Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
ELIZABETH M. NAVA
OFFICE: C-109  PHONE: 274-7900 x 6630
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon. / Wed. 2:00 –3:00 p.m.
Tues/ Thurs. 12:30 – 1:30
Email: emnava@aol.com
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EVERGREEN VALLEY COLLEGE
SPRING 2016 (17B) C/L
Tuesday & Thursday
9:15 – 10:35 & 10:45-12:05
Web site: emnavahistory.com
UNITED STATES HISTORY 17B
From 1865 to the Present
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course we will identify, examine and explore economic, social and political events
and issues that have shaped the development of the United States since the Civil War. We
will reevaluate, discuss and debate Reconstruction, Industrialization, life during the
Progressive Era, World War I, the 20’s, The Great Depression, World War II, the Cold
War, the rise of McCarthyism, Vietnam and the Civil Rights Movement.
We will give special attention to the social aspect of how this country developed in order to
understand the current events, issues and problems we face as a nation. We will explore the
lives of different immigrant groups in our discussions and throughout the readings. This
will give us a more realistic view of why America is called the “melting pot” and the “land
of opportunity”. Thus we will begin to develop a historical perspective that will guide our
critical analysis of contemporary economic, social and political problems. We will include
multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-class perspectives with an emphasis on particular
moments in history.
COURSE OBJECTIVES & LEARNING OUTCOMES
One of the objectives of this class is to connect the development of the nation to the present
situation affecting our lives. By studying the diversity of the country’s population and how
different cultural groups adjusted, accommodated and assimilated, we begin to understand
the factors that have shaped our political, economic and social institutions, as well as our
responsibilities as citizens of the most powerful country in the world. We will begin to
understand why people have immigrated to the U.S. and continue to do so. The second
objective is to re-define and develop an understanding of Community and Democracy. We
will also examine American policies, laws, concepts and how they have evolved through
time. In doing so, we can begin to bring meaning to unsettling democratic values, such as,
the real meaning of freedom, poverty and social inequalities that have affected different
ethnic groups throughout history. We will examine the idea of collective sacrifice and
attempt to develop a sense of what it means to Americans. We will develop our own
theories and concepts and begin to draw conclusions concerning social and economic
injustices. The working class will be our focus so that we may develop a sense of cultural
sensitivity among all of us. In the end, we will have a better understanding of class, social
consciousness, oppression, sexism, racism, resistance, accommodation, war, pacifism and
how all these concepts have influenced our interpretation of history.
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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WRITING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES
Students will be writing an average of 3000 words this semester. The exams are designed
to help the student understand and critically analyze eras in American History. The student
is expected to critically evaluate and/or assess the political, social and economic issues,
concepts and theories that have influenced the various periods in history.
The objective is for the student to develop writing skills and to make historical connections
through the readings, documentaries and lectures. The student will be able to write a
college level essay by critically analyzing different historical concepts, issues and theories.
The student will also read a historical novel and write a book review. This will enable the
student to have a better understanding of the time period in which the novel takes place.
The oral presentations help the student to develop research skills, critical thinking,
problem solving and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
After completing the assignments, the students should be able to:
1. Assess the influence various ethnic groups played throughout history
2. Differentiate past eras in history and how they relate to the present
3. Assess the different waves of immigration to the United States
4. Critically evaluate institutionalized racism, sexism and classism
5. Assess the significance and the contributions of the working class
6. Critically evaluate a historical era, a policy, a concept or a law in essay form
7. Write a college level essay
EXAMINATIONS AND GRADING: A SMALL BLUE BOOK (8.5x7) IS REQUIRED
FOR ALL EXAMINATIONS UNLESS OTHERWISE INFORMED.
