Heartland Community College
Social and Business Science
Course Syllabus for Students Spring 2012
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 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: 11:00-12:00 M-R, 5:00-6:00, T
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
GE
Code
Method of Assessment
Distinguish between primary and secondary sources as
the foundation of modern historical scholarship from
1865 to the present.
PS1
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, other
methods
Interpret primary sources critically by analyzing their
historical contexts.
CT3
exams, quizzes, research
paper, group project, other
methods
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, 3-5 pages, 50 points each
1 research paper topic proposal, 25 points
1 research paper status report, 2- 3 pages, 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 Policy
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. All students are allowed three
unexcused absences. Additional absences may be excused at the discretion of the instructor with proper
documentation. College sanctioned activities are excused absences. More than three unexcused
absences will result in a penalty of a loss of 5% of the total possible points in the class.
Note: Because starting class on time is extremely important, 10 minutes late arrival to class 3 times
will count as an unexcused absence. Also, such actions as sleeping, gaming, or texting are
unacceptable during class time and will count as an unexcused absence.
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 mail 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. Everyone
must submit a
research paper by April 11. Late papers will not qualify for full
credit. No student can pass the class without submitting a research paper .
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 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.
HCC Portal
Just a reminder that to access WebCT, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will need to log
into myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu.
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
Jan.18
Course Introduction
Week 2
Jan.23, 25
Reconstruction
Chapter 17 pp. 625-658
Week 3
Jan. 30, Feb. 1
the New South and West
Chapter 18 pp. 659-694
Research Proposal due
Week 4
Feb. 6, 8
the Industrial Age
Chapter 19 pp. 695-724
Chapter 20 pp. 735-770
Week 5
Feb. 13, 15
the Industrial Age (cont.)
Week 6
Feb. 20, 22
the Farmers' Revolt
Chapter 19 pp. 724-734
Research Status Reports due
Student Meetings with Instructor (optional)
Week 7
Feb. 27, 29
Progressivism
Chapter 21 pp. 770-808
Student Meetings with Instructor (optional)
Week 8
Mar.5, 7
Progressivism (cont.)
Midterm Exam March 7
Week 9
Mar. 19, 21
the U.S. Becomes a World Power
Chapter 22 pp.809-828
Week 10
Mar. 26, 28
Progressive Foreign Policy and WWI
Chapter 22 pp. 828-838
Chapter 23 pp. 839-868
*Draft of Research Paper due to Writing Center or Tutoring
Appointment must be completed no later than March 29
Week 11
Apr. 2, 4
the Post War Era and the 1920's
Chapter 23 pp. 866-874
Chapter 24 pp. 875-918
Week 12
Apr. 9, 11
the 1920's (cont.) the Great Depression and the New Deal
Chapter 25 pp. 919-962
*Research papers due Apr. 11
Week 13
Apr.16, 18
1920s and 30s Foreign Policy and WWII
Chapter 26 pp.963-1008
Week 14
Apr. 23, 25
Cold War the Vietnam Era
Chapter 27 pp.1009-1050
Chapter 28 pp.1051-1060, 1086-1096
Chapter 29 pp.1112-1124, 1129-1136, 1143-1148
Chapter 30 pp. 1176-1181
Week 15
Apr. 30, May 2
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
Week 16
May 7, 9
Recent Trends
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, May 16 8:00-9:50