TOURO COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS
NEW YORK SCHOOL OF CAREER AND APPLIED STUDIES
DEPARTMENT:
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History and Social Studies
History of the United States, the First Settlements to 1877
GHS106 (not open to students who have taken GHS208)
None
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Revised by Dean Leon Perkal, Dr. Jacob Lieberman and the
Faculty of the History Department
October 15, 2003
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course completes the survey of American history. It includes
the major forces that shaped America from 1877 to the present, including western settlement,
industrialism and the rise of cities, immigration, industrial labor, American expansion and
imperialism, political protest movements, the social and cultural revolution of the 1920s, the
Great Depression, and the New Deal , the World War II experience , the Cold War and the fall
of Communism, suburbia, the Civil Rights Movement, recent economic developments, the
women’s movement, pluralism, and changes in the Presidency.
COURSE/DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVES
The student will:
 Do an in-depth analysis of the important events in American history from 1877 to the
present
 Develop an understanding of chronology, cause and effect relationships, and the ability to
distinguish between major and minor developments.
 Understand the relationship between political, economic, social and cultural factors
which affected American society in that period.
 Be introduced to an appreciation of primary sources as a vital
resource in the study of history.
 Familiarize himself/herself with the use of historical evidence in reconstructing the past, the
methods by which an historian recreates the past and the models of explanation the historian
employs to comprehend the past.
 Be encouraged to generalize, to relate the particular events to general phenomena, to
compare and contrast, to rearrange and reorder facts and figures in order to arrive at fresh
conclusions.
 Be able to read historical maps, political cartoons and other graphical information.
 Be able to use the Internet and other technical resources to do historical work.
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Be able to integrate within a historical report basic writing skills and an awareness of how
history is written.
Be able to appreciate the growth of democratic and pluralistic values, constitutionalism, a
capitalist economy and a diverse ethnic population which forged a unique country that we
know today.
COURSE/INSTITUTIONAL OBJECTIVES
This course is intended to:
 Promote the study of the traditional arts and sciences
 Foster an appreciation of scholarship and enhance research skills in the fields of history and
the other social studies
 Develop critical reading and listening skills
 Develop students’ critical reasoning skills
 Foster analytical thinking and to develop students’ abilities to solve problems
 Prepare students to communicate clearly in spoken and written forms
 Foster students’ abilities to access and evaluate information objectively and effectively
 Foster a respect for and an appreciation of cultural diversity
 Enhance a global perspective regarding economic, social and cultural issues
TOPICS TO BE COVERED

The Legacy of the Civil War and Reconstruction
a.
The Rise of the One-Party System
b.
The Beginnings of the Apartheid System
c.
The Development of Black Society
d.
Implications for Politics and Economics
Readings: Norton et. al., Ch. 16

The Development of the West
a.
The Economic Activities of the Native Peoples
b.
The Transformation of the Native Cultures
c.
The Extraction of Natural Resources
d.
Irrigation and Transportation
e.
Farming the Plains
f.
The Ranching Frontier
Readings: Norton et. al. Ch. 17

The Machine Age
a.
Technology and the Triumph of Industrialism
b.
Mechanization and the Changing Status of Labor
c.
The Union Movement
d.
Standards of Living
e.
The Quest for Convenience
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f.
The Corporate Consolidation Movement
g.
The Gospel of Wealth and Its Critics
Readings:
Norton et. al., Ch. 18

Urban Life
a.
Industrial Growth and Transportation in the Modern City
b.
Peopling the Cities: Migrants and Immigrants
c.
Urban Neighborhoods
d.
Living Conditions in the Inner City
e.
Promises of Mobility
f.
Managing the City
g.
Family Life
h.
The New Leisure and Mass Culture
Readings:
Norton et. al. Ch. 19

