History H106, Reconstruction to the Present

Section X476

Summer II—2003

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday

CA 215

6:00-8:15 p.m.

 

 

Mr. Bradford W. Sample                                                                                             

Office Hours:    4:00-5:00 p.m., Monday and Tuesday                                     

E-mail address: bwsample@iupui.edu                                      

Office: University College 3163                                                

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:

 

Readings, written assignments, and small group discussions are designed to help the student learn how to critically judge the arguments of historians, use historical evidence to craft a lucid argument, delineate fact from opinion, and place your readings in proper perspective. 

 

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.  New York: Free Press, 2000.

 

Robert A. Divine, T.H. Breen, George M. Fredrickson, R. Hal Williams, and Randy Roberts, America: Past and Present, volume II: Since 1865, Brief Fifth Edition.  New York: Longman Press, 2002.

 

Postman, Neil, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business.  New York: Penguin Books, 1986.

 

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 four classes to withdraw, especially as summer sessions are extremely brief.  When it comes to figuring grades, those with high attendance rates will receive favorable consideration. Those who stop attending class, but who have not officially withdrawn, will be reported to the School of Liberal Arts.

 

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.) and your other readings will be given.  The two lowest quizzes will be dropped from grade calculations.  No make-up quizzes will be permitted for any reason. 

 

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: the mid-term examination will be taken in class on Thursday, 24 July 2003.  The final exam will be taken in the classroom on Monday, 11 August 2003.  The final examination is cumulative.

 

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), visit http://ulib.iupui.edu/plagiarism.html, or talk with me if you have questions about what is or is not permissible or the definition of intellectual dishonesty or plagiarism.

 

 


Week 1          

            Monday, June 30        General Information

                                                Read Divine, chapter 16 and Interpretations, chapter 2

            Tuesday, July 1             Lecture on Civil War & Reconstruction; Quiz (Divine, 16)

                                                Read Divine, chapter 17

            Thursday, July 3         No Class

 

 Week 2

            Monday, July 7              Lecture on the West; Quiz (Divine 17)

                                                Read Divine, Chapter 18 and Interpretations chapter 3

            Tuesday, July 8           Lecture on Industrialization; Quiz (Divine, 18)

                                                Read Divine, chapters 19 & 20

            Thursday, July 10          Lecture on Industrialization II; Quiz (Divine, 19 & 20)

                                                Read Divine, chapter 21; Interpretations, chapter 4

Week 3                                  

            Monday, July 14         Lecture on Imperialism; Quiz (Divine, 21)

                                                Read Divine, chapter 22

            Tuesday, July 15            Lecture on Progressivism: Quiz (Divine, 22)

                                                Read Divine, chapter 23; Interpretations, chapter 6

            Thursday, July 17       Lecture on National Progressivism; Quiz (Divine, 23)

                                                Read Divine, chapter 24

Week 4

            Monday, July 21            Lecture on World War I; Quiz (Divine, 24)

                                                Read Divine, chapter 25

            Tuesday, July 22         Lecture on 1920s; Quiz (Divine 25)

                                    Read Divine, chapter 26; Interpretations, chapter 7

            Thursday, July 24          *****Mid-Term Examination******************

 

Week 5

Monday, July 28         Lecture on Great Depression & New Deal; Quiz (Divine, 26)

                                    Read Divine, chapter 27

Tuesday, July 29            Lecture on World War II, 1929-1945; Quiz (Divine, 27)

                                    Read Divine, chapter 28; Interpretations, chapter 8

Thursday, July 31       Lecture the Cold War; Quiz (Divine, 28)

                                    Read Divine, chapter 29

Week 6

            Monday, August 4         Lecture on 1950s America; Quiz (Divine, 29)

                                                Read Divine, chapter 30; Amusing Ourselves, Part I

            Tuesday, August 5      Lecture on 1960s-1970s America; Quiz (Divine, 30)

Read Divine, chapter 31 & 32; Amusing Ourselves, Part II 

            Thursday, August 7       Lecture on 1980s-1990s America, Quiz (Divine, 31 & 32)

                                                Read Divine, chapter 33

Week 7

Monday, Aug. 11       Final Examination (Quiz on chapter 33 will be rolled into final exam)                   

 

 


 

Grading                                                                                              

Activity                                     Points Possible              % of total grade                        Date

17 Quizzes, drop 2 lowest                                   150                               21%                every class

10 Journals                                                        100                               14%                 as noted

Mid-term Examination                                       150                               21%                 July 24

In-Class “homework”                                        100                               14%                 TBA

Final Examination                                              200                               28.5%               August 11

Total                                                                700                             

 

 

 

                        Grading Scale

                                                                       

            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

            80-83%     B-    60-63% D-

 

 

 

 

 

This syllabus is tentative and subject to change at the instructor’s discretion