January 20 2015
Angelina College
Liberal Arts
Hist 1302 United States History II
Instructional Syllabus
I.
BASIC COURSE INFORMATION:
A. Course Description: A survey of the social, political, economic, cultural, and intellectual history of the United
States from the Civil War/Reconstruction era to the present. United States History II examines
industrialization, immigration, world wars, the Great Depression, Cold War and post-Cold War eras.
Themes that may be addressed in United States History II include: American culture, religion, civil and
human rights, technology change, economic change, immigration and migration, urbanization and
suburbanization, the expansion of the federal government, and the study of U.S. foreign policy.
B. Intended Audience: This course is designed for a diverse student body and is required of all students
seeking an Associate of Arts or Sciences degree or plan to transfer to a four-year school.
C. Instructor:
Office Location:
Office Hours:
Phone:
E-mail Address:
Michael Smith
SBS 202D
Monday 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Tuesday 11.25 AM-1.10 PM; 2.30-5.00 PM
Thursday 12.45-1.10 PM; 2.30 – 6.00 PM
(936) 633- 3251
mismith@angelina.edu
II. INTENDED STUDENT OUTCOMES:
A. Core Objectives Required for this Course
1. Critical Thinking: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation
and synthesis of information
2. Communication: to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas
through written, oral and visual communication
3. Social Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to
ethical decision-making
4. Personal Responsibility: to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic
responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global
communities
B. Course Learning Outcomes for all Sections
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
1. Create an argument through the use of historical research
2. Analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources
3. Analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on this period of
United States history.
III. ASSESSMENT MEASURES
A. Assessments for the Core Objectives:
1. Critical Thinking: Students will research an assigned topic emphasizing critical thinking skills.
Students will write an essay on the assigned topic. The essay will be assessed using a rubric which
incorporates the Angelina College Institutional Rubric for Critical Thinking Skills. (Assignment
attached-Addendum)
Revised: 4/12/13
2. Communication: Students will research an assigned topic. Students will write an essay on the
assigned topic. Students will present their findings in small group settings (Discussion Board replies are
utilized in internet courses). Communication skills will be assessed using a rubric which incorporates
the Angelina College Institutional Rubric for Communication Skills. (Assignment attachedAddendum)
3. Social Responsibility: Students will research an assigned topic exploring social responsibility.
Students will write an essay on the assigned topic. The essay will be assessed using a rubric which
incorporates the Angelina College Institutional Rubric for Social Responsibility. (Assignment
attached-Addendum)
4. Personal Responsibility: After reading the course syllabus, instructions, and course rules, students
will design a Personal Responsibility Contract between the student and instructor. The contract will be
assessed using a rubric which incorporates the Angelina College Institutional Rubric for Personal
Responsibility. (Assignment attached-Addendum)
B. Assessments for Course Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate the ability to examine social institutions and processes across a range of
periods, social structures, and cultures by their examination questions, both objective and essay, and
through their textbook readings.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze the effects of historical, social, political, economic,
cultural, and global forces on the area under study by their examination questions, both objective and
essay, and their textbook reading assignments.
3. Students will demonstrate their understanding of the evolution and current role of the United States in
the world by examination questions, both objective and essay, and their textbook reading assignments.
4. Students will demonstrate their ability to differentiate and analyze historical evidence (documentary and
statistical) and differing viewpoints from the lectures and their examination questions, both objective and
essay, and their textbook reading assignments.
5. Students will demonstrate their ability to recognize and apply reasonable criteria for the acceptability of
historical evidence and social research from their examination questions, both objective and essay, and
their textbook reading assignments.
6. Students will demonstrate their ability to understand the differences and commonalties within diverse
cultures from their examination questions, both objective and essay, and their textbook reading
assignments.
IV. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:
This course will be taught using a combination of lectures, quizzes, small group exercises, and major
examinations. Internet research will be required for this course. Students will be also challenged to think
critically through questions asked during the course of the lecture.
V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES:
A. Required Textbooks and Recommended Readings, Materials and Equipment
Tindall, George Brown. America A Narrative History. W. W. Norton and Company. New York 2013
B. Course Policies – This course conforms to the policies of Angelina College as stated in the
Angelina College Handbook.
1. Academic Assistance – If you have a disability (as cited in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) that may affect your participation in this
class, you should see Karen Bowser, Room 208 of the Student Center. At a post-secondary institution,
you must self-identify as a person with a disability; Ms. Bowser will assist you with the necessary
information to do so. To report any complaints of discrimination related to disability, you should contact
Dr. Patricia McKenzie, Administration Building, Room 105 or 936-633-5201.
2. Attendance – Attendance is required as per Angelina College Policy and will be recorded
every day. Any student with three (3) consecutive absences of four (4) cumulative
Revised: 4/12/13
absences may be dropped from the class. Records will be turned in to the academic dean
at the end of the semester. Do not assume that non-attendance in class will always result
in an instructor drop. You must officially drop a class or risk receiving an F. This is
official Angelina College Policy.
3. Additional Policies Established by the Instructor
A. Respect Issues: Disrespect for the instructor or fellow classmates will not be tolerated.
B. Cell Phones: Cell phones must be turned off in class. This does not mean vibrate. Any
students with a cell phone in class, or texting during class will be asked to exit the
class until further notice. Turn off cell phones before an exam. If a cell phone vibrates
or rings during an exam, the student will receive a zero (0) on the exam.
C. Late Work: Late work is unacceptable. Ample time is given for work to be completed
and turned in for each section. Emergency situations require documentation for late
work to be accepted, and that will be at the discretion of the instructor.
