Instructor Information

Name: Dr. Theodore P. Syder

Department: Social Sciences Department

Office location / Hours: Room 2256/14

Telephone: (305) 237 – 1865

Email: tsyder@mdc.edu
OFFICE HOURS
4:30 P.M.– 5:30 P.M.
M & W
Course Information

Course Title: AMH 2020 / U.S. HISTORY FROM 1865

Ref. Number: 505134

Schedule: W: 5:40 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Room # 1219

Term: SUMMER 2008-3/4
ROOM: 1219

Credits: 3
 Text Book: Unfinished Nation (5 th Ed.). (Vol. II: FROM 1865). Alan Brinkley.
Columbia University, N.Y. 2008…
Course Description
This course looks at American history from a global perspective. It examines the involvement of America in world affairs and the successes and failures that have resulted from America’s foreign policies. The purpose of the course is to strengthen students’ appreciation for cultural diversity, ethnic plurality, and interdisciplinary pedagogy.
Course Objective
The objective of this course is to ensure that students develop the capacity to ably demonstrate the following:
 Research, analyze, organize, interpret, and report data from a myriad of sources in a scholarly manner
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
Demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast information using graphs, tables, critical writing, organizational charts, etc.

Conduct class debates to show evidence of critical thinking using supporting arguments for and against social, historical, ethical, political, economic, and cultural issues from various disciplines

Evaluate historical events and draw logical conclusions from the data or scenario given

Engage in problem-solving exercises to develop social, analytical, and critical thinking skills
Instructional Approach / Strategies

Assigned reading for class discussions and content mastery
 Research assignment for supplemental data for students’ enrichment and enhancement

Collaborative learning exercises

Classroom Assessment Techniques (CATS)

Power point technology

Lectures

Student Presentations using power point technology

Research paper

Tests (multiple Choice and Essay)
Course Competencies
At the completion of this survey course, students will be able to ably and satisfactorily perform the following competencies:
1.
Write a scholarly research paper following correctly the writing requirements of the American Psychological Association (APA) manual.
2.
Apply relevant information from a diverse group of disciplines to solve problems.
3.
Use graphs, charts, tables, maps, etc. to demonstrate conceptualization and mastery of course content.
4.
Demonstrate use of multi-media technology to make power point presentations and as a database for research projects.
5.
Critically examine their written assignments for grammatical errors.
6.
Assess their meta-cognitive approach to learning and make the necessary adjustments by means of classroom assessment techniques (CATS).
7.
Demonstrate their transcendence of the national boundaries of American history by infusing relevant global, historical events in their written and oral presentations.
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General Education Outcomes
As graduates of Miami Dade College, students will be able to perform all or most of the General Education Outcomes below.
Outcomes specific to this course are #1, #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7.
1.
Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
2.
Use quantitative analytical skills to evaluate and process numerical data.
3.
Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning
4.
Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
5.
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historic 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 and appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities.
10.
Describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.
Course Requirements
 Assigned Textbook
 Punctuality
 Class Participation
 Assignments must be turned on due date or earlier, but not later
 Students who drop course must inform registration so that your records can be updated
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Course Evaluation / Grading Policy / Assessment Methods
 CASE STUDY # 1

CASE STUDY # 2
20%
20%

FIRST ASSESSMENT 25%
 ATTENDANCE 10%

FINAL ASSESSMENT 25%

Total 100%
6/29/09
7/08/09
7/15/09
7/29/09
Grade Distribution Points Averages Final Grade
A
B
C
D
F
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
3.5 – 4.0
3.0 – 3.4
2.5 – 2.9
2.0 – 2.4
0.0 – 1.9
A
B
C
D
F
Course / Department Policies
 Accumulation of TWO unexcused absences equals one grade deduction. A grade deduction is non-negotiable.
 Students who are 15 minutes late to class will be marked as absent and will not be allowed to attend class.
 LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Assignments, however, can be submitted earlier than the due date.
 Research-based case studies must be properly documented and supported.
 Make-up Exams will only be given if serious illness results.
 Cell phones must be turned off before entering the classroom.
 Students are encouraged to network with other students so that they may have an informed source for any missed assignment(s) or important information.
 No extra assignments will be given to help a student improve his or her grade standing.
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Assigned Reading
Reconstruction and…
The Conquest…West
Industrial Supremacy
The Age of the City
From Stalemate…
The Imperial Rep…
Pages
(pp. 393 – 424)
(pp. 425 – 452)
(pp. 453 – 507)
“
(pp. 511 – 551)
(pp. 552 – 577)
The Rise…Progressivism
The Battle…Reform (pp. 581 – 624)
America…Great War “
The New Era
The Great Depression
(pp. 627 – 675)
“
Completion Date
6/22/09
6/24/09
6/29/09
7/01/09
7/06/09
7/08/09
7/13/09
The New Deal
The Global Crisis
America…At War
(pp. 679 – 721)
“
(pp. 725 – 752)
7/15/09
7/20/09
The Cold War
The Affluent Society
(pp. 755 – 782)
(pp. 785 – 815)
7/22/09
7/27/09
The Ordeal…Liberalism (pp. 819 – 847) 7/29/09
The Crisis of Authority
The Age…to…Reagan
(pp. 851 – 884)
(pp. 887 – 914)
CASE
CASE
Suggested Reading
Chomsky, N. (1999). Latin America from colonization to globalization. New
York: Ocean Press.
Clark, R. (1994). The fire this time: U.S. war crimes in the gulf. New York:
Thunder’s Mouth Press.
Diamond, J. (1999). Guns, germs, and steel: The fates of human societies. New
York: W. W. Norton.
Hyman, M. (1994). Blacks before America. New Jersey: Africa World Press,
Inc.
Klein, H. S. (1986). African slavery in Latin America and the Caribbean. New
York: Oxford University Press.
Kush, I. K. (1999). What they never told you in history class. Vol. I. New
York: A & B Publishers.
Loewen, J. W. ( 1995). Lies my teacher told me. New York: Touchstone.
Loewen, J. W. (1999). Lies across America: What our historic sites get wrong.
New York: Touchstone.
Pepper, W. (2003). An act of state: The execution of Martin Luther King. New
York: Verso.
5

Robinson, R. (2000). The debt: What America owes to blacks. New York:
Dutton.
Weigley, R. F. (2000). A great Civil War: A military and political history 1861-
1865. Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.
Zacks, R. (1997). An underground education. New York: Doubleday.
Zinn, H. (2003). A people’s history of the United States. New York:
Harperperennial.
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