HISTORY 251 – AMERICAN HISTORY SINCE 1865
University of Alberta, Winter Term 2014
Professor Susan L. Smith
Class Times:
MWF 11:00-11:50, Earth Sciences (ESB) 2-36
Office Hours:
Department of History and Classics
Mondays, 1:00-3:00, Tory Bldg. 2-20
[or by appointment]
E-mail:
Susan.L.Smith@ualberta.ca
[please put "HIST 251" on your message]
Phone:
780-492-2576
This course surveys the history of the United States from the Civil War through the twentieth
century. It examines how the social and political context shaped American identity, citizenship,
political rights, and popular culture. It is a lecture course with some classroom discussion of the
assigned primary documents, films, and historical essays.
Course Objectives:
1) learn key concepts, developments, and events in the history of the United States of America
2) learn to think historically and become attentive to the historical context in order to better
understand the creation of the American nation
3) learn the historian’s craft through working with primary documents and historical essays
TEXTBOOKS
1) Required: Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman, Edward Blum, and Jon Gjerde, Major Problems in
American History, Volume 2: Since 1865, 3nd edition (2012)
2) Recommended: Jacqueline Jones et al, Created Equal: A History of the United States,
Volume 2: From 1865, Brief 3rd Edition, (2011)
[Both texts are available for purchase at the University Bookstore.]
MOODLE:
The full course outline, paper proposal, paper assignment, and other resources will be posted on
Moodle through the U of A eClass link. [I do not post lecture notes (outlines, questions).] Use
your ccid (campus computing id) and password to access them: https://eclass.srv.ualberta.ca
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Paper Proposal
Feb.
3
Midterm Exam
Feb.
10
Research Paper
March 17
Final Exam
April 17
[not marked but topic noted in grade book]
30%
30%
40%
All marks will be calculated on the university’s letter grading system and four-point scale of
numerical equivalents. This course is not marked on a curve.
MIDTERM EXAM AND FINAL EXAM: The midterm examination and final examination
will require you to answer essay questions. Study questions will be provided throughout the
course in class. Previous exams are in the Student’s Union Exam Registry.
RESEARCH PAPER: You are required to write a 5-page history essay exploring a specific
person, topic or theme in American history since 1865. You will receive an assignment sheet in
class. Papers must be typed, double-spaced, with page numbers, footnotes, and bibliography.
Late papers will be penalized one grading step for each day late [ie: B- becomes C+]. Please do
not submit research papers as email attachments.
Writing Assistance, Learning Resources, and Exam Strategies:
1) Student Success Centre, 2-300 Students’ Union Building (SUB), 780-492-2682, email: success@ualberta.ca or
visit: http://www.studentsuccess.ualberta.ca/
2) Centre for Writers, 780-492-2639, e-mail: centreforwriters@ualberta.ca, 1-42 Assiniboia Hall, website:
http://www.c4w.arts.ualberta.ca/
Specialized Support and Disability Services: Students who require accommodations in this course due to a
disability affecting mobility, vision, hearing, learning, or mental or physical health are advised to discuss their needs
with Specialized Support and Disability Services, 2-800 Students’ Union building, http://www.ssds.ualberta.ca/
University Code of Student Behaviour:
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are
expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University
in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student
Behaviour (online at http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/ and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in
suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic
dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.” (GFC 29 Sep 2003)
Plagiarism:
“No Student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the Student’s own in any
academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of
study.”
Cheating:
“No Student shall in the course of an examination, obtain or attempt to obtain information from another
student or other unauthorized source, give or attempt to give information to another student…”
“No Student shall represent another’s substantial editorial or compositional assistance on an assignment as
the Student’s own work.”
“No Student shall submit in any course or program of study, without the written approval of the course
Instructor, all or a substantial portion of any academic writing, essay, thesis, research report, project,
assignment, presentation or poster for which credit has previously been obtained by the Student or which
has been or is being submitted by the Student in another course or program of study in the University or
elsewhere.”