Gilded Age Politics
a.
The Nature of Party Politics
b.
Politics in the Industrial Age
c.
The Presidency Strengthened
d.
Limits of Gilded Age Polit9ics
e.
Agrarian Conflict and Populism
f.
The Depression of the 1890s
g.
Depression Era Protests
h.
Populists the Silver Crusade and the Election of 1896
Readings:
Norton et. al., Ch. 20

The Progressive Era, 1895 –1920
a.
The Varied Progressive Ideology
b.
Governmental and Legislative Reform
c.
New Ideas in Education, Law and Religion
d.
Challenges to Racial and Sexual Discrimination
e.
Theodore Roosevelt and the Revival of the Presidency
f.
Woodrow Wilson and the Extension of Reform
Readings: Norton et. al., Ch. 21

American Imperialism
a.
Origins: Imperial Promoters: Political, Intellectual and Economic
b.
Ideology, Culture and Empire
c.
The First Adventures: 1860-1880
d.
Crisis in the 1890s; Hawaii, Venezuela and Cuba
e.
The Spanish-American-Cuban-Filipino War and the Debate over
Empire
f.
Asian Episodes: The Open Door in China, the Filipino Insurrection
and Japan
g.
Latin America, Europe and International Rivalry
h.
Comparison with Other Empires
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i.
Relationship with Indigenous People
Readings:, Norton et. al., Ch. 22

America and World War I
a.
Unstable Neutrality
b.
Submarine Warfare and Wilson’s Demand for War
c.
Taking Up Arms and Winning the War
d.
Mobilizing and Managing the Home Front
e.
Emergence of the Civil Liberties Issue
f.
The Bolshevik Revolution, Labor Strikes and the Red Scare
g.
The Peace Confer34nce, the League Fight and the Post-War World
Readings, Norton et. al., Ch. 23

The New Era of the 1920s
a.
Big Business Triumphant
b.
Politics and Government
c.
Materialism as an Ideology
d.
Cities, Migrants and Suburbs
e.
New Rhythms of Everyday Life
f.
Lines of Defense
g.
The Age of Play
h.
Cultural Currents
i.
The Election of 1928 and the end of an Era
Readings: Norton et. al., Ch. 24

The Great Depression and The New Deal
a.
Hoover and Hard Times
b.
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Election of 1932
c.
Launching the New Deal and Restoring Confidence
d.
Opposition to the New Deal
e.
The Second New Deal and Roosevelt’s Second Term
f.
Industrial Workers and the Rise of 5the CIO
g.
Mixed Progress for People of Color
h.
Women, Work and the Great Depression
i.
The Election of 1940 and the Legacy of the New Deal
Readings: Norton et. al., Ch. 25

Peace and War: Foreign Policy in the 1920s and 1930s
a.
Search for Peace ad Order in the 1920s
b.
The World Economy, Cultural Expansion and the Great
Depression
c.
U.S. Dominance in Latin America
d.
Nazi Germany, The Soviet Union and War in Europe
e.
Isolationism, Neutrality Acts and Roosevelt’s Foreign Policy
f.
Japan, China and the Struggle in Asia
g.
The United States opposes Japan and Germany
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h.
The attack on Pearl Harbor and America’s Entrance into the War
Readings: Norton et. al. Ch. 26

The Second World War at Home and Abroad
a.
Winning the Second World War
b.
Mobilizing the American Home Front
c.
The Military Life
d.
Enemy Aliens, Conscientious Objectors and the JapaneseAmerican Internees
e.
Jobs and Racism on th34 Home Front
f.
Women and Children in the War Effort
g.
The Decline of Liberalism and the Election of 1944
h.
Planning for Peace
Readings: Norton et. al., Ch. 27

Postwar America: Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the Baby Boom
a.
The origins of the Cold War
b.
Cold War Politics: The Truman Presidency
c.
Truman’s Foreign Policy
d.
The Korean War
e.
Consensus and Conflict: The Eisenhower Presidency
f.
McCarthyism,
g.
The Civil Rights Movement in the 1940s and the 1950s
h.
The Post War Booms: Babies, Business and Bigness
i.
Conformity and Consumerism
j.
The Other America
k.
The Election of 1960 and the Dawning of A New Decade
Readings:
Norton et. al., Ch. 28

