Calumet College of St. Joseph

HST 240A American Civilization II Dr. Edward C. Stibili

Spring 2002; Term 20012 Office: 523; 219-473-4284

10:30AM - 12:00PM MR, 264 Hours: MTRF 12:00-1:00 PM; W 5-7PM, and by appointment

SYLLABUS

Course description:

This course surveys American civilization from 1877 to present.

Course Objectives:

The objectives of this course will address the following college goal: Students will develop a knowledge of human civilizations and history, as well as the problems of modernity and historical consciousness (see catalogue, p. 13):

1. Students will review the basic chronology of American civilization from 1877 to the present.

2. Students will focus on the major events and problems of American civilization from 1877 to the present.

3. Students will be exposed to some interpretive issues regarding events and problems in American civilization during this period.

Textbook:

Gary B. Nash, et al. The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society. Vol. II: From 1865. Brief third edition. New York: Longman, 2000. A Study Guide and the web site The History Place are available for students. Both include sample test questions.

Course format:

This course will be based on classroom lectures and discussions based on the outline in the textbook. Visual aids will be used as appropriate.

Grades: Grades will be based on the following criteria:

1. Class attendance and participation: 20%

2. 4 unit examinations: 20% each for a total of 80%

Students will lose one point for each missed class, unless absent for appropriate medical reasons. Such absences will require the doctor's signed note. Only students who take the unit examinations at the scheduled times will be allowed to earn any extra points built into the examinations.

At the end of the term, number grades will be converted into letter grades as follows: 96-100 = A; 91-95 = A-; 87-90 = B+; 84-86 = B; 81-83 = B-; 77-80 = C+; 74-76 = C; 71-73 = C-; 67-70 = D+; 64-66 = D; 61-63 = D-; 60 and under = F.

Classes:

Part One: An Industrializing People, 1865-1900

Monday, January 7: Introduction

Thursday, January 10: Ch. 17, The Realities of Rural America, pp. 441-465

Monday, January 14: Ch. " " "

Thursday, January 17: Ch. 18, The Rise of Smokestack America, pp. 466-494

Monday, January 21: Ch. " " "

Thursday, January 24: Ch. 19, Politics and Reform, pp. 495-516

Monday, January 28: Ch. 20, Becoming a World Power, pp. 517-542

Thursday, January 31: Unit examination

Part Two: A Modernizing People, 1900-1945

Monday, February 4: Ch. 21, The Progressives Confront..., pp. 543-573

Thursday, February 7: Ch. " " "

Monday, February 11: Ch. 22, The Great War, pp. 574-599

Thursday, February 14: Ch. " " "

Monday, February 18: Ch 23, Affluence and Anxiety, pp. 600-626

Thursday, February 21: Unit examination

Monday, February 25: Ch. 24, The Great Depression and New Deal, pp. 627-656

Thursday, February 28: Ch. " " "

Monday, March 4: Ch. 25, World War II, pp. 657-685

Thursday, March 7: Ch. " " "

Part Three: A Resilient People, 1945-1999

Monday, March 11: Ch. 26, Postwar Growth and Social Change, pp. 686-710

Thursday, March 14: Ch. 27, Chills and Fever During Cold War, pp. 711-744

Monday, March 18: Ch. " " "

Thursday, March 21: Unit examination

Monday, March 25: Ch. 28, High Water/Ebb Tide of Liberal..., pp. 745-771

Monday, April 1: Ch. " " "

Thursday, April 4: Ch. 29, The Struggle for Social Reform, pp. 772-805

Monday, April 8: Ch. 30, The Revival of Conservatism, pp. 806-839

Thursday, April 11: Unit examination