History H106, Reconstruction to the Present
Section C376
Fall Semester 2003
Saturdays
CA 215
Mr.
Bradford W. Sample
Office
Hours:
E-mail
address: bwsample@iupui.edu
Office:
Phone/Voice
Mail: 278-6216
Course
Description:
History
106 is a survey of American history that covers the significant events, ideas,
people, and movements from the end of the Civil War (1865) to today. We will explore how historians interpret the
past and the diversity of opinion that exists concerning past events. History is not a story told in only one way
or with one voice. Interpretation of
events will remain forever in flux, in part because how we see our own world
shapes how we view the past. We will
examine our own biases, as well as those of historians, and will look at
history with an eye toward forming an interpretation of events that recognizes
the limitations of any one particular vision.
Course
Objectives:
Required
Texts:
Francis
G. Couvares, Martha Saxton, Gerald N. Grob, and George A. Billias,
eds., Interpretations of American History: Patterns and Perspectives, Volume
2 from Reconstruction, Seventh Edition.
Robert
A. Divine, T.H. Breen, George M. Fredrickson, R. Hal Williams, and Randy
Roberts,
Neil
Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show
Business.
A
Dictionary – buy or borrow the best one you can find for the price.
Course
Requirements:
Attendance:
Illness, family or work-related problems, and unforeseen circumstances are a fact
of life and therefore there is no penalty for missing as many as two classes
throughout the term. Participation in
class is important and it would be advisable for those missing more than three
classes to withdraw. Attendance will be
taken, and will be a deciding factor in cases where grades are on the
borderline between a higher and a lower grade.
Those who stop attending class, but who have not officially withdrawn,
will be reported to the
Group
Discussion and work: each student will
be graded on their willingness to discuss issues and readings in class. Every student is expected to fully
participate in their small group sessions.
Every student is expected to be fully prepared for class discussion,
having read all of the assigned materials and having completed any homework
that is due.
Quizzes:
17 quizzes over the readings in the textbook for H106 (Divine et al.) will be
given. The two lowest quizzes will be
dropped from grade calculations. No
make-up quizzes will be permitted.
Quizzes will be given near the beginning of class.
Writing: students will be required to write ten short
journal entries on topics regarding the non-textbook readings and will also be
required to fill out several “homework” handouts that will require you to
synthesize materials. In addition, all
examinations require the writing of an essay.
Examinations/Papers:
two essay examination papers will be assigned.
The midterm exam will be due by
Grading
Policies:
It is imperative that students are prepared for assignments, by having read the text or other materials and having completed any readings BEFORE class. I expect you to meet the due dates of assignments. If you have a problem, please talk with me before the assignment is due. If you miss a deadline due to illness I will need documentation. One-third of a letter grade will be deducted for each day an assignment is late (please note that by “day,” I mean a day of the week and not a class session). If you miss an examination it is your responsibility to contact me to reschedule it. Simply leaving a message for me to get back to you does not absolve you of that responsibility.
Improvement
counts heavily in the figuring of your final grade.
***I
will be very reluctant to give a grade of Incomplete (I). I will assign Incompletes only to students
who have successfully completed most of the course work and who have
been prevented by significant and unanticipated circumstances from finishing
all of their assignments.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
and cheating will result in an “F” for the particular assignment and may
possibly result in disciplinary action being taken by the university. See the IUPUI Campus Bulletin, 2002–2004:
School of Liberal Arts, Indianapolis Campus (pages 18–22 and 37–38) or talk
with me if you have questions about what is or is not permissible, or about the
definition of intellectual dishonesty or plagiarism.
August 22 General Information
Read Divine, chapter 16; and Interpretations, chapter
2
August
30 Civil War
& Reconstruction (Quiz, Divine, 16) Journal 1 due
Read Divine, chapter 17
September
6 The West;
Quiz (Divine, 17)
Read Divine, chapter 18; and Interpretations, chapter 3
September 13 Industrialization; Quiz (Divine, 18); Journal 2 due
Read Divine, chapters 19
& 20
September 20 Industrialization (the Reformers); Quiz
(Divine, 19 & 20)
Read Divine, chapter 21,
Interpretations, chapter
4
September 27 Politics of Populist Era; Quiz (Divine, 21);
Journal 3 due
Read Divine, chapters 22 & 23
October 4 Progressivism:
Quiz (Divine, 22 & 23)
Read
Divine, chapter 24; Interpretations, chapter 6
October 11 World War I; Quiz (Divine, 24); Journal
4 due
Read Divine, chapter 25
October 18 *******Mid-Term Examination Paper Due by
Read Divine, chapter 26;
Interpretations, chapter 7
November 1 Great Depression & New Deal; Quiz
(Divine, 26); Journal 5 due
Read Divine, chapter 27
& 28
November 8 Foreign
Policy, 1929-1989; Quiz (Divine, 27 & 28)
Read Divine, chapter 29; Interpretations, chapter 8
Read Divine, chapter 30 & 31; Read Handout
November 22 Disillusionment & Malaise (1964-1980);
Quiz (Divine, 30 & 31); Journal 7 due
Read Divine, chapter 31; Amusing Ourselves, Parts I
& II
November 29 THANKSGIVING BREAK - NO CLASS
December 6 Return to Confidence (1980-present)
Journals 8 & 9 due
Read Divine, chapter 32
December 13 Final
Examination Paper Due by
Send to bwsample@iupui.edu
******Final Exam is cumulative
Activity Points Possible % of total grade Date
17
Quizzes, drop 2 lowest 150 21.4% every
class
10
Journals 150 21.4% as noted
Mid-term
Examination 150 21.4% October 18
In-Class
“homework” 50 07.1% TBA
Final
Examination 200 28.5% December 13
99-100% A+ 78-79% C+
94-98% A 74-77% C
90-93% A- 70-73% C-
88-89% B+ 68-69% D+
84-87% B 64-67% D
THIS
SYLLABUS IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE INSTRUCTOR’S DISCRETION