History of the United States, 20th Century (HIST 17C)
Winter 2012
Instructor: Mary Jo Ignoffo
ignoffomaryjo@deanza.edu
Objectives:
This class seeks to broaden our knowledge, understanding and perception of twentieth-century America so that
we can intelligently engage in discussion, writing, and thinking about topics related to that period of time.
Overview:
Our journey through this period in history begins with the Progressive Movement and the Presidency of
Theodore Roosevelt. It continues with World War I, women’s suffrage and the 1920s, President Franklin
Roosevelt’s New Deal, the Great Depression, and World War II. Hallmarks of the second half of the twentieth
century include the Korean and Cold wars, the civil rights movement, political assassinations, the Vietnam War,
and the Presidencies of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. Politics of the century will be presented as a
backdrop to social, cultural, and economic issues facing the nation.
Required Text: Please bring text book to every class.
Roark, et al., The American Promise, A History of the United States,, fourth edition, Volume C: from 1900.
Various online readings will be assigned, usually from primary source documents. Please use the publisher’s
website link to this textbook as a study guide: www.bedfordstmartins.com/roark
Exams:
Two mid-term examinations worth 75 points each: (25 objective questions worth 2 points each and one essay
question worth 25 points each). Final Exam: worth 150 points (50 objective questions worth 2 points each and
two essay questions worth 25 points each). For this class you will need three Scantrons and standard notebook
paper for in-class writings.
Assignments:
Writing: periodically I will submit a quotation or law or question for your written consideration. Each will be
worth 10 points. Overall, you can expect to write approximately 2,500 words (or ten pages) during this course.
Some written assignments may be during class. There is no make-up for this assignment. If you are not in
class, you will not earn the points.
Grading Policy:
I do not grade on a curve. Grading with be based your total points accumulated from exams, assignments,
participation and extra credit. The ranges are:
A+ =
A=
A- =
100-98%
97-93%
92-90%
B+ =
B=
B- =
89-88%
87-83%
82-80%
C+ = 79-78%
C = 77-70%
D+ = 69-68%
D = 67-63%
D- = 62-60%
F (fail) = 59% & below
Attendance:
Attendance is expected and required. Since our class meets twice a week, if you miss a class it is comparable to
missing two in another. Absences may result in your missing an in-class writing or class participation. Neither
can be made up.
Policies:
Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and will be handled as directed in the De Anza College Catalog.
Classroom behavior must be respectful, and I reserve the right to drop a student who is disruptive to a learning
environment. No lap tops may be open during class. No cell phone or pagers may sound, and texting may be
perceived as cheating and be handled as such.
Ignoffo, 17C Green Sheet
Page 2 of 3
Date
Topic
Reading
9-Jan
Introduction to Class
Progressivism
Ch. 21 pp 756-769
11-Jan
Progressivism
18-Jan
World War I
23-Jan
World War I
25-Jan
1920s to the Great Depression
30-Jan
1920s to the Great Depression
01-Feb
New Deal
06-Feb
New Deal
08-Feb
World War II
13-Feb
World War II
15-Feb
Cold War and Korean War
22-Feb
Cold War and Korean War
27-Feb
1950s
29-Feb
Civil Rights Movement
05-Mar
Vietnam War
07-Mar
Vietnam War
12-Mar
Reform and Rebellion
14-Mar
Reform and Rebellion
19-Mar
Nixon and Watergate
21-Mar
Reagan Conservatism
26-Mar
End of the Cold War
Review and Reflection:
Meaning and Understanding of
the twentieth century in the
US.
Final Exam
29-Mar
Assignment/Exam
Ch. 22 pp 787-823
Ch. 23 pp. 825-861
MID-TERM EXAM
Ch. 24 pp. 863-901
Ch. 25 pp.903-945
Ch. 26 pp. 947-981
Ch. 27 pp. 983-1019
MID-TERM EXAM
Ch. 29 pp.1063-1099
Ch. 28 pp.1021-1061
Ch. 30 pp. 1101-1139
Ch. 31 1141-1151
FINAL EXAM
Ignoffo, 17C Green Sheet
Page 3 of 3