Welcome
to U.S. History 2 (HIST 1302)
Section/Synonym 20194-021
Course Syllabus - Spring
2017
All Course materials
Copyright © T. Thomas, 2017
THIS CLASS
Class meets
Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00 - 10:20 am at Pinnacle Campus (PIN) Room 402. The first day of class is Wednesday,
January 18thth.
SOME BASICS of CLASSROOM
ETIQUETTE
In
order to ensure respect for the rights of everyone in class:
Ø You are expected to arrive
on time and to stay for the entire class.
Ø Let me know in advance
if you have to arrive late or leave early.
Ø If you cannot make it to
class on time, you can sit in on my other class, which meets from 9 -
10:20 am in this same classroom.
Ø Students who chronically
disrupt the class by arriving late or leaving early will be withdrawn from the
course.
Ø Use of electronic devices
other than tape recorders is strictly prohibited. Tape recorders are permitted.
Ø Use of cell phones, IPods,
IPads, tablets, text messaging, etc. in class is not permitted. All electronic
devices must be stowed away from your desktop.
Ø Use of computers is not
permitted. The existing research on whether digital
technologies enhance student learning is far from conclusive. Whereas these
technologies can without a doubt serve as useful “learning tools,” they tend at
the same time to function as forms of digital distraction that prevent students
from remaining fully “present” in the classroom. Additionally, students often
inform me that other students' devices are a significant classroom
distraction. Therefore, use
of computers is not permitted.
Ø Taking notes is required.
Taking notes helps you to be present and engaged in the class, and it is a
useful and transferable skill.
Ø Use of tobacco products
&/or vapor products in class is prohibited.
BLACKBOARD NOTE: I do not post grades or
course materials on Blackboard. Course materials are posted on my website. Keep track of your exam and assignment
deadlines and grades.
YOUR PROFESSOR
|
Mailing
Address: Dr.
T. Thomas ACC
– History 7748
Hwy 290 West Austin,
TX 78736 Office
Hours: Mon
& Wed 10:30 - 11:30 am & 1:30 - 3 pm and other days/times by
appointment My
office is at Pinnacle Campus (PIN) Room 815. (Driving instructions at
bottom of my homepage: www.austincc.edu/tmthomas) |
Email: (the fastest way to communicate with me) Phone
& voicemail: (512) 223-8164 Urgent
message: call History Dept at 223-3385. FAX: (512) 223-8900 (make
sure my name is on cover page as the recipient) Website: www.austincc.edu/tmthomas |
A NOTE ABOUT EMAIL
The fastest way to reach
me is by email (tmthomas@austincc.edu). I reply to ALL emails,
usually within a few hours.
Ø If you send me an email, please
type something in the "Subject" space, such as "History
course". If you leave the Subject blank, your email will automatically be
deleted as spam ("junk" email).
Ø I answer EVERY email. If
you do NOT get a reply, please assume I never got your email and - either email
me again - or CALL me.
Ø You can leave a voice
message at 223-8164. For URGENT
messages, call the History Department Office at 512-223-3385 - and ask them to
relay a message to me.
Ø If there are any important
class announcements. I’ll send any emails to you at your ACC email address,
so check your ACC email on a regular basis.
BLACKBOARD NOTE: I do not post grades or
course materials on Blackboard. Course
materials are posted on my website. Keep
track of your exam and assignment deadlines and grades.
THIS COURSE
COURSE
OBJECTIVES & RATIONALE: This course will acquaint you with the basic
processes of United States History from 1877 to the present, using a textbook,
classroom instruction, historical documents, and multimedia techniques.
By taking this course, you
can expect to improve or enhance your reading and writing competencies,
critical thinking skills, and research skills. These are skills that are
transferable to subsequent courses, to courses in other disciplines, and to
life outside of academia.
Ø This is primarily a
lecture course, but I encourage class participation.
Ø This course emphasizes
analytical reading and analytical thinking skills and historical research
methods.
Ø The Texas legislature
requires students to take 6 hours of American history to graduate from a public
institution of higher learning in Texas. A grade of C or better in this
class partially fulfills that legislative requirement.
