Course Description: History 2020 (3) is a survey of the political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic phases of American life in its regional, national, and international aspects since 1877. Prerequisites: DSPW 0800 and DSPR 0800 or acceptable placement scores.

Textbook: Roark, Johnson, Cohen, Stage, Lawson, and Hartman. The American Promise: A History of the United States Vol. II: From 1865. Compact Edition (New York and Boston: Bedford/St. Martins Press, 2000.)

Articles: Each student will read two scholarly articles which the instructor will either distribute in class or place on reserve under the instructor’s name in the library. Students will then submit a one to two page summary and analysis for each one.

Learning Objectives: Students will learn the major outlines and important details of American political, economic, social, cultural, and diplomatic histories since 1877. Students will develop critical thinking skills and effective communication through writing.

Attendance: Required in the class. I will take roll each class period, giving both the instructor and students an opportunity to learn the names of the members of the class. Any absence exceeding five (5) will result in a reduced grade for the class. There will be no make-up examinations unless you have a valid, documented excuse for the absence. Chronic tardiness disrupts the learning process for all and will not be tolerated.

Note-taking in a college-ruled bound notebook is required of each student. Students may be asked to submit these notebooks periodically throughout the semester to ensure adequate note-taking. Students must also perform all the other class assignments and participate in class discussions.

Testing: Examinations will consist of fill-in-the-blanks, short (1 paragraph) answer identification, and discussion (essay) questions. There may also be quizzes over the readings if necessary.

Grading Scale: This class will use a straight ten point scale. 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B,

70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, below 60 = F.

Library Assignment: Each student will complete a two part library assignment. See the separate handout on the library assignment

Extra Credit: Students may attend any of the presentations in the Spring Lecture Series and write a brief summary and reaction paper about the event for up to two (2) points extra credit each. Total limit for EC is five (5) points.

Academic Misconduct: Any form of cheating, including plagiarism, on any assignment, test, or course work will result in either a grade of "0" for that assignment, test, or work or a grade of "F" for the class. Mr. Douglas will make that determination. Plagiarism is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as "stealing or using the ideas or writings of another as one’s own."

ADA Statement: It is the student’s responsibility to self-identify with the Office of Dis-ability Services in order to receive accommodation. Only those students with appropriate documentation will receive services. Disability Services is located in the basement of the Wood Campus Center, in Room 122.

(M-F) March 1-5 Spring Break – No Class

(F) March 19 Last Day to Drop with a W

(T) April 27 Final Examination: 1:00 – 3:00 PM

1. Complete the library tutorial. Go to the Vol. State web page. Follow the link to Library. On the Library page click on Library Instruction. Then go to Skills Builder (listed under students). This brings up the library tutorial. Read each of the five sections in the tutorial. After studying this, take the on-line quiz at the end of the tutorial and submit your answers, also on-line. If you pass the quiz you have completed the tutorial successfully.

2. Choose a research paper topic. Choose one of the following topics as a starting place for your bibliography. You may choose a different subject if the Instructor approves it. Then narrow your topic. For example, instead of looking at Progressivism as a whole, try looking at one aspect of it, like the role of women reformers, how it affected minorities, or why Progressives were so interested in natural resource conservation. The same is true of a biographic topic – focus on a few aspects of the person’s life rather than the whole thing. I will ask for the topic (title) of your bibliography in mid-February.

 3. Complete the bibliographic assignment. Your task is to then assemble a bibliography on your topic as if you were writing a history term paper. You will submit the bibliography to the instructor for a grade. The bibliography MUST include the following:

The bibliography must be in the proper form. Use MLA, Turabian, or Chicago Manual of Style. Each type of sources listed above should be in a separate section. Also indicate whether the source you list is a primary source (P) or a secondary source (S). A primary source would include evidence created by an event and from that time period. A secondary source is usually a later account of an event, not based on first-hand knowledge.