Course Syllabus for History 076—U.S. History Since 1877

Spring 2005 Ginette Aley, Instructor

Office: 224 Meredith / Phone: 271-2136

Office Hrs: M-F 11am - noon, or by apt

Required Reading List:

Divine, Robert, Et Al. America Past and Present Vol. II: Since 1865 (main text)

Binder, F. and David Reimers. The Way We Lived Vol. II: 1865 to Present

Hollitz, John. Thinking Through the Past Vol. II Since 1865

Course Description, Goals, and Objectives:

In this course we will consider the history of the United States from the post-Civil War and Reconstruction era to the “New Millennium” and the George W. Bush presidency. We will move through this material by way of themes, experiences, and perspectives, paying particular attention to Americans related to each other on a number of levels throughout. More broadly, I would like for us to continually consider the question: How did Americans experience this period in our history? As we do this we must always try to differentiate these experiences by such factors as race, gender, age, ethnicity, and region. In other words, the American experience has not been a universal one, and it is our job to identify the differences and then try to understand why this has been so. Throughout the readings and lectures, it is my hope that you will develop and pursue one of the most crucial tools that you can acquire in college—critical thinking. Don’t just read—question, contemplate, challenge, work-through, and open your mind to learning.

Readings:

Readings are assigned each week on the attached schedule and should be done for the week assigned. You will note that the amount varies so please plan your study time accordingly. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to keep up with your readings—and how easy it will be to fall behind and get frustrated. Time management and consistency are additional crucial tools to begin honing while now in college. They will serve you well later. It goes without saying that your learning is enhanced by also taking (and frequently reviewing) notes as you read.

What to take notes on in your reading? You will find that memorizing dates is less important than learning the material by understanding the topics themselves and then their places in time.

Course Web Site and Course Web Links:

The course web site for History 076 will be: http://www.drake.edu/artsci/faculty/galey/Index.htm (it will be set up soon) I strongly encourage the class to check it periodically for additional information. For example, modifications to the reading schedule as well as exam tips and sample questions will be posted to the site to assist you in doing well in this course.

Assignments and Grading;

There will be 2 exams given during the semester. Tentative exam dates are on the Reading Schedule below as is the critical paper due date. These will be discussed more in class. Your class attendance is assumed.

Grading Scale:

A 92-100%

B 82-91%

C 70-81%

D 62-69%

I do not like giving make-up exams and will only do so under the most dire of circumstances, followed-up with you providing me with all of the necessary documentation. Even then, make-up exams will only be given within 24 hrs. of your scheduled exam.

Grade Distribution:

40% --2 essay and ids exams, a Mid-Term & Final (non-cumulative)

40% --an 8-10page research paper that focuses on primary source accounts about a given topic (i.e. event, person, etc.). A good paper will also fold in relevant material from your supplemental readings. The paper format will be discussed more fully in class.

20% --discussion and participation

**Readings, lecture topics, and exam dates are subject to modification at the instructor’s discretion.

**The Final Exams for my 2 sections of Hist 076 are:

for the 9am MWF section—the final is Wed. May 11, 2-3:50pm

for the 10am MWF section—the final is Mon. May 9, 7:30-9:20am

**Academic integrity policies will be vigorously upheld in this course—no form of cheating or dishonesty will be tolerated.

**If you need an academic accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible.

Suggested Reading Schedule:

Spring 2005, Weeks 1-16

(Exam and due dates are in bold print)

Week 1 (Jan. 17)

TOPIC 1: THE AGONY OF RECONSTRUCTION

-Divine, Chapt. 16

-Binder, Chapt. 1

-Hollitz, Chapt. 1

Week 2 (Jan. 24)

TOPIC 2: THE WEST: EXPLOITING AN EMPIRE

-Divine, Chapt. 17

-Binder, Chapt. 2, 3

-Hollitz, Chapt. 3

Week 3 (Jan. 31)

TOPIC 3: THE INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

-Divine, Chapt. 18

-Binder, Chapt. 4, 5

-Hollitz, Chapt. 2

Week 4 (Feb. 7)

TOPIC 4: TOWARD AN URBAN SOCIETY, 1877-1900

-Divine, Chapt. 19

-Binder, Chapt. 6

-Hollitz, Chapt. NONE

Week 5 (Feb. 14)

TOPIC 5: POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS IN THE 1890S

-Divine, Chapt. 20

-Binder, NONE

-Hollitz, NONE

Week 6 (Feb. 21)

TOPIC 6: TOWARD AN AMERICAN EMPIRE

-Divine, Chapt. 21

-Binder, NONE

-Hollitz, Chapt. 4

Week 7 (Feb. 28)

TOPIC 7: THE PROGRESSIVE ERA

-Divine, Chapt. 22

-Binder, NONE

-Hollitz, Chapt. 5

Week 8 (March 7) MID-TERM EXAM WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR THIS WEEK

TOPIC 8: FROM ROOSEVELT TO WILSON IN THE AGE OF PROGRESSIVISM

-Divine, Chapt. 23

-Binder, NONE

-Hollitz, NONE

Week 9 (March 14)

TOPIC 9: THE NATION AT WAR

-Divine, Chapt. 24

-Binder, Chapt. 7

-Hollitz, NONE

Week 10 (March 21) ** SPRING BREAK MARCH 21-25

Week 11 (March 28)

TOPIC 10: TRANSITIONING TO MODERN AMERICA

-Divine, Chapt. 25

-Binder, Chapt. 8 & 9

-Hollitz, Chapt. 6

Week 12 (April 4)

TOPIC 11: FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT AND THE NEW DEAL

-Divine, Chapt. 26

-Binder, Chapt. 10

-Hollitz, Chapt. 7

Week 13 (April 11)

TOPIC 12: AMERICA AND THE WORLD, 1921-1945

-Divine, Chapt. 27

-Binder, Chapt. 11

-Hollitz, Chapt. 8

Week 14 (March 18)

TOPIC 13: AFFLUENCE AND ANXIETY

-Divine, Chapt. 28 & 29

-Binder, Chapt. 12 & 13

-Hollitz, Chapt. 9

Week 15 (April 25)

TOPIC 14: THE TURBULENT 1960s

-Divine, Chapt. 30

-Binder, Chapt. 14

-Hollitz, Chapt. 10

Week 16 (May 2)

TOPICS 15 & 16: A CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE, 1969-1980 AND THE REPUBICAN RESURGENCE, 1980-1992

-Divine, Chapt. 31 & 32

-Binder, Chapt. 15

-Hollitz, Chapt. 11 & 12

LAST DATE TO TURN IN RESEARCH PAPER IS WED. MAY 4, 5PM (ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS…NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED)

FINAL EXAM = EXAM 2

FOR MWF 9 AM SECTION = WED. MAY 11, 2-3:50 PM

FOR MWF 10 AM SECTION = MON. MAY 9, 7:30-9:20 AM