History 12 (85467)- US History since 1877                                                                  Spring 2018

 

Instructor: William “Billy” R. Mask II

Email: william.mask@scccd.edu

Phone Number: 559-871-4932 (text messages only)

Office Hours: by appointment only

 

Syllabus

Course Description:

History 12 traces the course of US History from the Reconstruction to the present day. Charting the progress of American civilization from the settlement of the western frontier, the various social and cultural movements of the late 19^th century, the 20^th century, the early period of the 21^st century, Prohibition, the Great Depression, World Wars I and II, and the various post-war movements, we will place particular emphasis on the social, political, and cultural impacts these periods in history had on the people who lived through them and the continuing effects on the lives of the American people and society today. This class is designed to provide a general survey of Modern US History and to utilize the study of history to develop and improve your analytical skills. Your task as a student in this class is to read and study the textbook, participate in on-line lectures and discussions, take careful notes, and then to apply the material you learned in order to achieve the course outcomes listed below.

 

Course Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify the changing characteristics in American political and governmental institutions since 1877.
2. Analyze the fundamental changes in the American economy since 1877.
3. Identify key trends and movements in American cultural, social, and intellectual life since 1877.
4. Analyze the causes and consequences of America’s foreign policy, wars, and the rise to global prominence since 1877.
5. Identify the contributions and changing roles of gender and ethnic groups in American history since 1877.

 

Learning Outcomes:

1. Analyze American history since 1877 in terms of significance and validity.
2. Demonstrate a familiarity with the main figures, events, and concepts in the history of the US since 1877 and to gauge their relative significance.
3. Assess the significance of race, ethnicity, class, and gender in the shaping of the US since 1877.
4. Assess the significance of factors such as industrialization, imperialism, political ideologies, urbanization, and technological change in shaping various aspects of the history of the US since 1877.

 

 

Required Text:

The American People (Concise Edition) v. II (8^th Ed)) by Nash, Jeffrey, et al.

ISBN: 10: 0-205-80538-8

 

Recommended and Required Materials:

1. Regular access to a computer and Canvas
2. Text Book
3. Notebook
4. Pencil and/or Pen

 

Course Assignments:

Your final grade will be calculated by the results of the following:

1. Exams: There will four exams during the semester the cover all lecture material and assigned readings. Each exam will consist of multiple choice questions and short responses for a total of 100 points per exam. In addition, the exam schedule is on the last page of this syllabus; however, the schedule can change at the discretion of the instructor. (400 points)
2. Quizzes: There will be a total of 5 quizzes given throughout the semester. The quizzes will consist of multiple choice questions. Each quiz will be worth 20 points. In addition, quizzes will be announced at least one week in advance. (100 points)
3. Participation: You will need to discuss the lectures and course material with your classmates during each of our 4 designed sections. In each section, your participation is worth 40 points (160 points)

 

Grading Scale:

The following sample grading scale is based on four tests (400 points), Five quizzes (100 points), participation (160 points). The Blackboard website will be consistently updated so that you may track your grade and consequently know your standing. Important to Note: There will not be a “curve” for this class. All grades are based strictly a percentage of points earned divided by the total points possible.

            A – 594-660 points (90% or better)

            B – 528-594 points (80% or better)

            C – 462-527 points (70% or better)

            D – 396-461 points (60% or better)

            F – 395 or less points (59% or lower)

 

Extra Credit:

Any and all extra credit assignments during the semester will be at the discretion of the instructor and subject to any conditions he chooses. Extra Credit may take the form of pop quizzes, attendance to special events (FCC or MCC) or any other form the instructor chooses.

 

Final Drop Date:

The last day to drop this class and not receive a “W” is January 26th. Last day to drop class March 9th. Anyone remaining in the class after the final drop date will be assigned a letter grade at the end of our semester. Remember! It is your responsibility to make sure you have been dropped from the class. It may not be automatically done for you by the instructor. The only reason that an instructor can drop a student is for excessive absences. Dropping because of a low grade is the responsibility of the student.

 

Cheating and Plagiarism:

Cheating is the act or attempted act of taking an examination or performing an assigned, evaluated task in a fraudulent or deceptive manner, such as having improper access to answers, in an attempt to gain an unearned academic advantage. Cheating may include, but is not limited to, copying from another’s work, supplying one’s work to another, giving or receiving copies of examinations without an instructor’s permission, using or displaying notes or devices inappropriate to the conditions of the examination, allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the student, or failing to disclose research results completely.

 

Plagiarism is the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own without identifying them as such or giving credit to the source. Plagiarism may include,

but is not limited to, failing to provide complete citations and references for all work that draws on the ideas, words, or work of others, failing to identify the contributors to work done in collaboration, submitting duplicate work to be evaluated in different courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors involved, or encouraging, permitting, or assisting another to do any act that could subject him or her to discipline.

 

Incidents of cheating and plagiarism may result in a variety of sanctions and penalties that may range from a failing grade on the particular examination, paper, project, or assignment in question to a failing grade in the course, at the discretion of the instructor and depending on the severity and frequency of the incidents.

 

Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Policy:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991 and other laws pertaining to race, color, national origin, sex, handicap and age, discrimination and harassment of any type will not be tolerated in the class. In addition, there are many services, activities, and facilities that are accessible to and usable by handicap persons. Please contact the instructor immediately. If you will need any special accommodation for this class it must be verified by the DSP&S office before it is made available.

 

Final Comments:

In my eight years as a college student I learned that no matter your situation or circumstances in life, if you have a commitment, focus, and self-discipline to achieve a scholarly education you will succeed. As the instructor, I will do my very best to make the class interesting, relevant, and challenging. In return, you need to show up (on-time), take notes, read the book, and study for examinations. If we both put forth our best efforts daily, this class will be a positive experience for all of us.

BEST OF LUCK and STAY FOCUSED!!!

History 12 Course Schedule

(Subject to change at the discretion of the instructor)

 

8 January                                                                              Introduction/Syllabus/Chapter 1 Lecture

15 January                                                                                                Quiz #1/Chapter 2 Lecture

22 January                                                                                                Quiz #2/Chapter 3 Lecture

29 January                                                                                                              Chapter 4 Lecture

5 February                                                                                                                            Exam #1

12 February                                                                                                            Chapter 5 Lecture

19 February                                                                                                            Chapter 6 Lecture

26 February                                                                                              Quiz #3/Chapter 7 Lecture

5 March                                                                                                                   Chapter 8 Lecture

12 March                                                                                                                               Exam #2

19 March                                                                                                                 Chapter 9 Lecture

26 March                                                                                                                       Spring Break

2 April                                                                                                                     Chapter 10 Lecture

9 April                                                                                                       Quiz #4/Chapter 11 Lecture

16 April                                                                                                                   Chapter 12 Lecture

23 April                                                                                                                                   Exam #3

30 April                                                                                                                   Chapter 13 Lecture

7 May                                                                                                        Quiz #5/Chapter 14 Lecture

14 May                                                                                                                                Final Exam