UNITED STATES HISTORY
History 17B (3 units)
Sec. 51559 (M/W 9:20-10:45), Room SS 52

WELCOME!!!

Don't know much about American history but tired of endless lectures?  Well then you've come to the right place.  Who says history has to be boring?  You will embark on a fascinating exploration of the making of modern American society.  Through multi-media lectures, readings, group activities, and non-print media (film, posters, music) this course will investigate the post-Civil War years of American history by examining a wide variety of topics including racial and ethnic politics, popular culture, reform movements, and diplomatic history.

History 17B is a survey of the political, economic, social and cultural development of the Unites States from Reconstruction to the present.  Topics covered include Reconstruction, Native American culture and western settlement, Industrialization, the Progressive Era, World War I, the Twenties, the New Deal, and World War II.  Also covered are domestic, social, and foreign policy issues of the post-World War II period from the 1950s through the 1990s,  including reform movements, Vietnam, the Civil Rights and other ethnic movements, the Feminist Movement, popular culture, and post-Cold War foreign policy.

Required Texts

Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward 2000-1887 (Bedford Books of St. Martin's Press Edition, Ed. by Daniel Borus)
Carnes and Garraty, The American Nation:  A History of the U.S. Since 1865 (Vol. II, 12th Ed)
Ellen Schrecker, The Age of McCarthyism (2d edition, 2001)

Additional reading materials are online at http://timmer.org.  Click on HISTORY 17B from the Home Page and the "Readings" icon on the 17B page.  It is highly recommended that you print these articles/documents/short passages out ASAP in case of periodic and unforeseen downtime of the web page.  You are responsible to have each of these readings completed by their assigned day on the syllabus.

General Class Policies

1. Cell phones and beepers must be turned off in the classroom.
2. Save this syllabus as evidence for transfer to a four-year institution.
3. Class participation and COMPLETING THE ASSIGNED READING by the beginning of each topic are essential to passing this course.
4. Late work is marked down 1/3 of a grade for each day that it is handed in late after the end of class when it is due.
5. Tutoring is available at no charge at Tutorial Services.  It is provided by qualified, trained, students who have been recommended by the faculty.  Contact Tutorial Services in the Library Building or call 741-2038.
6. Quizzes may be administered by the Instructor without warning if he feels students are not keeping up with the readings.  Incorrect answers will be deducted from a student's overall participation grade.
7. Plagiarism/cheating will result in automatic failures for the course and offenders will be referred to the CSSO for disciplinary action.  Familiarize yourself with the campus policy on cheating detailed in the College Catalog under Student Conduct Code, 5.8.19 Policy on Cheating.  (You will find examples of what plagiarism is and how to avoid it at http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html)
8. West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request.  Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.

Credit/No Credit Option

Students wishing to take this class with the Credit/No Credit grade option must inform the instructor in writing no later than the end of the SIXTH WEEK.  Requests for this option WILL NOT be accepted after that time.  See the WVC Catalog under "Academic Regulations and Standards" for more information about this option.

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and punctuality is required and roll will be taken at the beginning of the class.  Tardy students will receive a 1 point reduction from their total grade for each tardy.  More than one absence will constitute a reduction of 2 points for each additional absence.

Web Page

A class web page can be found for History 17B at http://timmer.org.  This page contains the syllabus, lecture outlines, PowerPoint lectures, online readings, and an extensive collection of links covering the topics we discuss in class.  This web page serves as a supplement to the lectures and in-class discussions, not as a substitute.  NOTE:  As a budget saving measure, lecture outlines will NOT be passed out in class.  STUDENTS SHOULD PRINT OUT THE OUTLINES BEFORE LECTURE.

Dates to Remember

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:  Monday, May 21, 9:40 - 11:40

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

SPRING BREAK 3/26 - 3/30

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:  Monday, May 21, 9:40 - 11:40

Suggested Readings in American History