Foreign Affairs 1960-2002
a.
Kennedy’s Foreign Policy, The Cuban Missile Crisis and Berlin
b.
Johnson and the War in Vietnam
c.
Nixon, Kissinger and Détente
d.
The Impact of the Vietnam War
e.
Carter’s Foreign Policy
f.
Reagan’s Foreign Policy
g.
Bush’s Foreign Policy and the Gulf War
h.
The End of the Cold War
i.
The Gulf War and the New Order
j.
Clinton’s World Policy and Global Disorder
k.
The Second Bush Regime and Terrorism
Readings: Norton et. al. Ch. 29, 31, 33

Domestic Affairs, 1960-2002
a.
Civil Rights and the New Frontier
b.
The Great Society
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c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
The Black Empowerment Movement
The New Left and the Counterculture
1968: A Year of Protest Violence and Loss
Feminism
The Twilight of Nixon: Watergate
Economic Issues and Responses in the Ford Cater Regimes
Reaganomics
Minorities and New Immigrants
The Women’s Movement and Women’s Lives
The first Bush Administration
Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich and Polarization
The Clinton Scandals
George W. Bush, the 2000 elections and the Present
Readings: Norton et. al., Ch. 30, 32, 33
HARDWARE/SOFTWARE/MATERIALS REQUIREMENTS
Although this is not a course taught on-line, it is expected that the instructor and the students will
make regular use of the facilities available through the Internet and other digital facilities.
Appropriate access should be available to the Computer Lab on-site and reasonable support
provided for soft-ware in the field, including CD-ROM materials.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Reading of Assignments and other materials as scheduled

Participation in class discussion and other on-site activities

Research Report
Paper or Critique of Historical Work
A.
Student Argument or Author’s Thesis
B.
Analysis of Sources, Primary and Secondary, including Digital Resources
C.
Student or Author’s Point of View
D.
Student’s Learning on this Topic
Plentiful resources for research exist:
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The Touro Libraries: Brooklyn and Manhattan Main and Extension Campuses: All are equipped
with Internet, Touro Web Library and other Computerized Facilities, as well as Print and other
media. Inter-library location and borrowing facilities are available.
The New York Public Library: Both Circulating and Research Divisions
Brooklyn Public Library: Main Division (Grand Army Plaza) and Branch Libraries
A preliminary bibliography may be found at the end of this syllabus

