U

U.S. History 1865-Present

History H106/Fall 2005

5:45-8:25 W

Instructor: Jason S. Lantzer

Course Description and Goals:

H106 is a survey course in American History. It aims to look at the major themes, events, and personalities important in the development of the United States from the end of Reconstruction to the Present. In this class we will look at how people and ideas shaped the course of American history. The emphasis will be on these larger theoretical constructs, as opposed to memorizing dates and other “facts.” My hope is that you will come away from the class with a deeper understanding of not only American history but also of History in general, and how the past continues to shape the world we live in today.

To that end, one of the questions we will look at throughout this course is what is America? How did different people see America? What did America mean to the people who lived during the events of the past? How did their interpretations of America shape the country, and as a result, our view of America today? It is hoped that the course will provide you with a basis to better your communication, and critical thinking skills, as well as help you integrate knowledge from several areas into wider perspectives, and form a basis from which you can better appreciate both your own and other cultures.

Required Books:

Boydston etal, Making A Nation II, Portfolio Edition

James Bradley, Flags of Our Fathers

Reading assignments from the textbook are designed to provide useful context for the lectures. The Bradley book will be the basis for a paper, explained below.

Attendance:

It is expected that you will attend class. Punctual and consistent attendance is a key component to success in college, as it is in one’s career, and it will be valued highly in this course. Should you ever need to miss a class for religious or health reasons, try and let me know ahead of time.

Grades:

There will be three exams in the class, each of which is worth one hundred (100) points and will be based on the assigned readings and lectures. The exams, which are non-cumulative, will be made up of essay and short answer questions.

Students will also need to write a paper (5-8 pages), which is worth one hundred points. The paper is to be based on the Bradley book. Students will be asked to reflect on how the book informs them about topics relating to H106. This is not a book report, but rather an opportunity for the student to relate what they have learned in H106 to the wider literature. If you would prefer to read another book on a related (World War II ) topic, you may, but you must get my permission to do so in advance.

Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated

Your final grade is simply the average of your three exams and your paper. Grading is according to the standard A-F scale: 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-60=D, 59-0=F.

Class Schedule:

8/30: Introduction/Chapter 16

9/6: Chapter 17

9/13: Chapter 18

9/20: Chapter 19

9/27: Chapter 20

10/4: Chapter 21

10/11: First Test/Chapter 22 (Start reading Bradley if you haven’t already)

10/18: Chapter 23

10/25: Chapter 24

11/1: Chapter 25

11/8: Second Test/Chapter 26

11/15: Chapter 27

11/22: Chapter 28

11/29: Chapter 29-30/Bradley Paper Due

12/6: Chapter 30-31

12/13: FINALS WEEK