Ø You are expected to read
the relevant textbook chapter before class (see the Course Schedule below)
Ø For common course
objectives, see the ACC History Dept website, http://www.austincc.edu/history/
PREREQUISITES: In order to achieve
success in this course, you must:
Ø
have
a desire to learn
Ø
have
a desire to achieve to the best of your ability
Ø
be
willing to accept personal responsibility for your success in this course
Ø
make
a commitment to fulfilling the requirements of the course
Ø
read
and understand English at the college-level
Ø
have a college-level reading comprehension and
vocabulary. If you cannot yet read at this level, it’s not likely that you’ll
pass this course; and so I recommend you first take developmental reading courses to improve your
reading skills, THEN come back and take this course
Ø
be able to write at the college level - using
correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraphs, vocabulary, etc.
Ø
have
an understanding of basic geography concepts (e.g., hemispheres, longitude,
latitude, & difference between continents, countries, & cities)
Ø
have
a basic knowledge of world geography
Ø
have
a knowledge of basic political science concepts (e.g., legislative, executive,
judicial, monarchy, imperialism, impeachment, nationalism, suffrage, veto)
COURSE
ORGANIZATION: This course is divided into four units, with each
unit covering 3-4 textbook chapters. For each unit, there are study
questions.
The study questions are distributed by Dr. Thomas on the first day of class and
are also available to download from Dr. Thomas' website. At the end of each
unit, an examination will be administered in class. The exam questions will be
taken from class lecture, the study questions, and the textbook.
TEXTBOOK
REQUIRED: James Roark et al, The
American Promise, Volume 2, Sixth edition.
Ø It is your responsibility
to locate and acquire a copy of the textbook.
Some students purchase the textbook; some rent it. It’s your choice.
Ø If you cannot afford to
acquire the textbook right away, there is an older version on reserve in the
PIN Library - for use in the Library.
Ø I recommend you acquire the
textbook BEFORE the course begins so that you will have it on the first day of the semester.
Ø There are TWO VERSIONS of
the textbook. You may choose EITHER one.
Ø WHEN ORDERING ONLINE, USE
THE ISBN NUMBER (below) to make sure you have the right textbook.
|
TEXTBOOK |
WHERE TO PURCHASE |
|
Full color paperback ISBN-10:
1-4576-6839-4 OR ISBN-13:
978-1-4576-6839-5 |
Ø
Available at ACC bookstores and other Austin and online
booksellers. Ø
Also available directly from the publisher at Ø
http://www.macmillanlearning.com/Catalog/Product.aspx?isbn=1457668416 Ø
When purchased NEW, it is the most expensive version. It includes full color maps and pictures. Ø
You should be able to purchase a less-expensive, “used” copy
at ACC bookstores. |
|
“Value” Edition ISBN-10: 1-4576-8794-1; or ISBN-13: 978-1-4576-8794-5 |
Ø
Not available at ACC Bookstores, but may be available from
other booksellers. Ø
Available directly from the publisher at: Ø
Same text as the full-color paperback above, but less expensive black and white
version, with fewer graphics |
OPTIONAL: John Trimble, Writing
with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing. ISBN # 013025713. This
small, inexpensive book is especially helpful for those who plan to write a
research paper. You are not required to purchase this reference book,
but I encourage you to get a copy and read it at some point early in your
college career - it’s a quick read - and will take you about 2 hours the
read the entire book.
ATTENDANCE
The
most successful students in this course are those who attend class.
Ø You are expected to attend
class and to arrive on time. If
you arrive late, you disrupt the class and infringe on the rights of others in
the classroom.
Ø If you miss class for any
reason, it is your responsibility to get class notes and assignments.
Ø If you miss class on an
assignment due date, it is your responsibility to get a copy of your
assignment to me on the due date. Late assignments are not accepted,
unless for documented serious
medical reason(s).
Ø If you know you’re going
to be late or if you have to leave early, please let me know ahead of time.
Ø If you have to be absent
from this class on any day, please feel free to attend my other HIST 1302
class, in this same classroom, from 9 - 10:20 am. No permission necessary.
Ø You are expected to
read the relevant chapter of the textbook BEFORE you come to class. See the semester schedule at the end of the
syllabus.
