History H106 Prof. Jack McKivigan

Summer I 2003 Cavanaugh 406/531

Cavanaugh 215 Off. Hrs. MTR 1-2PM

MTR 10:30AM-12:45PM Off. Ph. 294-5834

UNITED STATED HISTORY FROM 1865 TO THE PRESENT

Course Description: History H106 is designed as an introduction to the study of history in general, and to the study of American history in particular. History H106 examines the transformation of the United States into an industrialized, urban nation and world power during the past century, focusing on the resulting problems and social tensions and on the attempts at adaptation by the American people. Special attention will be paid to those events in the years since 1865 that have had great impact in the shaping of modern American society.

Nature and Amount of Student Responsibility: The success of this course depends upon the completion of the reading assignments and participation in class discussion by the students. If a student falls behind in his/her readings she/he will soon find it difficult to follow the subject matter of class discussion or join in it. Students should feel free to ask questions about unclear material at any time during the class. Students also should feel free to talk to the instructor about any course-related problems especially in cases when a student believes that his/her assignment grades do not accurately reflect her/his performance in the course.

There will be three one and-a-quarter hour examinations for this course. These examinations will be a mixture of essay and objective questions. The instructor will provide review materials to students prior to each examination and has scheduled a review session before each test. The first two examinations are tentatively scheduled for June 2^nd and June 16th and each will count 30% of the final course grade. The final examination, which will focus on materials covered in the last third of the semester and not be cumulative It is scheduled for June 24th, and will also count 30% of the final grade.

The other 10% of the final grade will be derived from performance in quizzes and class participation. Five quizzes, normally concentrating on the assigned reading materials, will be given during the term. Each quiz will consist of ten multiple choice and True-False questions. There will be no make-ups on quizzes for any reason, but the instructor will count only the four best quiz grades for this portion of your final grade. A student’s improvement on examinations during the course of the semester will be given favorable consideration in assigning a final grade.

Nature and Amount of Instructor’s Responsibilities: The instructor’s goal is to have the atmosphere of each class be kept informal to encourage students to ask questions and make observations. He desires general participation and a full variety of viewpoints in discussion sessions. The instructor will make himself available during office hours to offer students additional advice on preparing for examinations. Students are encouraged to take advantage of such assistance. Grading is a necessary evil of the academic system but the instructor has an obligation to explain the reason for giving a grade to a student and to suggest possible ways for improving performance on later examinations.

IUPUI Principles of Undergraduate Learning: The instructor endorses the university’s Principles of Undergraduate Learning and has designed this course according to them: (1) Students will be given the opportunity to enhance their communication skills both orally in class room discussions and in writing on quizzes, tests, and assignments; (2) Students will be given the opportunity to enhance their critical thinking skills through exercises designed to analyze complex historical issues and make informed judgments; (3) Students will be given the opportunity to enhance their skills at integrating and applying knowledge through an interdisciplinary approach to historical analysis; (4) Students will be given the opportunity to recognize their own cultural traditions and appreciate the diversity of the human experience by frequent comparisons of the historical experiences of Americans with that of other people in our readings, lectures, and class discussions; and (5) Students will be given the opportunity to apply ethical and moral judgments to the study of the personal and public choices made by historical figures in various written assignment.

Reading List for History H106: The following two books are the assigned readings for this course:

Text: Leon L. Litwack & Winthrop D. Jordan, The United States: Becoming a World Power. Vol. 2 (2002 ed.)

Reader: Binder and Reimers, eds., The Way We Lived Vol. (4^th ed.; 2000 )

Tentative Schedule of Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments for Part One:

May 15 Introduction

Life in the 1870s

May 19 Reconstruction and the New South Litwack & Jordan, Chap. 18

Binder & Reimers, Chap. 1

The Industrial Revolution Litwack & Jordan, Chap. 20

May 20 The Rise of Big Business Litwack & Jordan, Chap. 23

Toil and Trouble Binder & Reimers, Chaps. 4 & 5

May 22 The Outsiders Binder & Reimers, Chaps. 2 & 6

The Urban Frontier & The Wild West Litwack & Jordan, Chaps. 19&22

May 26 Memorial Day – Holiday

May 27 The Farm Revolt Litwack & Jordan, Chap.21

Binder & Reimers, Chap 3

The Populist Crusade

May 29 Review for First Examination and Begin PART II

June 02 First Examination