SPRING 2013 –  NMSU

 

I.  COURSE NUMBER AND NAME:

 

HISTORY 202G-M02:  INTRODUCTION TO RECENT AMERICAN HISTORY

 

This course is a survey of American history from the end of the American Civil War through the issues and events of the contemporary scene in the United States.  The course will cover the major social, economic, political, diplomatic, and intellectual/artistic trends of American history during the late 19th and 20th centuries.  The approach will be geared towards interpretation rather than mere facts and dates in order to facilitate the understanding of American history coherently.

 

II.  INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

 

Name:  Dr. D. Schneider

Office:  NMSU Main Campus History Department

         Room 254A Breland Hall

Office phone: 575-646-4291

E-mail:  dschneid@nmsu.edu

(Communications with students will only be through their NMSU E-mail address; Canvas will not be used.)

Office hours: 7:30-8:15 AM – Mon and Wed; and by appointment

Class hours:  MWF – 12:30-1:20 PM

Class Location:  HA-206

 

III.  Course Objectives and Outcomes Linkages:

 

The successful student will:

 

-   Analyze and critically interpret significant primary texts and/or works of art (this includes fine art, literature, music, theatre, and film).

-   Compare art forms, modes of thought and expression, and processes across a range of historical periods and /or structures (such as political, geographic, economic, social, cultural, religious, intellectual).

-   Recognize and articulate the diversity of human experience across a range of historical periods and/or cultural perspectives.

-   Draw on historical and/or cultural perspectives to evaluate any or all of the following:  contemporary problems/issues, contemporary modes of expression, and contemporary thought.

-   Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods, social structures, and cultures.

o   Demonstrate knowledge of the chronological flow of history by placing in order a series of significant events.

 

III.  Course Objectives and Outcomes Linkages (cont):

 

o   Demonstrate critical thinking by interpreting events, issues, developments, relationships, and perspectives of recent America.

o   Locate historically significant places and geographic features on a map.

-   Evaluate how American practices and beliefs changed over time.

o   Identify major themes of change (e.g., political, diplomatic, religious, cultural, social, and economic).

o   Recognize and evaluate historical processes.

o   Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources.

o   Discern relevant information from research to distinguish between fact and fiction, and effectively communicate (oral and written) the importance of selected works to course studies.

-   Identify and relate to one another the people and ideas which have contributed significantly to the development of recent America.

o   Demonstrate an understanding of multicultural contributions to recent America.

o   Demonstrate critical thinking skills by writing integrated and coherent essays dealing with peoples and cultural contributions, including differing perspectives of history.

-   Demonstrate an understanding of recent America’s past and how it has shaped its present and will shape its future.

o   Discuss the relationship of the study of history to the development of an understanding of present-day society and current issues.

o   Explain how and why historical interpretations differ and how they are affected by time.

 

IV.  Evaluation Methods:

 

Students will be evaluated in intervals to determine their retention and identification of the material through traditional written testing (e.g., multiple choice, matching, short answer essay and/or essay), in-class activities, essays, and/or research projects.

 

V.  TEXT:

 

This course is primarily lecture driven; therefore, note taking is a must.  Tape recording is not permitted.  The course and readings are based upon required Devine, Robert A., et.al, American Story Volume II: Since 1865, 5th ed., Penguin/Person Longman.  Reading assignments and lectures constitute the questions for the examinations.

 

VI.  EXAMINATIONS:

 

There will be four exams.  They will consist of fill in the blank, matching, brief identification questions, and essay questions.  The final exam is not comprehensive.  The final course grade rests upon a cumulative point system.  You are permitted to make-up only one exam (you were

VI.  EXAMINATIONS (cont):

 

absent on examination date) during the semester.  All make-up exams consist entirely of essay or brief identification questions from assigned readings in the textbook.  Instructor approval and arrangement is required for a make-up exam.  Test reviews will be provided; however, you will be responsible for all lectures and reading assignments.  NOTE:  A student who is tardy for a test will not be allowed to take an exam once a student has handed-in his/her paper.  NO EXCEPTIONS!!  The reason is the test has been compromised.  All make-up exams must be scheduled with the instructor.

