History 118

Prof. J. Hargis CRN#32570 Tuesdays & Thursdays 8-9:25 AM SM-121 Porterville College Spring 2010

History 118 is a general introduction to the most significant events and personalities, trends and issues associated with the historical development and transformation of the United States since the national compromise in 1877 that betrayed the ideals of the Civil War & Reconstruction. The course begins with rapid development of the West through the rise of big business and labor, the reform movements of the Populists and progressives, the emergence of the US as a major world power, the shock of World War I, the social and cultural changes of the '20s, the Depression and the New Deal, the coming of World War II, the 45 years of the Cold War, the presidencies of the '50s, '60s, and '70s, the struggle for full civil rights for all Americans, Vietnam, Watergate & cynicism, the rebirth of the conservatives under Reagan and their predominance through the presidency of George W. Bush, and concludes with President Obama's America in search for its proper place in our new uncertain world.

Learning history is a lot more than just names and dates. These are the skills that you will be learning and demonstrating as we apply and analyze the historical information covered in this class

            1. Identify cause-and-effect relationships between significant historical events, ideas, movements, and peoples;

            2. Analyze historical information from primary and secondary sources in terms of significance, intent, reliability and point of view;

            3. Research and write historical essays that support each thesis with a well-organized presentation of historical facts;

            4. Demonstrate understanding of historical viewpoints, analyses, and the impact of events on the peoples of America in the discussion forum;

            5. Apply an understanding of American historical developments since 1877 to contemporary issues and events.

To better prepare for the exams and final, keep these following content benchmarks in focus:

1. Describe the (political, economic, social, and cultural) effects of industrialization on the US during the late 19th century.

2. Analyze the causes and effects of the growth of power and scope of the Federal Government since1877.

3. Discuss the tensions between rural and urban America that developed in the 1920s.

4. Analyze the evolving sense and achievements of civil rights in America since 1877.

5. Analyze the causes and effects of the growth of the US as a world power since 1877

Textbook: Henretta, Brody, and Dumenil, America: A Concise History, Volume Two, Since 1865 Fourth Edition (2010).

Analyzing Primary Sources: Brown & Shannon, Going to the Source, Volume Two. SECOND EDITION ONLY (2008)

Historical Focus and Perspective: Flehinger, The 1912 Election and the Power of Progressivism (2003).

Attendance is a matter of individual student responsibility. Those who cannot meet this responsibility should reconsider taking this course. You should know that attendance continues to be one of the best indicators of student success in classes like this. Studies have shown that students who earn A’s typically miss less than one class, while students who earn B’s miss less than 2, and those earning C’s missing less than 3 classes, and so on. On a practical level, it is simply imperative that students attend every class. There is a great deal of information to read and cover over the course of the semester. Missing a class will put you far behind. Those who miss classes miss out on lectures, discussions and interpretations of the material covered that aid in your understanding of it. To be prepared to understand lecture topics, group discussions, answering the instructor’s questions and the exams, you will need to be in every class besides keeping up with the reading. Let’s be honest, this is not an easy class and this is a very fast semester!

Your semester grade is based on the successful completion of all of the following. Please note the due dates on your class's assignment schedule.

US Map Exam: You must pass a basic US map of states and prominent geographical features. Worth up to 25 points.

Group Presentations: An approximate 10 minute collaborative (group) presentation either orally, by video, or via PowerPoint explaining assigned sections (questions & topics in detail) from Flehinger's The 1912 Election and the Power of Progressivism (worth up to 50 points per person). Students should note that analysis, rather than just reporting information, combined with creativity earns the most points. It will be worth up to 50 points.

Book Summaries: An approximate 2-3 page individual summary and analysis of using examples/evidence from Flehinger's The 1912 Election and the Power of Progressivism to back up your analysis and conclusions. This also is worth up to 50 points.

Unit Exams: There will be unit exams for units I and II. Each will evaluate successful completion of all reading assignments and understanding of historical topics and processes presented in class lectures or discussions for each unit. Each unit exam will be worth 50 points.

