HIST 112C:  U.S. History II

                                                   Fall 2009

 

           

Professor Rachel Goossen                                                                 Class meets T/R at 9:30 a.m.

                                                                                                                                  in LLC #162

Faculty Office: Henderson #311D

Office phone:  785-670-1762

Office hours:  Tues. & Thurs., 11:00 a..m. – 12:00 noon,

                                                           and by appointment 

E-mail:  rachel.goossen@washburn.edu                                                       

 

 

  I.  COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

            HI 112 is devoted to surveying American history from Reconstruction to the present. 

             Students in the course “do history” by

 

--tracing and assessing political, economic, social, and cultural developments in the   

  United States, drawing connections between contemporary American society and the     past;

                

            --gaining exposure to various methodologies and interpretive frameworks for studying                   American history; 

 

            --identifying elements of leadership shaping the national culture;

  

            --and developing general education skills, including reading intelligently, writing

               effectively, and processing information through synthesis and analysis. 

             

                                                           

 II.  REQUIRED BOOKS AND READINGS

           

            James Roark, et al., The American Promise:  A Compact History, Vol 2, 4^th ed.,                                        Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2009.

 

Upton Sinclair, The Jungle.  1906 (any edition).  Please note:  If you have already read

            this book, please inquire immediately about an alternate assignment.

 

Anne Moody, Coming of Age in Mississippi.  New York:  Laurel, 1968 (any                                    edition).  Please note:  If you have already read this book, please inquire

            immediately about an alternate assignment. 

                                   

            Additional required readings will be given as handouts.                                

 

 

 

 

III.  ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION

 

            The course consists of reading and writing assignments, lectures, discussions, and film.

            Come to class prepared to raise questions and to contribute to discussions on the

            readings and presentations.  Regular attendance is expected; your attendance will be

            noted during each class period.  Please let me know in advance if you will need to miss

            a session.  At the end of the semester I will assign each student points based on

            attendance and on consistent, relevant participation in class discussions.   

 

            Occasionally throughout the semester, students will be asked to submit in-class writing

            assignments based on class presentations, discussions, readings, and films.

           

 

 IV.  PAPERS

 

            One major paper will be assigned.

                        Due Nov. 17, Field Trip response paper following class visit to the

                        Brown v. Board of Education site in Topeka (or alternate assignment)                                                                                                                                               

Your paper should be 2-3 pages, typed and double-spaced.  Additional information will be provided.  Any late papers not excused by a documented emergency will be reduced by the point equivalent of one letter grade for each day late.

 

 

  V.  EXAMS

           

           Three exams are scheduled.  Quizzes on Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle and Anne Moody’s

            Coming of Age in Mississippi are also scheduled.  If you have already read Sinclair’s or

            Moody’s books, see the professor to receive an alternative reading/quiz assignment.    

 

 

VI.  GRADING:  A total of 400 points possible

 

            Class participation               40 points   (10%)

            First exam                           80 points    (20%)

            Quiz, The Jungle                20 points    (5%)

            Second exam                      80 points   (20%)

            Quiz, Moody book               30 points   (7.5%)

            Field Trip Response paper 40  points   (10%)

            Occasional in-class writing 10 points    (2.5%)

            Final exam                        100 points    (25%)

   ______________________________________________

           Total possible                     400 points

 

            GRADING SCALE         360-400 points   A

                                                   320-359 points   B

                                                   280-319 points   C

                                                   240-279 points   D

VII. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Assigned readings should be completed prior to in-class coverage of each topic.  Use the textbook to familiarize yourself with key themes, concepts, and factual material, as a stimulus to discussions, and as an aid in preparing for exams. 

 

            Be attentive to announcements made in class of changes in schedule or procedures, including additional suggested or required readings.  You are responsible for acquainting yourself with any schedule changes and newly assigned material.

 

            If you carry a cell phone, turn it off before entering the classroom.   This is a matter                      of courtesy to the professor and to your fellow students, since phones are intrusive and              disruptive of class time.  No electronic handheld devices will be permitted in this class

            because of the distractions they cause.  If you have a special circumstance that you

            wish to discuss with the professor, please do so.

 

            If you have questions, problems, or have something you'd like to discuss, feel free to        contact the professor before or after class, by email, or by phone.  You are welcome to              take advantage of departmental tutoring assistance.  Student tutors work with

            individuals; hours are posted outside the History Dept. suite, Henderson #311.

 

 

University Policies:

Select Mission of the University:

Washburn University shall prepare qualified individuals for careers, further study and life long learning through excellence in teaching and scholarly work.  Washburn University shall make a special effort to help individuals reach their full academic potential.  Washburn University Board of Regents, 1999

 

Academic Misconduct Policy:

All students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and ethically in their academic work.  Inappropriate and unethical behavior includes (but is not limited to) giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of papers or other assignments, or knowingly misrepresenting the source of academic work.  Washburn University’s Academic Impropriety Policy describes academically unethical behavior in greater detail and explains the actions that may be taken when such behavior occurs.  For guidelines regarding protection of copyright, consult

www.washburn.edu/copyright/students. For a complete copy of the Academic Impropriety Policy, contact the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Morgan 262, or go on-line to:  

www.washburn.edu/admin/vpaa/fachdbk/FHsec7.html#VIII

 

Disability Services:

The Student Services Office is responsible for assisting in arranging accommodations and for identifying resources on campus for persons with disabilities.  Qualified students with disabilities must register with the office to be eligible for services.  The office must have appropriate documentation on file in order to provide services.  Accommodations may include in-class note takers, test readers and/or scribes, adaptive computer technology, brailled materials.  Requests for accommodations should be submitted at least two months before services should begin; however, if you need an accommodation this semester, please contact the Student Services Office immediately.