Misrepresentation of Facts
“No Student shall misrepresent pertinent facts to any member of the University community for the purpose
of obtaining academic or other advantage.”
Participation in an Offence
“No Student shall counsel or encourage or knowingly aid or assist, directly or indirectly, another person in
the commission of any offence under this Code.”
“Policy about course outlines can be found in section 23.4(2) of the University Calendar. (GFC 29 Sep 2003).”
“Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only
with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material
is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written
consent from the instructor.”
COURSE OUTLINE
Jan.
6
INTRODUCTIONS
8
WHY HISTORY MATTERS
Major Problems, preface and introduction
Created Equal, preface
[This textbook is Required]
[This textbook is Recommended.]
SLAVERY, CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION
Created Equal, chpt. 15
[Note: This textbook provides a general overview and useful background
information. Focus on the specific topics covered in this course.]
10
Ethnic Notions - film
13
WHITE MYTHS OF BLACK LIVES
15
CIVIL WAR AND RECONSTRUCTION
Major Problems, pp. 1-3, Document 3 (pp. 6-7)
Moodle: How to assess primary and secondary sources
[Note: Please bring the book Major Problems to class for discussion on the days
that documents and/or essays have been assigned.]
17
RESPONSES TO THE ERADICATION OF SLAVERY
Major Problems, Doc. 1 (pp. 3-4), Doc. 4 (pp. 7-8), Doc. 5 (pp. 8-10), Doc. 7 (pp.
11-12), Doc. 8 (pp. 13-14), p.18, Hahn (18-28), Blight (pp. 28-36)
THE WEST AND THE FRONTIER
Created Equal, chpt. 15, 16, and 17
20
Research Paper Discussion (#1)
Moodle: Research paper proposal and paper assignment sheet
22
NATIVE AMERICANS IN THE WEST
Major Problems, pp. 37-38, Doc. 3 (pp. 41-42), Doc. 4 (pp. 43-45),
Doc. 5 (p. 45), Doc. 7 (p. 47)
24
CHINESE IMMIGRANTS AND THE MEANINGS OF THE FRONTIER
Major Problems: Doc. 6 (pp. 45-46), Doc. 1 (p. 72),
Limerick (pp. 51-60)
INDUSTRIALIZATION, WORKERS, AND THE NEW IMMIGRATION
Created Equal, chpt. 16, 17, 18, 19
27
INDUSTRIALIZATION AND THE WORKER RESPONSE
Midterm Exam Information: Q & A
Major Problems, pp. 70-71, Doc. 3, (pp. 74-77), Doc. 5 (pp. 77-79), p. 85,
Jan.
29
Wyman (pp. 86-93)
IMMIGRANTS AND WORKER SAFETY
Major Problems, Doc. 6 (pp. 79-80), Greene (pp. 93-104)
Triangle Fire – film
IMPERIALISM AND WORLD POWER
Created Equal, chpt. 18
Feb.
31
QUEST FOR EMPIRE AND THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
Major Problems, pp. 105-107, Doc. 1 (107-108), Doc. 2 (108-109),
Doc. 4 (110-111), Doc. 8 (113-114), Bederman (115-122)
3
Savage Acts: Wars, Fairs, and Empire – film
Paper Proposals Due
Major Problems, Doc. 3 (109-110), Doc. 6 (112), Kramer (123-131)
WORLD WAR I
Created Equal, chpt. 20
5
MOBILIZATION FOR WORLD WAR I
Major Problems, 133-134, 164-165, Doc. 1 (166-167), Doc. 2 (167-168)
McDougall (177-184), Pastor (184-192)
7
WORLD WAR I: PROPAGANDA AND DISSENT
Major Problems, Doc. 3 (168-170), Doc. 4 (170-171), Doc. 8 (174-176)
Authentic History Center website: www.authentichistory.com, World War I Era,
“The Home Front”
10
Midterm Examination
THE INTERWAR YEARS
Created Equal, chpt. 21 and 22
12
THE KU KLUX KLAN
Major Problems, 193-194, Doc. 5 (200-201)
AHC website: www.authentichistory.com, 1921-1929, “Resisting Modernity,”
“The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan”
14
U of A Sexual Assault Awareness Workshop (in class)
Feb. 17-21
24
READING WEEK - No Classes
THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND VETERANS
Major Problems, 228-229, Doc. 1 (230), Doc. 2 (231), Doc. 5 (235-237)
www.authentichistory.com, Depression 1930-1939, “The Bonus Army”
The March of the Bonus Army - film
Feb.