Going to the Source Reading/Assignments: There are 14 chapter readings and assignments in this book. You only have to complete 8 of them -- and it's your choice. For each unit, you still read all the assigned chapters and complete only assignments from those chapters you have chosen. Remember, you can eliminate 6 for the whole course. Each assignment where you learn a different process in evaluating historical source material is worth up to 30 points. Every chapter that you choose to complete should be completed in time for a discussion of its topic on the topic's assigned lecture day. For example, Chapter 2 (where this class starts) covers using photography of the Blackfeet Indians to understand change they experienced goes with the lecture topic "The West, Imagination & Reality" covered on 1/27. Therefore, reading chapter 2 in the Source book and completing its assignments ("working with the source" and "analyzing the source") is due the week of 1/27. Completion of 8 of the 14 chapters will be worth up to 240 points.

Participation: Class and/or website discussion participation is necessary. It is an indicator of whether you are learning or just occupying space, and will be evaluated by the instructor on a subjective basis (up to 35 points) taking into account each student’s amount of discussion participation, completion of assignments, and currency in the readings by being able to formulate and field questions from the assigned readings or lecture topics, and mini assignments as they come up

Final: The final exam evaluates overall student mastery of the topics, issues, and events of recent American history and the processes historians use to understand this past. It will consist of a choice of essay questions that seek understanding rather than just memorization and be worth up to a possible 100 points.

Extra Credit: Opportunities for a few extra credit points will be available and include field trips, as well as on-campus speakers & presentations over the course of the semester. Since the college's Cultural and Historical Awareness Program (CHAP) is focusing on the 1960s this year, there should be plenty of opportunities for extra credit this semester. Please note, however, extra credit points are only available to students who have completed all required assignments.

Course grades are based on standard percentages of the total number of points possible on the following scale:

540 - 600 = A (Superior) 480 - 539 = B (Above Average) 420 - 479 = C (Satisfactory 360 - 419 = D (Minimal) 359 and less = F

If you need special accommodations for a disability, please let me know as soon as possible (at 791-2247, via email, or at my office) or contact the campus Disability Resource Center (in AC-115 or call 791-2215) so that we may help you.

Do you want a good grade? The formula for student success in this course is very simple and straightforward:

Do the assigned readings & tasks. A basic “given” is that you are keeping current with the assigned readings and assignments. You will find out the hard way that the semester is much too short to procrastinate and unexcused late work/make ups will not be permitted.

Take notes. You need to be able to remember the details of what we have studied/covered in class previously and put it all together for assignments, tasks, and exams.

Ask questions in class if you don't understand. This is a normal learning process and you will be building participation points when you do so. Your question helps others who also may have had questions about readings, lectures, or assignments and are not confident enough to ask.

Think about what you are learning. Being successful in history requires that you “do something” with the information you receive through lecture, reading, video, or discussion. Simple (short-term) memorization of dates, facts, and figures may not be enough to get you through an exam or this course and, in reality, is a poor substitute for learning. The “something” you need to do is think about the information. This means organizing it, analyzing it, and coming to some conclusion about it. This is what historians (and beginning history students need to) do. From this process comes questions and comments in class, which are very welcome. So open your mind and learn.

Additionally, consult your syllabus or the class website at least once a week to check/confirm reading assignments and due dates for class tasks (be organized).

And always (at least) try to do any extra-credit questions or assignments. Extra credit is only applied when completed to those students who have completed every assigned regular class task. It will not substitute for any missing work.

Use all available class resources. Check out Mr. Hargis's History Writing page (http://www.portervillecollege.edu/hargis/history_writing.htm). It gives you approaches to successfully reading, writing, and understanding what it is we're doing here. Our class project/essay rubric is on the instructor's college webpage. And, your main text has online chapter and mp3 audio summaries, practice tests, etc. that you should use to help you understand what it is you are learning and why it is important. You are really wasting much of your time in this class if you don't utilize these resources available to you.

Finally, if you feel that you are having problems being successful, please seek out the instructor for help as soon as possible for help. My office hours are posted on the instructor's college webpage. You also may contact me with questions or for setting up a face-to-face conference via email at jhargis@portervillecollege.edu or by the phone numbers given above. Don't wait until it is too late.

Please note that this is only a tentative schedule, and there may be circumstances that require changes. Students will be informed if there are any changes in due dates.

2/11 UNIT I EXAM (Covers assigned readings, all the lectures, & class discussions)