 

VII.  COURSE GRADES:

 

A = 400-360                                        EXAMINATION VALUE:  100 pts each

B = 359-320

C = 319-280

D = 279-240

F = 239-000

 

VIII.  TENTATIVE TEST SCHEDULE:

 

a.         February 13                             Chapters

b.         March 6                                   Chapters

c.         April 10                                   Chapters

d.         May 10                                    Chapters

 

Students are expected to be prepared through review of the text material and review of current materials prior to the lecture.

 

IX.  ATTENDANCE POLICY:

 

FORMAT:  This course is primarily lecture-driven; therefore, note taking is a must.  BE ON TIME FOR ALL LECTURES AND EXAMS.  CLASS PARTICIPATION IS MANDATORY, IT IS NOT AN OPTION.

 

Regular attendance is expected; therefore, no points are awarded.  The instructor may refuse admittance to any or all students who come late to class.  Because this is a lecture driven class it is important for students to attend all class meetings.  Class participation is mandatory not optional.  Your final letter grade will be lowered by one letter grade if you have four unexcused absences.  However, if you have six or more unexcused or excused absences your final grade is an “F” regardless of your test scores.  Official documentation is required for your absences.  There is a penalty of minus 5 points for each lecture and/or movies missed whether excused or unexcused.  All documentation must be given to the professor no later than the third exam date.

 

X.  COURSE CALENDAR - HIST 202G-M02

 

Each Friday is a discussion day reserved for individual discussions.  These individualized discussions will be conducted in the classroom, Hardman Hall, Room 206.

 

  (Except January 18, Course Introduction.)

  (Except May 3, 4th EXAM.)

 

Jan 18              Introduction to the course

      21              HOLIDAY (Martin Luther King)

      23              Reconstruction and the New South

      25              DISCUSSION

      28              The Grant Administration

      30              Compromise of 1877 and The Far West

 

Feb  1              DISCUSSION

        4              Industrial Growth and Populism

        6              Crisis in the 90s

        8              DISCUSSION

      11              Manifest Destiny

      13              1st EXAM

      15              DISCUSSION

      18              The Rise of Progressivism

      20              Roosevelt and National Reform

      22              DISCUSSION

      25              Conservation and The Rise of Wilson

      27              America’s Big Stick

 

Mar  1              DISCUSSION

        4              The Great War and A New World Order

        6              2d EXAM

        8              DISCUSSION

      11              The Age of Normalcy

      13              The Age of Normalcy (cont)

      15              DISCUSSION

      18              The Great Depression

      20              The Great Depression (cont)

      22              DISCUSSION

 

 25-29              SPRING BREAK

 

Apr  1              The Changing of the Guard

        3              The New Deal

 

X.  COURSE CALENDAR - HIST 202G-M02 (cont)

 

Apr  5              DISCUSSION

        8              America at War Again

      10              3d EXAM

      12              DISCUSSION

      15              Origins of the Cold War

      17              The Korean War

      19              DISCUSSION

      22              Rise of Modern America

      24              Eisenhower Republicanism and The Ordeal of Liberalism

      26              DISCUSSION

      29              Flexible Response, Counterculture, Militant Minorities,
                            and Nixon’s America

 

May  1             MAKE-UP EXAM

         3             4th EXAM

       10             FINAL EXAM – 1:00-3:00 PM

 

XI.  POLICY FOR ADD, DROP OR “W” A CLASS:

 

Spring 2013 deadlines for full semester classes:

 

            Last day to ADD a course by 5 pm                                        January 29

            Last day to CANCEL a course (with 100% refund)
                        by 5 pm                                                                       February 1

            Last day to DROP a course with a “W” by 5 pm                   March 12

            Last day to withdraw from the university                              April 19

 

Students should have some graded work prior to the last day to drop a class.

 

A point of clarification:  If a student drops by 5 pm on the last day to cancel a class – a “W” will not appear on his or her transcript.  After that date up to the deadline to drop a course with a “W”, it will appear on his or her transcript and they will not receive a refund of any tuition.