WITHDRAWING FROM THIS COURSE - Deadline is April
24th
If
you find that you are unable to meet course requirements, you should consider
withdrawing from the course to avoid any possibility of being assigned a
failing grade.
Ø BEFORE you consider
withdrawing, read the state law (“Six-withdrawal Limit”) on withdrawals from
Texas public colleges/universities, located in the ACC Student “Need to Know” section, online at:
http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow/
Ø Withdrawal is accomplished
by completing a withdrawal form online at the “Online Services” web page (http://www.austincc.edu/onlineservices/)
Ø It is your responsibility to complete the
withdrawal process.
Ø The deadline for
withdrawing is April 24th. You can withdraw ON April 24th.
Students
who disrupt the class will be withdrawn from the class. Disruptive behavior includes, but is not
limited to, chronic tardiness. Students who disrupt the class by interfering
with the free and respectful exchange of ideas will be withdrawn from the
class.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
For
students with disabilities, ACC is committed to providing an equal opportunity
to access benefits, rights, and privileges of college services, programs, and
activities in compliance with state and federal law.
Ø Students with disabilities
who need accommodations must request reasonable accommodations through ACC's Student
Accessibility Services (SAS) offices are located on each of the ACC campuses.
Ø Students are encouraged to
do this at least 2 weeks before the semester begins.
Ø Please let me know as soon
as possible how I can accommodate your special needs in this class.
Ø If you are requesting
accommodations, you must submit your Accommodations Form to me as soon as
possible.
Ø At Pinnacle Campus, the
SAS office is located in room 221.
Link
to other Student Services at ACC:
http://www.austincc.edu/current-students
YOUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY
In
compliance with the Family Education Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974, I will not give information concerning your
grades, academic progress, attendance, address, phone, or email address to
anyone (including your parents) unless you give your written permission. In
addition, I will not give grade information over the phone.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
The
free exchange of ideas is vital to learning. Your comments and ideas, if
expressed respectfully, will be met with respect from your colleagues
and your professor. You are encouraged
to ask questions and to contribute to class discussions. There are no “stupid” questions and you will
not be ridiculed for asking questions. Students who disrupt the class by
interfering with the free and respectful exchange of ideas will be withdrawn.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKING THIS COURSE
This
is a college course and all students enrolled in this course will be treated as
college students. If you are taking this course, you are considered a college
student.
Ø Unless there is an
emergency, I will not speak to, nor will I correspond with, your parents or
guardians.
Ø If there are any absences,
problems or issues, you need to speak
with me or correspond with me yourself.
Ø All sections of this
syllabus and orientation pertain equally to all students in this course,
regardless of age or educational status.
Ø Regardless of their age,
high school students who are enrolled in a college course are protected by Family Education Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974,
Ø In compliance with this
Act, I will not discuss your grades or your academic progress with your parents
or guardians.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Acts
of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a
disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic
mission of the institution.
Acquiring
fraudulent credentials through cheating raises additional concerns for employers
and institutions beyond ACC, who rely on ACC to certify a student’s academic
achievements, and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of
the graduate.
For
these, and other moral and ethical reasons, academic or scholastic dishonesty
will not be tolerated.
WARNING: Any act of plagiarism
and/or other type of academic or scholastic dishonesty will result in you
receiving the grade of "F" for the course.
Violation of Testing Center
policies while using the testing center will also result in a failing grade for
this course.
Academic
dishonesty – cheating - is defined as fraud, deceit, or
dishonesty in an academic assignment. It includes:
v
Copying or attempting to copy from others during an
examination;
v
Copying or attempting to copy from others an
assignment;
v
Communicating examination information to, or
receiving such information from, another person;
v
Violating
v
Using, attempting to use, or assisting others in
using materials that are prohibited during examination in question, such as:
books, Web sites, prepared answers, written notes, or concealed information;
v
Allowing others to do one's assignment or a portion
of one's assignment;
v
Using a commercial term paper service or otherwise
acquiring a term paper and submitting it as your own;
v
Purchasing or otherwise acquiring written work that
is not your own
Plagiarism
is defined as using another's work (whether printed, electronic, or spoken)
without crediting him or her. All of the following are considered plagiarism:
v turning in someone else's work as your own;
v copying words or ideas from someone else without
giving credit;
v failing to put a quotation in quotation marks;
v giving incorrect information about the source of a
quotation;
v changing words but copying the sentence structure
of a source without giving credit;
v copying so many words or ideas from a source that
it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not;
v copying from a website without giving credit
“Giving credit” means citing the source of your information. This is usually done using a footnote. If you use material from a website, book or
other source, you must give credit to that author by citing the source in a
footnote. See Dr. Thomas for assistance
with footnotes.