Three Blue Book exams, a book review (optional) and a well-researched group presentation
will be required of all students. The group presentations and exams will cover all materials
from lectures and reading assignments given up to the test presentation dates. Essay exams
must incorporate information from lecture notes, reading assignments, the reader, films and
documentaries. Students are expected to take examinations on the scheduled dates. No one
is allowed to come in late for an exam. A make up exam date is scheduled on April 21
for those students who missed an exam because of illness and/ or a death in the family. You
must inform the instructor concerning your absence by email or phone. If you fail to inform
the instructor you will not be allowed to make-up the exam. You will only be allowed to
make-up one exam. There are no exceptions to this rule. If you miss taking an exam you
will receive an “F” and the “F” will not be dropped. Extra Credit will not be added to an
“F” received for a missed exam, a retake, a take home or a rewritten exam. You are
required to take all four exams in order for me to drop the lowest score on the first and/or
second exam. Extra credit will not be added to an “F” received for a missed exam, a retake
or a rewritten exam. For your group presentations, you will be graded individually and how
well you have answered your section of the question your group has been assigned.
Students are expected to be present during all group presentations. No exceptions! If you
are not present for the entire days when students are presenting, you will receive an
incomplete for your grade. You will also have an opportunity to read one novel (optional)
from the required reading list and write a book review. The book review, the group
presentations and the Blue Book essays are worth 100 points each.
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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You are expected to join a group during the semester. The success of your group depends
on how well you work together during the semester. The questions for the final exam group
presentations will be handed out in class four weeks prior to the presentation exam dates.
You will be required to present to the class a well-researched presentation regarding
different themes on The Civil Rights Movement to the present. You must be present during
all the presentations. No exceptions. If you are absent the day of your presentation you will
have to take an “F” for your grade and/or an incomplete for the semester. The final will
cover the post World War II, 50’s, and 60’s through the present. The dates for the
presentations are on the class schedule.
.
You will be graded by the standard letter scale, A - F. The Blue Book essay exams, group
presentations and the book critique are all worth 100 points each. Points are deducted for
excessive absences. You can earn extra points for extra credit assigned during the semester.
Extra credit writing assignments announced in class are to be typewritten and due the
next time the class meets. All extra credit points earned are added to the 1st and/or 2nd
exam, which ever is the highest score. The lowest score will be dropped. Extra credit points
are not added to the third exam, book review, the final, a rewritten or retake exam.
Scores on the exams, attendance, participation in class and extra credit assignments
determine your final grade. Instructions for writing your extra credit is on page 10 of
the syllabus. Students are required to take all exams on the scheduled dates. No one is
allowed to leave the classroom during exams. Students are not allowed to come in late
for an exam. If you miss an exam without an excuse you will receive an “F” and the “F”
will not be dropped. Unexcused absences will affect your overall grade and you will be
dropped from my personal roster. Students are not allowed to plea a case on exam dates.
Please see me in my office concerning all exams. Students are not allowed to come in
late on exam days. No exceptions!
If you have questions concerning your grade please see me during my office hours. Please
make an appointment if you cannot see me during my office hours.
Cheating will not be tolerated. Students caught cheating will be automatically terminated
from the class. You will be reported to school officials.
Dates of examinations, presentations and the book review are as follows:
Blue Book Exam
1st Exam
February 18
nd
Blue Book Exam
2 Exam
March 10
3rd Exam
Make – up Exam Day
Blue Book Short essay
You may only make –
up one exam
Book Review Exam May 5
Two and a half pages
due. Optional
typewritten
Final exam
May 17, 19, & Your final exam will
Presentations
24
cover post WW II,
60’s to the present
April 7
April 21
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Class attendance is expected of all students. Participation in-group discussions are expected
of every student. Students who have not attended class will not be allowed to take the
scheduled exams. Students who make a habit of taking exams without attending class are
not active members of the class and need to drop the class. Students who do not attend
class and do not drop the class officially will receive an “F” for the class.
