U.S. History II (1877 to Present) Spring 2013 Syllabus

Instructor: Maya Rook

Contact Info: mayarook@yahoo.com

I’m available to speak with any student upon scheduling an appointment for a mutually convenient time either before or after class. If this time is not convenient, I can arrange my schedule to meet you on another day or time. Likewise, feel free to email if you have any questions about class.

Textbook:  Jennifer D. Keene, Saul Cornell, and Edward T. O’Donell Visions of America: A History of the United States, Volume II: 1877 to Present

Course Description: This course surveys the history of the United States from 1877 to the present.  It examines the political, economic, intellectual, and social forces that shaped modern America.  Particular attention is given to developments surrounding the industrialization of the United States, the emergence of the United States as a world power, immigration, economic changes in the twentieth century including periods of prosperity and depression, and the civil rights and women’s rights movements.

*** Assignments and other class information will be posted at http://amhistory1877topresent.blogspot.com/ ***

Course Requirements

1. Attendance and Participation: It is critical that each student attends each class. This class is built on the principal that every enrolled student makes an important, distinctive contribution to class discussion. You are expected to READ, to THINK, to SPEAK, and to LEARN. Your voice counts. This class will be better if you are in it! If you need to miss class, please inform me as soon as possible.

2. Assignments: In order to develop your ability to critically analyze and interpret the past, students are expected to complete in-class and homework assignments throughout the semester. You will be required to read a document, look at an image, or view a video online and respond to the question that accompanies the document. Various chapters from the textbook will also be assigned throughout the semester.

3. Mid-Term Exam: The mid-term exam will take place in class on February 26. It will cover material from the first half of the semester. A mid-term review will be held the week prior to the exam.

4. Final Project: The final project will be due in class on April 16. It will consist of an essay and a creative element OR a research paper. This topic for this project can be from any material covered during the entire semester. Proposals for the final project are due March 19.

Grading

Attendance and Participation 20%

Assignments 30%

Mid-Term Exam 25%

Final Project 25%

Class Schedule

Jan. 8: Introduction and Overview of the 19^th Century

·      Chapter 14: Now That We are Free, Chapter 15: Conflict and Conquest, Chapter 16: Wonder and Woe

Jan. 15: The Gilded Age and Progressive Movement

·      Response on the Gilded Age due

·      Chapter 17: Becoming a Modern Society and Chapter 18: Creating a Democratic Paradise

Jan. 22: Issues of Race at Home and Abroad, c. 1990-1930s

·      Response on Washington and Du Bois due

·      Chapter 19: Imperial America

Jan. 29: The Great War and the 1920s

·      Response on the Lost Generation due

·      Chapter 20: The Great War and Chapter 21: A Turbulent Decade

Feb. 5: 1930s: The Great Depression

·      Response on Chaplin due

·      Chapter 22: A New Deal for America

Feb. 12: World War II

·      Response on WWII images due

·      Chapter 23: World War II

Feb. 19: The 1950s and Midterm Review

·      Response on suburbia due

·      Chapter 24: A Divided World and Chapter 25: In a Land of Plenty

Feb. 26: MIDTERM and Mad Men (mid-20^th Century Advertising)

Mar. 5: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and Psychedelic Culture

·      Response on Cuckoo’s Nest due

Mar. 12: NO CLASS

Mar. 19: Hippies and the Vietnam War

·      Proposals Due

·      Chapter 26: A Nation Divided and Chapter 27: A Decade of Discord

Mar. 26: From Civil Rights to Black Power

·       Response to speeches by African American leaders due

Apr. 2: The 1970s: Women’s Rights and Gay Rights

·      Response on Stonewall documentary due

·      Chapter 28: Righting a Nation Adrift

Apr. 9: 1980s and 1990s

·      Response on pop culture of the 1980s and 90s due

·      Chapter 29: Building a New World Order

Apr. 16: 2000s and FINAL PROJECT DUE

·      Presentations and end-of-semester celebration!