History 1305: United States History II: Since 1865

Reconstruction to the Present

Spring 2004

Dr. Eleanor Hannah

Office -- ABAH 261
Phone -- (218) 726-7252
Email -- ehannah@d.umn.edu
Office Hours: Monday, Friday 2-3:00pm, Tuesday 10:30-11:30am, and by appointment

The aim of this course is to explore the history of the United States from 1865 to the present focusing on the development of American society and politics. At the conclusion of this course, each student should be able to produce, in written form and orally, an internally consistent and historically accurate narrative (i.e. story) about how and why the United States developed as it did. To meet this goal students must acquire topical, chronological and geographic knowledge of the development of the United States. Students must also learn to evaluate their own narratives and the narratives of others for historical accuracy. To do this students must be able to identify types of evidence used to support claims of historical accuracy and to understand what evidence of various kinds can and cannot be used to demonstrate. Finally, students must learn to identify types of historical narratives and their accompanying strengths and weaknesses.

This course meets the requirements for Liberal Arts Category 7: Historical and Philosophical Foundations.

The basic text for the course is Nation of Nations; A Narrative History of the American Republic, Volume II: Since 1865 by Davidson, Gienapp, Heyrman, Lytle and Stoff. Students are also required to read Twenty Years at Hull House, by Jane Addams and Elaine Tyler May’s, Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era. The course will also require that students read several primary documents, which can be found through direct links from the course website.

The course requires that you complete three unit tests, several chapter quizzes, one in-class comprehensive final exam, a variety of assignments consisting of short written essays and in-class activities, and to participate in providing research assistance to area students participating in Minnesota’s History Day Competition. The instructor reserves the right to add additional quizzes to the course requirements at any time. Unit test and exam questions will be based on required readings, lectures, assignments, class discussions and activities—it is therefore important that you attend all lectures and take good notes. In addition, note that unit tests will include a map component, so plan to make good use of the mapping exercises on the WebPages provided by the textbook at http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/history/usa/david4/index.mhtml

The final grade will be determined as follows: ten percent each for the three unit tests, twenty percent for the final exam, twenty-five percent for six of seven homework assignments, ten percent for chapter quizzes, ten percent for short-answer tests, five percent for History Day assistance, and ten percent for in-class activities and class participation. The grades will be curved to reflect the achievements of the members of this class.

The Unit Tests will be on February 25 and April 10. Homework, In-class activities and chapter quizzes and Map tests will occur throughout the semester (see class schedule). Sign up sheets for History Day assitance will be posted on Dr. Hannah's door, ABAH 261. The final exam will be on Friday, May 14, 8:00am– 9:55am.

STUDY AND RESEARCH TIPS

• Read all assigned material.
  

• Create a study group with other students in the class.
  

• Ask questions in class or use my office hours to pursue more thoroughly topics that interest you and any questions you may have.
  

• The WebPages provided by the publisher of the textbook is an excellent source of both study and research aids. See http://www.mhhe.com/socscience/history/usa/david4/index.mhtml.
  

• In particular, the various quizzes and exercises provided by the WebPages are excellent preparation for the unit tests.
  

• Copies of this syllabus and course assignments are available at http://www.d.umn.edu/~ehannah

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE POLICIES

• Always read the assigned reading material before class.
  

• Always bring the assigned reading material to class.
  

• Assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the date specified.
  

• Assignments will not be accepted after that time. If you cannot attend class that day, make arrangements for the assignment to be turned in early or send it with a colleague.
  

• Students unable to take the final exam on the designated date are expected to notify the instructor immediately via voicemail. Excused absences from the final exam must be approved by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Exam conflicts will be resolved according to the policies outlined in the 2002 – 2005 Duluth Catalog, p. 44-5.
  

• Plagiarism and other forms of scholastic dishonesty, as defined in the Student Conduct Code in the 2003-2005 Duluth Catalog, p. 47-50, will result in zero credit for the assignment and may result in a course grade of F, depending on the severity of the offense.
  

• Individuals who may have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the semester. Adaptations of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.
  

REQUIRED READINGS

All course books are available at the Campus Bookstore. The assigned readings for the course should be done before each class as noted in the Class Schedule.

Davidson, Gienapp, Heyrman, Lytle and Stoff, Nation of Nations; A Narrative History of the American Republic, Volume II: Since 1865.
Jane Addams, Twenty Years at Hull House.
Elaine Tyler May, Homeward Bound: American Families in the Cold War Era.