Any act of plagiarism or other type of academic
dishonesty will result in you receiving the grade of "F" for the
course.
For more information on policies
concerning student rights and responsibilities, see the ACC Student Handbook,
https://drive.google.com/a/austincc.edu/file/d/0B-EwSafm0XzVd3F5Y1ZXS0x4WUU/view
(Above definitions copied &/or adapted
from http://www.laspositascollege.edu/facultystaff/honesty.php
and from http://www.plagiarism.org/learning_center/what_is_plagiarism.html)
EXAMS
There
are four exams, each consisting of 30 multiple choice questions (no essay
questions). You must take all four exams in order to receive credit for this
course.
Ø Exam questions are taken
from class lecture, the textbook and the Study Guide.
Ø Exams are graded on a
numbered scale with 100% being the highest grade, and anything below 60%
considered a failing grade.
Ø Failure to take an exam
results in a zero for that exam.
MAKE-UP EXAM:
Ø Make-up exams are given
ONLY for DOCUMENTED serious medical issues or problems.
Ø You MUST notify Dr. Thomas
as soon as you know you will miss an
exam. Do not wait.
Ø It is your responsibility
to arrange a make-up exam with Dr. Thomas.
Ø It is your responsibility
to provide medical documentation.
Ø Make-up exams may be
essay, multiple-choice, short-answer, or combination of these.
RE-TEST: If you score below 70% on an exam the first time
it is given (in class), you may take a Re-test.
Ø You may retest ONLY on
Unit Exams 1 through 3.
Ø Retests are taken in the
Testing Center (PIN 706), on whatever day/time is convenient for you.
Ø Review the Testing
Center’s policies at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/
Ø The
highest grade possible on the retest is a 70%.
Ø If you score lower on a
retest than you did on the original test, you’ll receive credit for the higher
of the two grades.
Ø You can retest on exams 1
through 3 on or before May 5th. No
re-testing after May 5th.
Ø There IS NO retest for the
last exam, which is the Unit 4 exam.
RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS
On
a regular basis, Dr. Thomas will distribute research assignments. These
assignments are intended to help you acquire or enhance your skills in the areas
of historical research, documentation methods, and historical writing.
Ø It is YOUR responsibility
to get a copy of the assignment and it is your responsibility to submit these
assignments at the start of class on the due date.
Ø Assignments will be collected
at the start of class on the due date.
Ø Assignments submitted
after the due date will receive no credit.
Exceptions are given for documented serious medical
reasons.
Ø All assignments must be
typed and of a professional quality (i.e., must be stapled and with no tears,
creases, stains, holes, etc.). Cover
sheets or folders are not necessary.
Ø If you don’t own a
computer, there are computers and printers available for your use in any
ACC Library (PIN Library is on the 9th floor).
At
the end of the semester, research assignments will be averaged and this
average will count as one test grade.
YOUR GRADE & HOW YOU EARN
IT
The quality and quantity
of the work YOU do determines YOUR final grade.
There are no “extra credit” opportunities in this course.
Your final grade is
calculated as follows:
Exam 1 grade
+ Exam 2 grade
+ Exam 3 grade
+ Exam 4 grade
+ Research Assignment Average
TOTAL is then divided by 5.
This is your Overall Average.
For students working towards an A, there is an
additional writing assignment, called a Book Analysis
(see Book
Analysis details
in separate handout or on my instructional website).
Ø For the grade of
"A", there are TWO requirements:
1. you must have an overall
average of 85% or above AND
2. you must submit an acceptable
Book Analysis by the submission deadline.
Ø For the grade of
"B" you must have an overall average of 80% or above.
Ø For the grade of
"C" you will have an overall average of 70% - 79%.