Midterm Examination

Final Examination
GRADING GUIDELINES
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Midterm Examination = 25%
Final Examination = 25%
Class Participation = 25%
Out of Class Assignments = 25%
METHODOLOGY
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Lectures and discussions
Films, Tapes and Other Media
Digital-based analysis of primary sources and critical articles by historians
Role-playing, debates and other student-based activities
Visits to museums, historical collections, landmarks and other community resources
Lectures by outside speakers
COURSE TEXT
Title:
Author:
Pub. Date:
Publisher:
A People and A Nation
Mary Beth Norton and others, Vol II
2003
Norton
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Touro College contains vast resources in American history. Instructors
might want to use the materials to prepare their courses and recommend the print materials to
their students for supplementary reading, research or to use in specific projects. This
bibliography which was prepared in October, 2003 focuses on recent materials. The “classics”
of American history can be accessed through any text bibliography.
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I.
The Legacy of Reconstruction
Edward Ayers, The Promise of the New South (1992)
David Blight, Race and Reunion (2001)
II.
The Settlement of the West
David Courtwright, Violent Land (1996)
James Grossman, ed. The Frontier in American Culture (1994)
Fred Hoxie: A Final Promise, America’s Campaign to Assimilate the Indian (1984)
Roderick Nash, American Environmentalism, 3rd ed., (1990)
Richard Slatta Cowboys of the Americas (1990)
III.
The Manufacturing Age
Gary Cross and Rich Szostak, Technology and American Society (1995)
Stephen Diner, A Very Different Age (1998)
Ruth Milkman, ed., Women, Work and Protest (1985)
Andre Millard, Edison and the Business of Innovation (1990)
Thomas J. Schlereth, Victorian America (1991)
IV.
The Growth of Cities
John Bodner, The Transplanted
Howard Chudacoff and Judith Smith, The Evolution of American Urban Society
5th Ed. (1999)
Jessica Foy and Schlereth, eds. American Home Life (1992)
Donna Gabaccia, From the Other Side (1994)
-------------------, We areWhat We Eat (1998)
Matthew Jacobson, Whiteness of a Different Culture (1998)
David Nasaw, Going Out (1993)
Benjamin Rader, American Sports, 4th ed. (1999)
Stanley Schultz, Constructing Urban Culture: American Cities and City Planning
(1989)
V.
Gilded Age Politics
Charles Calhoun, ed., The Gilded Age (1995)
Glenda Gilmore, Gender and Jim Crow (1996)
Jeffrey Osler, Prairie Populism (1993)
VI.
Progressivism
Walter Brauisch, Forerunners of Revolution (1990)
Ellen Chesler, Woman of Valor, The Life of Margaret Sanger (1992)
John Cooper, Jr. The Pivotal Decades (1990)
Ruth Crocker, Social Work and Social Order (1992)
Ellen Fitzpatrick, Endless Crusade: Women Social Scientists (1990)
William Link, The Paradox of Southern Progressivism (1992)
Daniel Rodgers, Atlantic Crossings (1998)
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VII.
Imperialism
Edward Crapol, James G. Blaine ((1999)
Paul A. Koistinen, Mobilizing for Modern War (1997)
Walter LaFeber, The American Search for Opportunity (1993)
----------------------The New Empire (1998)
David Pletcher, The Diplomacy of Trade and Investment (1998)
VIII.
The World War I Experience:
Ellis Hawley, The Great War and the Search for Modern Order 2nd ed., (1999)
Clayton D. James and Anne S. Wells, America and the Great War (1998)
Daniel T. Rodgers Atlantic Crossings (1998)
John A Thompson, Reformers and War (1987)
Manfred Boemeke et. al., eds., The Treaty of Versailles (1998)
Byron Farrell, Over There (1999)
Lettie Gavin American Women in World War I (1997)
Jennifer Kenne, Doughboys (2001)
G.K. Piehler, Remembering War the American Way (1995)
William Preston, Aliens and Dissenters (1995)
Norman Saul, War and Revolution (2001)
Ronald Schaffer, America in the Great War (1991)
IX.
The New Era of the Nineteen Twenties
William Barber, Herbert Hoover and the Economists (1986)
Dorothy Brown Setting a Course: American Wome3n in the 1920s (1987)
Stanley Coben, Rebellion Against Victorianism (1991)
Susan Douglas, Inventing broadcasting (1987)
Peter Fearon, War, Prosperity and Depression (1987)
David Goldberg, Discontented America The United States in the 1920s (1999)
William Leach, Land of Desire (1993)