26
THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND THE DUST BOWL
Major Problems, Doc. 9 (242-244)
AHC website: www.authentichistory.com, Depression 1930-1939, Franklin D.
Roosevelt Years, “The Dust Bowl”
Surviving the Dust Bowl - film
28
Research Paper Discussion (#2): Q & A
WORLD WAR II
Created Equal, chpt. 23
March
3
WORLD WAR II AND MOBILIZATION FOR WAR
Major Problems, 264-265, Doc. 4 (271-273); Doc. 5 (273), Blum (279-287),
Brinkley (288-295)
www.authentichistory.com, World War II: ”The American Home Front—AntiJapanese” and “War ‘Toons”
5
WORLD WAR II AND JAPANESE AMERICANS
Major Problems, Doc. 6 (274-276)
THE COLD WAR
Created Equal, chpt. 24 and 25
7
THE COLD WAR AND THE ATOMIC AGE
Major Problems, 297-299, LaFeber (312-321), Gaddis (321-329)
10
Race for the Superbomb – film
Major Problems, 330-332, Doc. 8 (309-310), Diggins (344-352);
Coontz (352-359)
www.authentichistory.com, 1946-1960, “The Cold War Home Front”
POSTWAR SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Created Equal, chpt. 25 and 26
12
CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE FREEDOM RIDERS
Major Problems, 361-362, Doc. 2 (365-366), Doc. 3 (366-367), Doc. 4 (367-368),
Doc. 5 (369-370), Doc. 10 (374-375), Cmiel (408-415)
www.authentichistory.com, 1946-1960, “Civil Rights”
Freedom Riders – film clip
14
THE NEW LEFT AND THE NEW RIGHT
Major Problems, 396-397, Doc. 1 (398-399), Doc. 4 (401-402), 407,
DeGroot (415-425)
March 17
HIPPIES AND THE COUNTERCULTURE
**Research Papers Due** [penalty for late papers]
Summer of Love - film
19
THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Major Problems, Doc. 9 (406-407)
21
THE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT
Major Problems, Doc. 9 (343-344), Doc. 6 (370-371)
“No More Miss America!” at “Miss America Protest” on website
http://www.redstockings.org
WAR AND POLITICS IN THE LATE 20TH AND EARLY 21ST CENTURIES
Created Equal, chpt. 26, 28, 30 [skim chpt. 27 and 29]
April
24
THE VIETNAM WAR
Major Problems, pp. 427-429, Doc. 1 (429), Doc. 2 (430), Doc. 3 (430-431), Doc.
4 (431), Doc. 5(432-433), Lind (439-448), Lawrence (448-461)
26
THE ANTI-WAR MOVEMENT
Major Problems, Doc. 6 (433-435), Doc. 7 (435-436)
28
THE POLITICS OF OIL
The Alaska Pipeline - film
31
REAGAN REVOLUTION
Major Problems, 462-463, Doc. 4 (467-468), Doc. 6 (469-471),
Doc. 7 (471-472), Schulman (486-495)
2
THE GULF WAR
4
9/11 AND THE “WAR ON TERROR”
Major Problems, 496-497, Doc. 4 (501-503), Doc. 5 (503-504), Doc. 6 (504-505)
7
LEGACIES OF 9/11
Top Secret America: The Hidden Legacy of 9/11 – film (part 1)
Doc. 7 (505-507)
9
WRAP UP AND FINAL EXAM: Q & A
Top Secret America: The Hidden Legacy of 9/11 – film (part 2)
FINAL EXAM: Thursday April 17, 9:00-11:00, this classroom