ABSENCES/ TARDINESS AND DROPS
Students who are absent more than three times without an excuse will be dropped
from my personal roster. This does not mean that you will be dropped from the
official roster. It is your responsibility to drop the class officially. If you do not
drop the class officially you will receive an "F" for the class. If I indicate to you or the class
that I have dropped you from my personal roster this does not mean that you have been
dropped officially. It is your responsibility to drop this class with Admissions and Records
otherwise you will receive an “F” for the semester.
Lateness to class during the semester and on exams days will not be tolerated.
Students who are late disrupt the flow of the class and will be counted as an unexcused
absence. No one is allowed to come in late on exam days.
GROUP PRESENTATIONS & ATTENDANCE
You are required to be present for the final exam group presentations. If you are
absent points will be deducted from your final exam grade. If you are absent more
than once you will need to take an incomplete. You must have a doctor's excuse
for your absence. Work schedule responsibilities ar e not, under any circumstances,
an excuse for your absence. Students are not allowed to come in late during the final
presentations.
You are also expected to have read the week’s reading assignment before coming to class.
Be prepared and come ready to critically analyze the readings and lectures. We will break
into groups to discuss and reevaluate the theme at hand.
This class requires active college students willing to contribute their ideas and critical
evaluations concerning American History. In order to develop a strong understanding of the
material, it is imperative that you read your assigned material and attend class. It is your
responsibility to officially drop this class if you are not able to meet the class requirements.
If you do not drop by the deadline, I am required to give you an “F” at the end of the
semester
Note to students: Please refer to the Evergreen College Catalog for Student
Disciplinary Procedure and Complaint/ Grievance Policy.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
FEBRUARY 11: Last day to drop and apply for a refund of all eligible fees.
FEBRUARY 15: Last day to add via MYWEB using add codes.
FEBRUARY 11: Last day to drop a class without receiving a “W” on your record
APRIL 28: Last day to drop a class and receive a “W” on your permanent record.
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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REQUIRED TEXTS
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Textbook: Give Me Liberty: An American History. Volume Two: Fourth Edition by
Eric Foner.
Reader: A People’s History of The U.S. Volume Two: The Civil War To The
Present, by Howard Zinn
BOOK REVIEW EXAM DUE ON MAY 5: THIS TAKE HOME EXAM IS
OPTIONAL. You must follow a guideline. Please see me for details.
You will be required to read one of the following novels for this take home exam. The
novels will be available at the Evergreen College bookstore. This book review is
considered an exam and is worth 100 points. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. A guide
with instructions will be handed out in class for those students who are interested in
writing a Book Review.
NOVEL LIST FOR BOOK REVIEW
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Coming of Age in Mississippi: An Autobiography, by Anne Moody
George Washington Gomez, by Americo Paredes
America is in the Heart, by Carlos Bulosan
Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese-American Family, by Yoshiko Uchida
Ishi in Two Worlds, by Theodora Kroeber**
Goodbird the Indian, His Story, by Edward Goodbird**
Hiroshima, by John Hersey
Thousand Pieces of Gold, by Ruthanne Lum McCunn
The Great Divide, Second Thoughts On The American Dream, by Studs Terkel
Triangle, The Fire That Changed America, by David Von Drehle
The Plaque of Doves, by Louise Erdrich
The Killing of Crazy Horse, by Thomas Powers
** Ishi in Two Worlds and Good bird the Indian, His story, must be read together.
COURSE PLAN
FEBRUARY 2: INTRODUCTION TO COURSE:
Reevaluating the Importance of History in Our Lives. What is Social History? A short
overview of Colonialism to the Post Civil War Era
FEBRUARY 4 & 9: RECONSTRUCTION
Read: Give Me Liberty (Chapter 15)
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapter 1)
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African American Community Emerges: Their Hopes and Dreams
The 13th, 14th, and 15th Constitutional Amendments
The Compromise of 1877
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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FEBRUARY 9, 11 & 16:
THE SETTLING OF THE WEST DURING THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ORDER
Read: Give Me Liberty (Chapter 16)
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapter 2)
Film: Indians, Outlaws and Angie Debo (if time permits).
