History 321Syllabus
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH AFRICAN
AMERICAN EMPHASIS TO THE CIVIL WAR
Professor K. R. V. Heningburg
SEMESTER: Fall 2012
OFFICE INFORMATION:
LOCATION: RN-214 Behavioral Sciences Division
CONTACT INFORMATION - Students may see me:
1. Immediately after class;
2. during Office Hours;
 Mon/Wed 3:00pm-4:00pm &
 Tues/Thurs 10:30am-12:00noon or
 By appointment.
3. Website: http://web.scc.losrios.edu/heningk
4. E-mail: Heningk@scc.losrios.edu
5. Behavior & Social Science Office: Professor Heningburg’s
mailbox
6. Voice mailbox: 558-2510
7. Walk-in
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History 321Syllabus
Welcome to History 321 -- United States History since 1865- African
American Emphasis!
Course Introduction: First, it is important to note that this is not an AfricanAmerican Studies course. This course is an examination of United States history
from the Civil War to the present. United States history cannot be completely
understood without incorporating the integral component of African American history.
Consequently, this course will examine the history of the United States from the Civil
War to the present paying particular attention to the attainment of equality for African
Americans. Our particular focus will be the questions of “Societal Place” relative to
African Americans and the rise of Jim Crow segregation juxtaposed against the notions
of racial equality in America. The Civil War Amendments form the foundation for the
modern Civil Rights Movement and many other “rights movements” later in the
Twentieth Century. An appropriate question that we will use to guide our study is
“What are we going to do with all of the black people?” We will use this question to
explore the interplay between the powerful and the powerless, pseudo-freedom and
freedom, prosperity and poverty.
My goal for this course is that all students will gain a sense of empowerment through
knowledge; an understanding of our collective American past and deepen their
perspective on contemporary black America. Because of taking this class, students
should be able to:





Analyze and discuss those historical factors that have shaped the African
American experience since the end of the Civil War.
Explain the ways in which the struggle for civil rights transformed the character
of modern America.
Analyze and explain the importance of African Americans' participation in
American life and history.
Recount the worth and dignity of America's black citizens.
Analyze and discuss the interactions of African Americans with other American
ethnic groups such as Italians, Greeks, Russian, Asians, etc.
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History 321Syllabus

Explain the role of ethnocentrism in the social, cultural, political development,
and foreign policy of America.
PROFESSOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
As your instructor, I am responsible for lecturing, grading your exams and
papers. I have high academic standards and expectations. Therefore, you may count on
me to be both thorough and fair in my approach to grading papers and exams. I look for
and expect improvement on each assignment and will structure my grading accordingly.
I am also your resource for any problems or concerns about the class. My job is to help
you succeed not only in passing this course but to enjoy the process.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES and STUDENTS SUCCESS:
I am intensely interested in your success as a student. However, just as I have
delineated my responsibilities above, I also have expectations of my students. I expect
my students to attend class regularly and to be prepared to participate. Your
participation includes but is not limited to taking notes and contributing to the
discussions in class. I will endeavor to allay any trepidation you may have so that you
can learn in a relaxed environment. However, this does not preclude your responsibility
as a student. The responsibility of learning is yours alone. My job is to facilitate
that process. You must do that which is required (Download the syllabus, read the texts,
take notes, write the papers and exams) to gain the grade you want. An additional tip
for student success is to follow directions! I cannot stress enough how important this
is to your success as a student.
A WORD ABOUT WRITING:
This history course is demanding. It demands a lot of reading, analytical writing,
and critical thinking skills. The stated prerequisite for this class is ENGRW 101 College Writing. Therefore, I expect students who take this class to have satisfactorily
completed or have otherwise satisfied this prerequisite. As reading is also very
important, English 110 – Comprehension Strategies & Vocabulary
Development for College will also be very helpful.
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History 321Syllabus
A FURTHER WORD ABOUT HISTORY AND WRITING HISTORY PAPERS:
First: History does not occur in a vacuum. Each historical event in some way
touches other events around the world. Therefore, it is imperative to remember the
context in which a particular event is discussed.
Second: History papers must demonstrate an understanding of cause and effect,
and accurate chronology. Students must learn to think contextually and about the event
or person’s significance. What is happening around the event or person being
discussed? Who is involved? Why? When? How?
Third: Writing assistance is available in the Writing Center.
COURSE STRUCTURE:
This class will incorporate readings, lectures, discussions, written paper
assignments and evaluations. I believe using this combination of learning methods is
the most thorough way to study and learn history.
ATTENDANCE AND DROP POLICY:
It is imperative to come to class prepared to listen and discuss what you have
absorbed from the readings and from lectures. If you do not choose to attend class, you
will have a difficult time passing this course. You should consider class attendance an
opportunity to consider and question important issues in United States history, and to
share your thoughts with your classmates. If you do not attend class for two consecutive
sessions without communication with me, I will drop you from the class without notice.
If attendance problems arise, please feel free to come and talk with me. I will
listen and can be very understanding. Please remember that good communication is
essential to any relationship, and is no less important between professor and student. I
urge you to take advantage of my office hours, as I am quite willing, able, and available
to help you.
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COURSE EVALUATION:
I have designed this course to impart information, not necessarily to test you. However,
grades are important! Therefore, I will evaluate your course grade on the following
criteria:
% OF
CRITERIA
POINTS
TOTAL
REQUIREMENTS
GRADE
Two Exams
100 Pts
25
Combination Multiple Choice/Blue Book Essay Exams
each
Chapter Tests
25 pts
28
On Course Compass
each
Mandatory “Meet
100
5
Must be completed by 9/28/2012
the Professor”
(No Exceptions)
Conferences
One five (5) page
100
Must conform to standard essay paper format (as indicated in Kate
15
Turabian manual of style):
Paper
Final Exam
Total
Extra Credit
(One time only)
200
27
1300
100
25
N/A