 

XII.  AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA):

 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cover issues relating to disability and accommodations.  If a student has questions or needs an accommodation in the classroom (all medical information is treated confidentially), contact:

 

 

 

 

XII.  AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) (cont):

 

Trudy Luken

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) – Corbett Center, Room 244

Phone:  646-6840                    E-mail:  sas@nmsu.edu

Website:  www.nmsu.edu/~ssd/

 

NMSU policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation and protected veterans status.  Furthermore, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment and retaliation.  For more information on discrimination issues, Title IX or NMSU’s complaint process contact:

 

Gerard Nevarez or Austin Diaz

Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) – O’Loughlin House

Phone:  646-3635                    E-mail:  equity@nmsu.edu

Website:  http://www.nmsu.edu/~eeo/

 

XIII.  Academic Courtesy:

 

All students will maintain academic comportment at all times.  Rudeness and/or disrespectfulness towards the professor will result in your involuntary withdrawal from this class.

 

XIV.  Academic Integrity – Plagiarism:

 

Plagiarism is using another person’s work without acknowledgment, making it appear to be one’s own.  Intentional and unintentional instances of plagiarism are considered instances of academic misconduct and are subject to disciplinary action such as failure on the assignment, failure of the course, or dismissal from the university.  The NMSU Library has more information and help on how to avoid plagiarism at http://lib.nmsu.edu/plagiarism/.

 

A note on plagiarism.  "Plagiarism . . . includes but is not necessarily limited to submitting examinations, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, undocumented quotations, computer processed materials, or other material as one's own work when such work has been prepared by another person or copied from another person." (NMSU Student Guild).  Plagiarism is a serious academic offense; students who intentionally commit plagiarism may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see me if you have any questions concerning plagiarism (e.g., whether you should or should not cite a source in your papers).

 

Intentional and unintentional plagiarism is prohibited.  Please see:

 

                        http://www.nmsu.edu/%7Evpsa/SCOC/misconduct.html

 

XV.  Academic Misconduct & Disruptive Behavior:

 

Any academic or non-academic misconduct will be reported to the appropriate administrative official and adjudicated in accordance with the NMSU Student Code of Conduct.

 

XVI.  Intellectual Property:

 

Students are not to tape or otherwise record, and/or photograph (including the use of cell phone pictures and videos) course lectures and materials (i.e., slides) without the expressed permission of the instructor.  For further information see the NMSU Policy Manual, Section 5.94.11, Instructional Materials.

 

XVII.  Use of Student Work:

 

NMSU assesses student work each semester to determine whether or not and to what degree student learning outcomes are being met.  Student artifacts are assessed anonymously; neither the student nor instructor is identified.  Results of assessment projects are reported for entire programs and/or the university as a whole, not for individual students or sections.  Outcomes assessment results are used for curricular revision to assure the NMSU courses are effectively accomplishing course, program and university objectives.

 

NMSU appreciates your cooperation and participation in assessing student learning.  However, if you do not want your work to be considered for random selection, you must notify your instructor in writing before the fifth week of class.

 

XVIII.  Student Concerns:

 

Students with a concern about the class content, conduct, or instructor are asked to approach the instructor first, then Department Chair, then Division Dean, and then University Administrative Officer (in that order, as required).  This will ensure problems or issues can be worked at the lowest level and provide the appropriate level the opportunity to resolve the problem/issue before it is elevated.

 

XIX.  Emergency Alert System (EAS):

 

The university's new Emergency Alert System, a telephone network for disseminating urgent information on the main campus.  The system is being operated and maintained jointly by the campus Police Department, Fire Department, Information and Communication Technologies, and Environmental Health and Safety. Emergency Alert System message can be accessed at: http://www.nmsu.edu/safety/emergency.htm.

 

 

 

 

XX.  NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

 

SLEEPING IS NOT AN OPTIONAL ACTIVITY DURING LECTURES AND MOVIES.

 

Please do not ask the professor for copies of lecture notes or test reviews if you miss a class.

 

NO LAPTOPS WILL BE ALLOWED DURING LECTURES AND MOVIES.

 

PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES THAT DO NOT SUPPORT YOUR BIOLOGICAL LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM PRIOR TO CLASS LECTURE.  FAILURE TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS WILL RESULT IN YOUR INVOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL FROM THIS COURSE.

 

BE ON TIME; IF THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE.

 

Tape recording is not permitted.

 

It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from the class.

 

Please do not bring guests to the class without the professor’s approval.

 

YOU MAY NOT BORROW THE TEXT OR NOTES FROM A CLASSMATE DURING A TEST.

 

 

 

 

 

***ALL ITEMS ON THIS SYLLABUS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.***