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The American Indian and Wounded Knee
The Emergence of the Chicano Working Class
Chinese Immigration and Early Discrimination
FEBRUARY 18: FIRST EXAM: COVERING RECONSTRUCTION & THE SETTLING
OF THE WEST
Blue Book Exam: Exam will cover Chapters 15 and 16 in Give Me Liberty and Chapters 1
& 2 in A People’s History of the U.S. Please bring a small Blue Book. (8.5x7)
FEBRUARY 23 & 25: THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ORDER.
Read: Give Me Liberty (Review Chapter 16 and read Chapter 17)
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapter 3 & 4)
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Introduction to the Gilded Age/ The New Industrial Order
The Knights of Labor
The Haymarket Riot: Albert Parsons and Lucy Gonzales Parsons
Samuel Gompers and The AFL
Eugene Debs and the Pullman Strike
Farm Protest & the Populist Movement
MARCH 1, 3 & 8.
THE PROGRESSIVE ERA (1900-1920) CLASS STRUCTURE & POLITICS
Read: Give Me Liberty (Chapter 18)
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapter 5)
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Who Were the Progressives?
Who Were the Socialists?
The I.W.W/ Protests and Strikes
Women Struggle to Gain the Vote
The Election of 1912 (if time permits)
MARCH 10: SECOND EXAM
THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ORDER & THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
This Blue Book exam will cover Chapters 16 - 18 in Give Me Liberty and Chapter 3 - 5 in
A People’s History of the U.S. Please bring a small (8.5x7) Blue Book.
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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MARCH 15 & 17: UNREST AT HOME AND ABROAD: WORLD WAR I
Read: Give Me Liberty (Chapter 19 & 20)
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapter 6)
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World War I: The Great War in Europe- Documentary
The Red Scare
The ‘20’s and The Harlem Renaissance
MARCH 21 –25 SPRING BREAK: NO CLASSES HELD
MARCH 29, 31 & APRIL 5: HARD TIMES: THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Read: Give Me Liberty (Chapters 21 and Review Chapter 20)
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapter 7)
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The Crash
Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal
Repatriation of Mexicans and Mexican Americans: Could this happen again?
American Indians and The New Deal
African Americans in the Depression
Women in the New Deal
APRIL 7: THIRD EXAM: COVERING WORLD WAR I - THE GREAT
DEPRESSION. Short answer essay exam. You will have 60 minutes to complete this
exam. Please bring a small (8.5x7) Blue Book. Exam will cover Chapters 19, 20, & 21, In
Give Me Liberty and Chapters 6 & 7 in A People’s History of the U.S.
APRIL 12, 14 & 19: WORLD WAR II
Read: Give Me Liberty (Chapter 22) Review chapter 21
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapter 8)
American Realities (Chapter 10) required reading (Book on reserve in the
Library).
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World Events that led to War
American Foreign Policy
Pearl Harbor, (December 7, 1941) U.S. Enters the War
People of Color on the Home Front: Japanese Americans, Mexican Americans, African
Americans and American Indians
Women During the War
The War Ends
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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APRIL 21: MAKE – UP EXAM DAY. The make – up exam will cover World War II.
Please read chapters 21 & 22 in Give me Liberty and chapter 8 in People’s History of the
U.S. Students who are not making up an exam do not need to attend class. Groups should
meet in the library to work on final presentations.
APRIL 26 & 28: POST WORLD WAR II – The 1950’s
Give Me Liberty (Chapters 23 & 24)
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapters 9 & 10)
American Realities (Chapter 11) required reading. Book on reserve in the Library
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The Cold War (1945-1953)
The Truman Doctrine
The Marshall Pan
McCarthyism
Middle America Moves to the Suburbs
MAY 5: BOOK REVIEW EXAM DUE: THIS EXAM IS OPTIONAL
You must turn in your Book Review at the beginning of class. No exceptions! This exam
must be typewritten and double –spaced. You must inform the instructor of your
intentions two weeks before this Book Review is due otherwise I will not accept the
exam.
