VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
COURSE OUTLINE and SYLLABUS
UNITED STATES HISTORY II
HIST 140
Room A202
Instructor: Aron Bright
History Department
Office Phone: 317-544-5000 ext 5111
Email: adbright@avon-schools.org
(Preferred method of communication)
1
Required Text
Required: Roark, James L., et al, The American Promise: A History of the United States, Vol. 2: From
1865, 4th Edition, Bedford/St. Martin’s Pub, 2009. (Textbook rental option…Try: http://www.chegg.com/)
Organization and Content
The course is a 100 level introduction to the history of the United States from 1865 to the present. It presupposes
no additional knowledge of American History. The course will address issues concerning Reconstruction, the
post civil war social and political era, westward expansion, the Gilded Age, the rise of American colonialism and
imperialism, the rise and fall of big business, the growth of big government, and the social, technological, and
cultural crises of America in the twentieth century.
Upon completion of this course, students should have the following capabilities:
1. Recognition of the primary figures in US history.
2. Familiarity with the major political, social and economic events of US history.
3. Geographical identification of major regions and cultural/population movements.
4. Discussion on the major trends which have shaped US history.
General Education skills supported by this course include the following
-Reading
-Writing
-Critical Thinking
-Cultural and Historical Awareness
Methods/Procedures
The classroom sessions will be used for lecture, discussion, and assessments. Primary and secondary source
documents will be used to facilitate discussion and/or reinforce pertinent content. Any materials used in class are
subject to being on the assessments.
Students:
*Students are required to keep up with the reading and attend lectures.
*The student will be expected to have read the assigned text prior to class and should be prepared to discuss it.
*Students will be expected to critically assess, evaluate and analyze the reading and lecture.
*STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE NOTES IN CLASS.
Notes are designed to focus the student’s study. Neglecting to take notes undermines the student’s
ability to organize and understand the material and focus of our study. The majority of the test will
come from notes.
It behooves you to attend class – assessments will be based on lectures and reading. Primary focus will be given
to the lecture (films shown in class will also be on the exams). GRADES ARE TO BE EARNED, NOT GIVEN.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO EARN THEM AND YOUR GRADE IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF
THE EFFORT YOU GIVE.
Electronic devises:
NO TEXTING during class
Turn off phone alerts
Re: computers…For notes, yes; for ANY other purpose, NO.
Do not abuse this or I will prohibit the use of your laptop in class.
Re: recording devises – discuss this with me on an individual basis.
Discussion Policy
Base your arguments on evidence/proof, not emotion. Make a well-informed, legitimate argument; emotional
outbursts that lack sustainable proof are NOT welcomed. “Because I said so,” and any form of it are NOT
legitimate. Reference applicable texts when necessary.
Discussion: In the event we have a discussion, please keep in mind the following:
A. One person speaks at a time.
B. All persons are entitled to their own opinions; you don’t have to agree with it.
2
C. The opinions and perspectives of the professor may or may not be her own. Learn to critically
evaluate what is being said, not just who is saying it. Challenging points of view is not a personal critique; it is a
teaching/learning method which facilitates a deeper understanding of one’s own position or lack thereof.
D. If you have a question, ask it as long as it is germane to the conversation. For example: asking about
the Colt’s game is NOT appropriate during a discussion on historical content.
E. Objective and fact-based points of view during discussions are welcome. Do NOT take things
personally. Conversely, do NOT demean or belittle someone for his/her point of view: NO NAME CALLING
(“that’s stupid” is NEVER acceptable).
Item of Note:
How to study
One of the greatest mistakes made studying History is the random fact, memorization method. History is not a
series of disassociated, independent events, activities and happenstance. In order to help you study and learn the
material, try the following:
-Tie the fact into something greater
-Cause and effect
-Look for patterns; is it familiar
-Ask “why” and “how” questions
When you are organizing information and studying, consider using the following as topics for
analysis/brainstorming (PERSIA).
P political
E economic R religious
S social
I intellectual
A artistic
Note re: pacing: The professor reserves the right to make assignment & assessment changes resulting from
editorial, (textbook publishing updates or edition revisions), pacing, or mechanical errors. Students will be given
immediate notice of the changes as soon as they become available.