Typed double-spaced

12point font

black ink

cover page and footnotes
Combination Multiple Choice/Blue Book Essay Exam
Attend one cultural event in the Sacramento Area.
(A cultural event is defines as a museum visit or ethnic
celebration, etc.)
IMPORTANT:
All class assignments (exams, quizzes and papers) must be completed to
receive a passing grade for this course. Students are responsible for all
adjustments - verbal and written - to syllabus information.
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MISSED EXAMS AND LATE PAPER POLICY:
I will not accept any late papers or essay exams unless there are valid reasons and
applicable documentation (e.g., a signed doctor’s note). If you have a problem turning
in an assignment, please contact me as soon as possible before the due date. This will
allow us to work out an acceptable compromise. Students may make up a missed exam
ONLY if they provide me with a valid excuse, i.e., illness (doctor’s note required), a
family emergency, or another documented catastrophe. “I did not get enough time to
study” is not a valid excuse. Make-up exams and late paper extensions are
granted at my discretion and must be completed no later than one week
after the assignment due date.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:
Special Arrangements: Please inform me privately of any special needs you may
have (i.e., learning disabilities) at the beginning of the semester. You must provide
campus verification for any disability you may have.
EDUCATIONAL COUNSELING:
All students should have an educational plan. You may obtain such a plan by visiting
the counseling office and conferring with a member of the counseling staff. They are
more than willing to assist you with your educational goals.
FINAL EXAM DATES:
IF YOUR CLASS MEETS:
YOUR FINAL IS ON:
Mon/Wed @9am
Monday, December 17th
from 8:00am-10:00am
Mon/Wed @ 1:30pm
Wednesday December 19th
from 12:45pm-2:45pm
Tuesday/Thursday @ 5:30pm
Tuesday December 18
From 5:45pm-7:45pm
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READING LIST AND OTHER RESOURCES:
1. History 321: American History (Custom Edition for Sacramento City
College).
2. Keith R. V. Heningburg, Readings in US History: African American
Emphasis, Kendall-Hunt.
3. Christopher Waldrep, African Americans Confront Lynching: Strategies
of Resistance from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Era
READING SCHEDULE AND WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
Note: Students should begin readings immediately!
Week
Faragher - US History
Hine: US History Civil
Readings in
Civil War to Present:
War to Present:
US History:
African American
African American
African
Emphasis Custom
Emphasis Custom
American
Edition for
Edition for
Emphasis
Sacramento City
Sacramento City
College
College
Chapter Title:
Chapter Title:
Week 1
Chapter 17
Chapter 12
Chapter 9
Week 2
Chapter 18
Chapter 13
Chapter 10
Week 3
Chapter 19
Chapter 14
Chapter 11
Week 4
Chapter 20
Chapter 15
Chapter 12
Week 5
Chapter 21
Chapter 16
Chapter 13
Week 6
Chapter 22
Chapter 14
Notes
Exam #1
pp309-344
Faragher - US History
Hine: US History Civil
Readings in
Civil War to Present:
War to Present:
US History:
African American
African American
African
Emphasis Custom
Emphasis Custom
American
Page 7 of 9
Notes
Week 7
Edition for
Edition for
Sacramento City
Sacramento City
College
College
Chapter Title:
Chapter Title:
Chapter 23
Chapter 17
Emphasis
Chapter 14
Begin
pp345-356
reading:
African
Americans
Confront…
Week 8
Chapter 24
Chapter 18
Chapter 14
p357- 370
Week 9
Chapter 25
Chapter 19
Chapter 15
Week 10
Chapter 26
Chapter 20
Week 11
Chapter 27
Week 12
Chapter 28
Chapter 21
Chapter 16
Exam #2
Week 13
Chapter 29
Chapter 22
Chapter 17
Term
Paper
Due!
Week 14
Chapter 30
Chapter 23
Week 15
Chapter 31
Chapter 24
Week 16
Course Review
May 10-16
Final Exams Week
Chapter 18
THINGS THAT IRRITATE THE PROFESSOR:
1. Late arrivals & early departures -- This is rude and inconsiderate to the speaker
and classmates. I expect all students to come to class on time and remain until dismissal
unless such departure has been previously discussed with me or in emergency cases.
2. Late paper excuses – see “Missed Exams and Late paper Policy.”
3. Academic Dishonesty -- I will not tolerate cheating in any form. Any student who
cheats on an exam, or plagiarizes on a written assignment will not receive credit for that
assignment.
4. Electronic Devices -- Students must turn off all electronic/portable media
devices (i.e. cell phones, iPods, etc.) upon entering the classroom. I allow
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classroom sessions to be recorded for academic purposes only and under special
circumstances. If you have issues with this policy, see me in private.
5. Improper Social Behavior – Anti-social behavior such as interrupting fellow
classmates while speaking, being excessively argumentative, or causing any other
classroom disruption is not allowed. In the event that a student chooses to disrupt the
class, The Sacramento City College Student Code of Conduct http://wserver.scc.losrios.edu/~matric/guide/stuconduct.html) will be observed and
enforced.
6. Reading newspapers, books, studying, talking, sleeping, etc., during
lectures and classroom activities. --This behavior distracts your fellow students
and is inconsiderate to the instructor.
7. Racist remarks of any sort. -- This behavior is incongruent with college policy
and has no place in this classroom.
8. Talking when I am speaking. -- This is rude and disruptive.
9. Laptops. --Because laptops are difficult to police, I have to disallow laptops in this
class.
10. Students who do not take the class seriously or show initiative.
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