MAY 3, 5, 10 & 12: THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
Read: Give Me Liberty (Chapters 25 & 26) Chapters 27 & 28 are optional
People’s History of the U.S. (Chapters 11 & 12) Chapters 13 & 14 are optional
American Realities (Chapter 12 & 13) required reading. (Book on reserve in the
Library)
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Brown vs. the Board of Education
The Montgomery Bus Boycott
Non- Violence and Civil Disobedience
The Vietnam War: Have We Learned Anything?
The Anti - War Movement
The Chicano Movement
The Woman’s Movement
The American Indian Movement
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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Final Exam: MAY 17, 19 & 24.
The final oral exam projects will be handed out on April 12. All students
must be present.
The final exam oral projects will cover Post- WW II, The 1950’s, the 1960’s Civil Rights
Movement and Vietnam to the present. All students must be present the three days of
finals. If you are absent during the presentations your grade will go down a whole letter
grade and so on. If you do not attend finals you will have to take an incomplete and /or an
“F” for the semester. Work schedules should not, under any circumstances, interfere with
your ability to complete the class requirements. No exceptions!
MAY 26: THIS DAY IS RESERVED FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT
FULLFILLED THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CLASS. STUDENTS WHO HAVE
COMPLETED THEIR WORK DO NOT HAVE TO ATTEND CLASS THIS DAY.
“History with all its unending pain cannot be outlived but faced with courage need
not to be lived again.” Maya Angelou
HAVE A FUN SUMMER BREAK!
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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EXTRA CREDIT FOR SPRING 2016
Instructions on how to do the oral /written work are on page 12 of the
syllabus.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
Students will have an opportunity to present oral presentations that are well
researched and documented during this semester. These presentations will be
presented at the end of class every Thursday and cannot exceed 5 minutes.
You must be well prepared and ready to explain and analyze your report. You
may read a newspaper article and/or magazine article to prepare for this extra
credit and report on the following topics below. These oral presentations are
worth 0-20 points.
 The 2016 Presidential Election
 American occupation in the Middle East
 International news regarding hunger, famine, drought conditions and
genocide.
 Articles on education, the environment, California politics, national and
local issues and policies.
 The current recession
 Articles of concern on the following issues:
 Racial profiling
 Gender discrimination
 Entitlement or government programs
 Employment and job security
 National debt
WRITTEN CRITIQUE:
For the written work you may read any (one) article From These
Beginnings and For the Record and any two articles in The Greatest
Americans in the 20th Century, on reserve in the library. This written
work is worth 25 points.
The following are the deadlines for these short extra credit essays:
 February 25
 March 31
 April 28 and/or May 5
Syllabus/ History 17-B C/L Spring 2016
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GRADING SCALE
The following is my grading scale and an example of how I calculate
your exams and final grade.
100-96=A+ 89-86=B+
95 - 93=A 85-83=B
92 - 90=A- 82-80=B-
79-76=C+
75-70=C
69-66=C-
65-60= D+ to D59 =F
EXAMPLE
1 st exam = 54=F
3 rd exam 85=B
2 nd exam =75=C
4th exam =89=B+
Final exam 95=A 36 divided by 4 = 9= B+
Grade for the class
I drop the lowest score on the 1 st or 2 nd exam and add extra credit to the
highest score left. If your highest score on that exam is a "C", it can only
go up to a "B" if you have enough extra credit. I divide your scores by
the following scale and the number of exams you have taken and that
determines your final grade. Please see example above.
11 = A 9 = B + 7 = B - 5 = C 3 = D +
10 = A- 8 = B 6 = C + 4 = C - 2 = D
1 = D0 = F