, an understanding of historical
causation reflecting a) knowledge of important figures
and events and their chronological relationship to each
other and b) an awareness of the contingent
relationships.
Acquire at one and the same time a comprehension of DI3
diverse cultures and shared humanity, as evidenced both
orally and in writing.
Exams, quizzes,
research paper, group
project, oral report,
other methods
exams, quizzes,
research paper, group
project, oral report,
other methods
Topic Outline for the Course:
The following topics are to be covered during the instructional process:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Reconstruction
Closing of the Frontier and Western Expansion
Industrialization and Its Impact
Gilded Age Politics, 1876-1896
Overseas Empire and Expansionism
Progressive Era, 1900-1917
World War I
Jazz Age: The 1920’s
The Great Depression and New Deal
Isolationism to Involvement: World War II
Cold War and McCarthyism
Eisenhower Era, Civil Rights and the 1950’s
The 1960’s: Kennedy, Johnson and Vietnam
Nixon through Carter
Reagan through Bush: Recent Trends
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
1 midterm exam 100 points
1 final exam 150 points
2 quizzes, 50 points each
2 document discussion assignments, 50 points each
1 research paper topic proposal, 25 points
1 research paper status report, 50 points
1 research paper, 8-10 pages, 100 points
625 Points total:
90% 625-562=A
80% 561-500=B
70% 499-437=C
60% 436-375=D
Below 60% = F
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes and participate meaningfully in the activities of
each class session. Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. Outstanding attendance as
well as participation will impact the determination of borderline final grades.
Incompletes
An incomplete may be given at the instructor’s discretion, if the student, by the withdrawal date,
can reasonably be expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified
by extreme circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate
family) See College Catalog for further information.
Extra-Credit: No extra credit is anticipated for this class.
Make-up of Tests and Assignments:
All make-ups are granted at the discretion of the instructor and will be determined according to
the individual merits of the case. Students are required to contact the instructor by email or
by phone within 24 hours after a quiz or an exam is missed to make arrangements for a
make-up at the testing center. Failure to follow this policy will result in grade penalties.
Deadlines: Assignments received late will be penalized. Please note: All students must
complete a research paper in order to pass this class.
Required Reading and Writing: This course requires approximately 30-40 pages of reading
per session or 500 per semester. A minimum of 15 pages of college level writing is required in
this course. Writing assignments include an 8-10 page research paper, essays on exams,
discussion write-ups and other projects as deemed appropriate by the instructor.
Specifications for written materials:
Written materials will be formatted exactly as they are in English classes, ie standard MLA
format.
Student Conduct: Inappropriate behavior in the classroom will not be tolerated by the
instructor. At all times students should endeavor to conduct themselves in an honest and mature
manner. Cell phones should be turned off upon entering class. Absolutely no use of cell
phones is allowed, including texting, during class time. Please also note that no food or
beverages with the exception of water are allowed in the classroom.
Syllabi Disclaimer: Changes to the Course Calendar may be made during the course of the
class. This is sometimes unavoidable and students will be notified in class should changes
become necessary.
Course Calendar
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in
the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web
site. Go to http://www.heartland.edu/classCancellations/ to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might
contain a message from the instructor.
Dates for class topics/reading/exams.
Note: Lecture topics are in bold face type; the pages listed after each chapter are those
corresponding to the lecture topic. Students are expected to read the chapters in the textbook
completely.
Date
Topic
Week 1
Aug. 22, 24
Course Introduction, Reconstruction
Chapter 17 pp. 625-658
Week 2
Aug. 29, 31
Reconstruction (cont.)
Week 3
Sept. 7
The New South and West
Chapter 18 pp. 695-724
Research Topic due Sept.7
Week 4
Sept. 12, 14
The Industrial Age
Chapter 19 pp. 695-724
Chapter 20 pp. 735-770
Week 5
Sept. 19, 21
The Industrial Age (cont.)
Chapter 19 pp. 724-734
Week 6
Sept. 26, 28
The Farmers' Revolt
Chapter 19 pp. 724-734
Research Paper Status Reports due Sept. 26
Student Meetings with Instructor
Week 7
Oct. 3, 5
Progressivism
Chapter 21 pp. 770-808
Student Meetings with Instructor
Week 8
Oct.10, 12
Progressivism (cont.)
Week 9
Oct. 17, 19
the U.S. Becomes a World Power
Chapter 22 pp.809-828
Week 10
Oct. 24, 26
Progressive Foreign Policy and WWI
Chapter 22 pp. 828-838
Chapter 23 pp. 839-868
Midterm Exam Oct. 12
In order to qualify to take the Midterm Exam,
1. a Research Paper Status Report must
have been submitted and
2. the student must have met
with the instructor
Draft of Research Paper due to Writing or
Tutoring Services.
Appointment must be completed no later than
Oct. 28.
Week 11
Oct. 31, Nov. 2
The Post War Era and the 1920's
Chapter 23 pp. 866-874
Chapter 24 pp. 875-918
Week 12
Nov. 7, 9
the 1920's (cont.) the Great Depression and
the New Deal
Chapter 25 pp. 919-962
Research papers due Nov. 9
Week 13
Nov. 14, 16
The New Deal (Cont)
Week 14
Nov. 21
1920s and 30s Foreign Policy and WWII
Chapter 26 pp.963-1008
Chapter 27 pp.1009-1050
Chapter 28 pp.1051-1060, 1086-1096
Chapter 29 pp.1112-1124, 1132-1136, 1143-1148
Chapter 30 pp. 1176-1181
Week 15
Nov. 28, 30
Cold War, the Vietnam Era
Chapter 27 pp.1009-1050
Chapter 28 pp.1051-1060, 1086-1096
Chapter 29 pp.1112-1124, 1132-1136, 1143-1148
Chapter 30 pp. 1176-1181
Week 16
Dec. 5, 7
The Civil Rights Movement
Chapter 27 pp. 1038-1042
Chapter 28 pp. 1076-1082, 1096-1099
Chapter 29 pp. 1103-1112, 1124-1129
Chapter 30 pp. 1192-1193
Recent Trends: The U.S. and the Middle East
Chapter 28 pp. 1058-1059
Chapter 30 pp. 1178-1179, 1183-1185
Chapter 32 pp.1238-1240, 1244-1249, 1253-1254
Week 17
Final Exam
Wednesday, December 14, 8-9:50