Virginia Scharff, Taking the Wheel, Women and the Coming of the Motor Age (1991)
Winifred Wandersee, Women’s Work and Family Values (1981)
X.
The Great Depression And the New Deal
Anthony Badger, The New Deal (1989)
Michael Bernstein, The Great Depression (1988)
Alan Brinkley, The End of Reform (1995)
Frank Friedel, Franklin D. Roosevelt (1990)
John Garraty, The Great Depression (1986)
David Kennedy, Freedom From Fear (1999)
Susan Ware, Holding Their Own, American Women in the 1930s (1982)
Robert Zieger, The CIO (1995)
XI.
Foreign Policy in the 19020s and 1930s
Thomas Buckley, the United States and thew Washington Conference (1970)
Robert Dallek, FDR and American Foreign Policy (1995)
Justus D. Doenecke and John Wilz, From Isolation to War, 2nd ed. (1991)
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Carrie Foster, the Women and the Warriors (1995)
Emily Goldman, Sunken Treaties (1994)
Abraham Lowenthal, ed. Exporting Democracy (1991)
Frederick Pike, FDR’s Good Neighbor Policy (1995)
David Reynolds, From Munich to Pearl Harbor (2001)
Emily S. Rosenberg Financial Missionaries (1999)
Donald Watt, How Came (1989)
XII. The Second World War
Stephen Ambrose, the Victors (1998)
Gar Alperovitz The Decision to Use The Atomic Bomb on Japan (1995)
John Dower, War Without Mercy (1986)
George Q. Flynn , The Draft, (1993)
Gerald Weinberg, A World At Arms (1994)
Walter La Feber , the Clash (1997)
William O’Neill, A Democracy at War (1993)
XIII. Postwar America
Taylor Branch, Pasting the Waters (1988)
Richard Fried, Nightmare in Red (1990)
David Halberstam, The Fifties (1993)
Lary ed., Recasting America (1989)
David McCullough, Truman (1992)
William O’Neill, American High
Geoffrey Perret, Eisenhower, (1999)
XIV Foreign Affairs, 1960-2002
Scott Bills, Empire and Cod Ware (1990)
Warren Cohen, America in the Age of Soviet Power (1993)
John Gaddis, We Now Know (1997)
---------------The Long Parade, (1987)
Robert Immerman, John Foster Dulles (1`998)
Burton Kaufman, America and the Arab Middle East (1996)
Walter La Feber, America Russia and the Cold War (2001)
Charles Neu, ed., After Vietnam, (2000)
Lawrence Wittner, The Struggle Against the Bomb (1998)
Marilyn Young, The Vietnam Wars (1991)
XV.
Domestic Affairs, 1960-2002
Irving Bernstein, Promises Kept : JFK ‘s New Frontier (1991)
Lou Cannon, President Reagan (1991)
Robert Dallek, Flawed Giant: LBJ (1998)
Leslie Dubar, ed., Minority Report (1984)
David Farber, The Age of Great Dreams (1994)
JR Greene, The Presidency of George Bush (2000)
JR Greene, The Presidency of Gerald Ford (1995)
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Burton Kaufman, The Presidency of Jimmy Carter (1993)
Herbert Parmet, Richard Nixon and His America (1990)
James Patterson, Great Expectations (1996)
Ruth Rosen, The World Split Open (2000)
Digital Resources: Once again, Touro students have access to a wide variety of materials on the
Internet. Teachers should access the Virtual Library Web Page under Touro Libraries on the
Touro Web Page. On the home page, link on history, which gives access to a list of wonderful
sites, which can be retrieved using the web page. Only a small sample is given here.
The Department Office in SCAS, Dr. Lieberman’s Office, has a list of other Web Sites in
History. Please request it and make copies.
Students or faculty should feel free to ask the Librarians or the Department for help in
bibliographical research.
This is a sample:
The African American Odyssey.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/aohome.html
American Memory (Library of Congress)
http://memory.loc.gov.ammem/collections/finder.html
The Presidents of the United States. http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/
Advertisement Access: http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/adaccess/
American historical Images on File: The Native American Experience
http://www.csulb.edu/projects/ais/nae/
Cartoons of the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era http://www.history.ohiostate.edu/projects/uscartoons/GAPECartoons.htm
History Buff
http://www.discovery.com/guides/history/historybuff/historybuff.html
Images of American Political History http://teachpol.tenj.edu/amer_pol_hist/_browse.htm
Martin Luther King and Others, Speeches on Civil Rights
http://www.nps.gov/malu/documents/speeches_toc.htm
Red Scare http://newman.baruch.cuny.edu/digital/redscare/
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