Ø For the grade of
"D" you will have an overall average of 60% - 69%.
Ø For the grade of
"F" you will have an overall average below 60%.
Ø For the grade of
"I" (Incomplete), you must have a medical excuse certified by a
physician, sent to Dr. Thomas no later than May 8th, AND you must have
completed and passed at least 3 exams.
·
IMPORTANT:
If your "Incomplete" is not completed by July 5, 2017, your "I”
grade will automatically become an "F" on your transcript. It is your
responsibility to complete the course in time to avoid the "F".
HINTS, TIPS
& ADVICE
Ø PREPARE FOR CLASS: Read the relevant textbook chapter BEFORE
class (see the schedule below) so that you are prepared to contribute to class
discussion.
Ø TEST-TAKING: Read each question very carefully and
completely; know what the question is asking. Read each response.
Eliminate responses that you know are wrong. When you have completed the
exam, go over it again and verify your answers. Answer the questions you know
first, then go back and answer the rest. Answer every question, even if you
have to guess.
Ø WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: Proofread all your typed
assignments for typos, misspellings, incorrect grammar, etc. These types of
errors seriously detract from the quality of your writing assignment and will
result in a lower grade. Read and follow the assignment instructions. Get help
from the Learning Lab (PIN Room 600) if you need help with your general writing
skills or your English language writing skills.
Ø RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS: If you need assistance, consult a reference
librarian or Dr. Thomas. Read the assignment carefully and make sure you
understand what is required.
Ø STUDY GROUPS: When possible, get
together with 2 - 3 other students and form a study group. Work together to
complete the Study Questions, compare answers, quiz each other. Study
groups are a proven, effective means of attaining success in a course. (Collaboration with other students, however,
is not permitted with the research
assignments.)
Ø CLASS POWERPOINT SLIDES: These
are posted to my website after class. I
encourage you to review them and to review your class notes at least once a
week.
Ø SPECIAL NEEDS: Please inform Dr. Thomas
in advance if you require a special testing consideration or any in-class
accommodation. For example, a large-print exam and large-print class materials
will be provided for you if you have a sight
impairment. Request these accommodations
at the beginning of the semester.
Ø YOUR PROFESSOR: Do not hesitate to
consult with Dr. Thomas if you have any questions, doubts or uncertainties.
Call or stop by during office hours, make an appointment, or email at any time.
Seek help early in the semester; don’t wait until the end of the
semester to ask for help.
SEMESTER SCHEDULE - SPRING
2017
Revised Jan 20, 2017
NOTE: There is a Chapter 16 in your textbook, but
Chapter 16 is covered in History 1 - and not covered in this class.
Jan
30 Introduction/Syllabus
Feb
1 The Contested West Chapter
17
Feb
6 Business & Politics in the Gilded Age Chapter 18
Feb
8 - 13 The City & Its Workers Chapter
19
Feb
15 - 20 Dissent, Depression, & War Chapter
20
Feb 22 UNIT
1 EXAM CHAPTERS
17 - 20
Feb
27 – Mar 1 Progressivism Chapter
21
Mar
6 – 8 World War I Chapter
22
Mar 13 - 19 SPRING BREAK College
Closed
Mar
20 From the New Era to Great
Depression Chapter 23
Mar 22 UNIT
2 EXAM CHAPTERS
21 – 23
Mar
27 The New Deal Experiment Chapter
24
Mar
29- Apr 3 The U.S. &
The Second World War Chapter
25
Apr
5 Cold War Politics in the
Truman Years Chapter
26
Apr 10 The Politics & Culture of
Abundance Chapter 27
Apr 12 UNIT 3 EXAM CHAPTERS
24 – 27
Apr
17 - 19 The Sixties Chapter
28
Apr
24 Book Analysis
Assignment Due
Apr 24 Vietnam & the Limits of Power Chapter 29
Apr
26 - May 1 Civil Rights Various
Chapters
May 3 1970s - End of the
Cold War – part 1 Chapters 30
- 31
May 5 (Friday) Retest Deadline (Exams 1 - 3) Testing Center
May 8 1970s - End of the Cold War – part
2 Chapters 30 - 31