Attendance Policy
The student is expected to attend all class sessions. The VU attendance policy applies in all circumstances:
“Students who miss class hours totaling twice the number of credit hours awarded for the course, or the
equivalent of two weeks of class instruction, are eligible to be dropped from class.”
“EMERGENCIES” WILL BE ADDRESSED ON INDIVIDUAL BASIS. Please note: just because you notify
me of an absence does NOT mean it’s excused and doesn’t count against you. The reason for absence determines
whether or not it will be excused. Proof of your excuse will be required if you miss an assessment. You’re still
responsible for any and all missed work.
Assessments
1. Journals:
Each student is expected to have a notebook that will be kept in class for their classroom journal. The journal is to be
completed in the first 5-6 minutes of the period. It is to be done daily. If you are absent the expectation is that you will make
up the journal entry the day that you return. There will be a question, quote or subject on the board that you are expected to
write an original reaction to in your own words. Each journal entry will include the quote or question that you are writing
about and the journal entry number and the date. This journal will be graded and count for about 5% of your total grade.
2. Quizzes are planned for the semester. Quizzes are designed to keep students up to date on their reading and
reinforce learned information. They can also be used as study guides for the unit tests. Additionally, these
quizzes replace the need for a research paper. Prepare for them by reading the assigned chapters when they are
due and taking notes over the reading. Quizzes will count for 20% of your grade. (4 @ 5% each) Each quiz will
be a series of objective questions and likely in a format that can utilize a bubble sheet. True/False, Multiple
choice, Matching or Fact and Opinion questions can and will be used.
3
3. Tests will be given in class and will be essay in nature. Each section of the class will have its own unique test
in order to prevent cheating. The tests while different will be the same level of difficulty. Test will count for 60%
of your semester grade. The regular tests and the mid-term test will consist of 8 items (perhaps chosen from a
bank of 15-20 items) Each question will be graded on the accuracy, depth and significance of the answer given.
The following rubric will be used to grade each test question:
Category
Accuracy
Depth
Significance
Points
Description
3
2
1
3
2
1
4
2
1
Your answer is 100% factually correct
Your answer is 85% or more factually correct
Your answer is less than 80% factually correct
Your answer is thorough and complete
Your answer is adequate but lacking some detail
Your answer is inadequate
Answer shows complete knowledge
Answer shows adequate knowledge
Answer shows inadequate knowledge
4. There are potential writing assignments in and out of class – unannounced. These will be graded as quizzes.
If you miss one, it is a zero; there are NO make-up options for this.
5. A PowerPoint presentation will be given by each student during the semester. This presentation
will be a professional one; this is NOT a creative writing assignment. Information on this is
forthcoming, but this grade will be included with your test grades and count for 10% of your overall
grade.
6. Any videos and supplemental reading sources distributed in class are ‘fair game’ for testing. In other words,
these assignments will also be on assessments.
7. Your final grade will be based on the total number of points earned, divided by the total number of points
possible and then weighted based on category. Quizzes = 20%, Tests = 30% mid-term 25% final exam 25%
**PLEASE NOTE: NO EXTRA CREDIT IS OFFERED.
Grading scale:
93-100
90-92
88-89
84-87
80-83
77-79
70-76
60-69
59-0
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F
The VU US History Code: Unlike the Pirate Code these are not guidelines
1) Do the reading, no reading will mean something other than an A in this course.
2) Take notes over the reading.
4
3) Ask questions in class. (meaningful ones on the topic) Everyone must ask 2 questions each week.
4) Participate in discussions.
5) Prepare in advance for tests. (this is your grade)
6) Do not ask to leave the room once class has begun.
7) Do not be absent.
8) You are in a college class act like it.
9) This class is as important as any other class you are taking.
10) Prearrange anything and everything.
11) If you miss class there are things that cannot be made up.
12) Be your own man or woman and be responsible for your actions and your education and your life.
4. A PowerPoint presentation will be given by each student during the semester. This presentation
will be professional one; this is NOT a creative writing assignment. Information on this is forthcoming,
but this grade will be included with your test grades.
5. Any videos and supplemental reading sources distributed in class are ‘fair game’ for testing. In other words,
these assignments will also be on assessments.
6. Your final grade will be based on the total number of points earned, divided by the total number of points
possible. The number of points possible will be the combined points from the quizzes and tests (please note 2 C
above re: final exam points).
Points earned ÷ points possible = % and letter grade
5