 

Location:  Student Services, Morgan Hall Room 150

Phone:  785-670-1629 or TDD 785-670-1025

E-Mail:  student-services@washburn.edu

Students may voluntarily identify themselves to the instructor for a referral to the Student Services Office.

 

Center for Undergraduate Studies and Programs (CUSP):

As a Washburn student, you may experience difficulty with issues such as studying, personal problems, time management, or choice of major, classes, or employment.  The Center for Undergraduate Studies and Programs (Office of Academic Advising , Educational Opportunity Program, and Office of Career Counseling, Testing and Assessment) is available to help students either directly through academic advising, mentoring, career counseling, testing and developing learning strategies or by identifying the appropriate University resource.  If you feel you need someone with whom to discuss an issue confidentially and free of charge, contact CUSP in Morgan 122, 785-670-1299, advising@washburn.edu. 

 

Withdrawal Policy:

During fall and spring semesters, students may withdraw from full semester courses through the second week of class with no recorded grade.  From the third through the eleventh week a “W” is recorded for any dropped course.  Beginning with the start of the twelfth week, there are NO withdrawals, and a grade will be assigned for the course.  For other deadlines, check the appropriate Semester/Session Course Bulletin Web Site (www.washburn.edu/schedule)

 

Official E-Mail Address:

Your Washburn University e-mail address will be the official address used by the University for relaying important messages regarding academic and financial information and the University will consider this your official notification for important information.  It may also be used by your instructors to provide specific course information.  If you prefer to use an alternate e-mail address to receive official University notices, you can access your MyWashburn e-mail account, choose the "Options" tab, and select "Settings", scroll to the bottom of the screen and enter the e-mail address you would like your Washburn emails forwarded to in the “mail forwarding” area.  Click on save changes.  This will complete the process of forwarding your Washburn e-mail.  

 

 

VIII.  COURSE SCHEDULE

 

WEEK 1---Aug. 18 & 20  Introduction to Course Themes; Reconstruction  

                       

                 Read: American Promise, Chap. 16.  Also, begin reading The Jungle. 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 WEEK 2---Aug. 25 & 27    To be announced

 

                Continue reading The Jungle.

 

 

WEEK 3--- Sept. 1 & 3   Issues of Race and Gender

 

               Film:  “Ida B. Wells and a Passion for Justice”

                  Read:  American Promise, Chaps.  16 & 17.  Continue reading The Jungle.

 

 

 

WEEK 4 – Sept. 8 & 10   The American West; Late 19^th Century Wealth

 

               Film, “The Way West” on Native American perspectives

                 Read:  American Promise, Chap. 17 & 18.  Continue reading The Jungle

 

 

WEEK 5--- Sept. 15 & 17   Expansionism & Spanish-American War; Intro to Prog. Era

 

                    Read:  American Promise, Chaps. 18 & 20.  Continue reading The Jungle.

                                   

 

WEEK 6--- Sept. 22 &  24   Progressive Era; Women’s Suffrage

 

                  Read:  American Promise, Chap. 21 and finish reading The Jungle.

               Note:  Quiz and all-class discussion on The Jungle will be on Tues., Sept. 22

 

 

WEEK 7---  Sept. 29 & Oct. 1 Review; Exam

                          

               Read:  American Promise, Chaps. 21 & 22

              

                Note:  First exam will be Thurs., Oct. 1

 

 

WEEK 8---Oct. 6  The Great War (note: no class Oct. 8, Fall Break)

                             

                  Read:  American Promise, Chap. 22         

                                          

 

WEEK 9---Oct. 13 & 15  The Great War; The Twenties, & the Great Depression

 

                   Read:  American Promise, Chaps. 22 & 23       

 

 

 

 

WEEK 10 --  Oct. 20 & 22  The New Deal;  Review; Exam

                                                    

                   Read: American Promise, Chap 24

                              Note:  Second exam will be on Thursday, Oct. 22

 

                         

 WEEK 11— Oct. 27 & 29  World War II

                  

                  Read:  American Promise, Chap 25

                    

                 

 WEEK 12 – Nov. 3 & 5  The Cold War and Civil Rights

 

                  Read: American Promise, Chaps. 26 & 27, & continue Coming of Age in Mississippi                      

 

 

WEEK 13—Nov. 10 & 12   Civil Rights   

 

                  Read: Finish Coming of Age in Mississippi

 

                        Note:  Nov. 10 --  Quiz and all-class discussion of Coming of Age in

                                                                                                                                  Mississippi

                        Note:  On Thurs., Nov. 12, our class will meet at  9:30 a.m. at the National

                           Historic Site of Brown v. Board of Education, 1515 SE Monroe, Topeka. 

                           See separate handout for directions and instructions.

 

 

WEEK 14—Nov. 17 & 19   Introduction to the Vietnam War

                       

                 Read:  American Promise, Chaps 28 & 29

 

                         Due Tues., Nov. 17  – Reflection paper on the Brown v. Board site visit

                                      

                         

WEEK 15— Nov. 24   The Vietnam War, continued

                                     

                Read:  American Promise, Chaps. 29 & 30

 

 

WEEK 16---  Dec. 1 & 3  Turbulence in the 1960s & ‘70s; Late 20^th C. Politics; Review

           

              Read:  American Promise, Chap. 30

 

                    

 

FINAL EXAM:   Monday, Dec. 7, at 9:00 a.m.