D. Plagiarism: Students are NOT allowed plagiarism in any form. This applies to all work.
Each student is responsible for answering questions and all other work in his/her own
wording. Duplication of the work of others will result in a zero (0) for the work. Any
work which requires research also requires documentation. All sources must be
documented with both parenthetical referencing (author, date) and sources cited.
Copying and pasting without quotation marks is plagiarism, which is cheating. Work
containing cut and paste will not be graded (resulting in a zero on the assignment). If
you need a quote (for emphasis only) make sure you have provided quotation marks.
Failure to do so will result in a zero on the assignment.
E. Cheating: Cheating includes copying the work of classmates on assignments or
exams. Cheating includes copying and/or collusion by the work of any other person.
Cheating will result in a zero for the assignment/exam and possible failure
of/expulsion from the course. Plagiarism (cheating) includes copying the work of
others without quotation marks and proper citations.
F. Computer Requirements: Computer and internet knowledge is required for the course.
Students need access to a computer and a reliable internet. Students are required to
purchase scantrons for exams.
COURSE OUTLINE: Description of the Course Activities including due dates, schedules, and
deadlines.
(Please see page five and six)
VI. EVALUATION AND GRADING:
A. Grading Criteria:
There will be four (4) unit examinations given over textbook readings and lecture notes. Each unit
examination will be worth 150 points. There will be four (4) quizzes given over assigned readings in the
textbook. Each quiz will be worth 50 points. The eight grades will be added together for a total of 800
points.
B. Determination of Grade:
A= 800 - 720 points
B= 719 - 640 points
C= 639 - 560 points
D= 559 - 480 points
F= 479 points or less
Revised: 4/12/13
The instructor may modify the provisions of the syllabus to meet individual class needs by informing the class in
advance as to the changes being made.
Spring 2015 Due Dates
All quizzes and exams will be taken in class
Unit One
January 20 – February 10
Section 17:
Section 18:
Quiz One:
Section 19:
Section 20:
Exam One:
Reconstruction
The Reconstructed South and the “New” West
Chapters 17-20
America: A Narrative History
The New Industrial Order
The Rise of the Urban Order
(January 27)
(February 12)
Unit Two
Revised: 4/12/13
February 12 – March 19
Section 21:
Section 22:
Quiz Two:
Section 23:
Section 24:
Exam Two:
The New Industrial Order
The Progressive Era
Chapters 21-24
America: A Narrative History
America and the Era of World War One
America After World War One
(February 17)
(March 19)
Unit Three
March 24 – April 16
Section 25:
Section 26:
Quiz Three:
Section 27:
Section 28:
Exam Three:
The Great Depression and the New Deal
The Second World War
Chapters 25-28
America: A Narrative History
The Post War World
America in a Changing World
(March 31)
(April 16)
Unit Four
April 21 – May 12
Section 29:
Section 30:
Quiz Four:
Section 31:
Section 32:
Section 33:
Exam Four:
America in the Atomic Age
America in the Era of Vietnam
Chapters 29-32
America: A Narrative History
Politics and Social Change in the 1960s
Rebellion and Reaction: The 1960s and 1970s
America in a New Millennium
(April 28)
(May 12)
Revised: 4/12/13
Addendum 1
Essay/Discussion I ties to Personal Responsibility. You will design a Personal
Responsibility Contract for use in this class (it could also apply to other courses). Thoroughly
read the syllabus, mini syllabus with dates, and first week information. Note that the state of
Texas requires six core objectives; communication, personal responsibility, social
responsibility, critical thinking, teamwork, and quantitative and evaluative measures.
Government and history are required to incorporate and assess the first four of those listed in
bold.
Your personal contract must be organized in the following manner and clearly organized.
I. Introductory Biographical Paragraph: Describe yourself, your college experience, and
future goals.
II. The Contract (which must include ALL of the following)
1. Rules on collusion, copying, plagiarism, cut and paste, quotations without quotation
marks, and cheating in any manner.
2. Rules for quiz/test submissions including due dates, time frames, and secure internet
connections.
3. Respect for peers and instructor, including the use of electronic devices (when and where
use is appropriate), working on assignments for other classes, and coming to class on
time.
4. Appropriate documentation when documentation is called for (both parenthetical and a
clearly labeled Sources Cited section is required for research papers)
III. Closing Paragraphs on Classroom Conduct in Today’s Society: Close your paper with
an analysis section on why rules such as these are necessary. Address why
cheating/collusion/plagiarism, copy and paste, and non-use of quotation marks has become so
rampant in today’s classes. Your closing must include your analysis of the classroom situation
today and what can and should be done to alleviate cheating and respect issues. You will
conclude with an explanation of how Personal Responsibility will be expected in your
future vocation as a citizen.
Proofread for Errors: Any use of text messaging lingo in this paper (considered a formal
research paper) will be grounds for a zero (0). Do not use, “little I’s” or “u” or “b” or any such
informal/text language including ellipses (unless quoting). Use of second person or contractions
will be considered a grammatical error on all essays this semester.
IV. Your Grade Will Be Based on the Following:
1. Ethical Issue Recognition: The ability to synthesize the complex relationships within the
issue
Revised: 4/12/13
2. Commitment: Understanding of completing tasks on time
3. Accountability: Accepting responsibility for actions and understanding consequences
following directions
4. Grammar/Structure/Documentation: Organization, spelling, grammar, and
documentation
5. Group Communication: Replies (internet) or group discussions (face to face classes)
Revised: 4/12/13