United States History Since 1877 - Augusta University

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Georgia Regents University

History 2112: United States History Since 1877 “Freedom and Civil Rights in American History 1877-Present”

Spring 2014

January 6, 2014

Instructor: Dr. Perzavia T. Praylow

Office Hours: Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. & By Appointment

Office: E213 Allgood Hall Office Phone: 706-667-4564

Email: [email protected]

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is a survey of the major political, social, economic, and cultural developments in the United States

from 1865 to the present. This course is designed to provide students with the framework and background

necessary to be able to analyze the nation’s history since Reconstruction. By examining important events,

trends, and people in modern America, students will learn to develop analytical, reading, and writing skills. Specifically this course surveys the expanse of social, political, economic, and cultural forces that shaped the

development of the United States in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. To this end, this course not

only attempts to draw attention to the broad trends and key figures of these times but to examine their impact

on ordinary Americans. Topics to be covered in this course include western expansion, modernization and

industrialization, World Wars I and II, the Great Depression and the New Deal, the Cold War at home, the

Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, the rise of conservative America, and the post-September 11th

world. Questions asked and debated during class and in our readings will include: What social, cultural, and

political realities define “America”? What does it mean to embrace democracy and freedom in America? How

has the American experiment with liberty been both a constructive and contested one?

Exploring the notion, possibilities, and limitations of “liberty” in modern America is the first objective of this

course. Our second objective is learning how to think like historians. We will spend time discussing,

examining, and practicing the processes of interpreting and writing history. In this course you will engage

historical analysis by interpreting “primary” and “secondary” sources. You will also apply your new skills to

the writing of short essays.

OBJECTIVES

As a History course, this class will help you:

Gain a solid understanding of the history of modern America

Demonstrate an understanding of both the different experiences and the commonalties people

from a multitude of backgrounds faced.

Be able to trace important events and themes in U.S. history and critically analyze decisions that

affect such events.

mailto:[email protected]

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More generally, this course will also help you to do the following:

• Learn how to conduct research.

• Think analytically about social phenomena.

• Write a clear, concise, and organized paper.

• Present ideas orally in a clear, concise, and organized fashion.

• Understand and evaluate evidence related to social issues.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of the United States.

• Demonstrate knowledge of major historical periods and social trends.

• Demonstrate an understanding of various cultural perspectives.

• Comprehend the social origins and significance of the diversity of human behavior.

As a KNIT-participating course, by the end of the course, students should also be able to:

• Identify some of the methods and questions that distinguish this academic discipline’s approach to

knowledge

• Apply some of those methods and questions to analyze a primary source or specific problem and

explain its meaning

• Express that analysis coherently in writing

REQUIRED TEXTS

Please purchase a copy of the required course book. Please make sure that you purchase the correct

volume/edition. Students are required to have the correct volume/edition for the following required main

course book:

Nancy A. Hewitt and Steven F. Lawson, Exploring American Histories: A Brief Survey with Sources, Volume

2, Since 1865. Boston, MA: Bedford St. Martin Press, 2013.

Robert Frakes, Writing for College History, Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.

KNIT Readings

http://spots.gru.edu/wkisting/knit.htm

TEACHING METHODS:

Lecture

Critical Dialogue

Multi-Media Presentations

Group Discussion

COURSE EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to arrive to class on time.

Students are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct and the Academic Honesty Policy

Students are expected to participate and to be attentive in class.

Students are expected to complete all reading and writing assignments.


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PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism and cheating of any sort will not be tolerated and are against University policy. Plagiarism is

defined as, “the appropriation or imitation of the language, ideas and thoughts of another author and

representation of them as one’s original work.” Also be mindful that only correct and thorough citation of

evidence can be counted as referencing material. Please understand and adhere to the Academic Honesty

Policy in the Student Catalog.

THE WRITING CENTER

The mission of the Writing Center is to help students become better writers. By offering free peer

consultations to guide students through the writing process, the staff empowers students to make well-

informed decisions about their texts. The GRU Writing Center supports student writers by providing them

with one-on-one writing consultations. The Writing Center is governed by the following assumptions:

Every student has a unique learning style and benefits from individualized writing instruction.

Every student can sharpen his or her writing skills with hard work and practice.

Good writing and communication skills are necessary for academic success, regardless of discipline.

Their phone number is 706-737-1402. The website for the Writing Center can be found at

http://www.gru.edu/colleges/pamplin/writingcenter/. The hours of operation are Monday – Thursday

8:00am-8:00pm and Friday 8:00am-1:00pm.

TESTING AND DISSABILITY SERVICES: To insure that disability-related concerns are properly addressed, students with disabilities who require

assistance should contact the instructor as soon as possible. You should also contact the department of Testing

and Disability Services located in Galloway Hall. Their phone number is 706-737-1469. The website for

Testing and Disability Services can be found at http://www.gru.edu/admin/tds/. The hours of operation are

Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

THE COUNSELING CENTER

The Counseling Center provides free individual counseling services to currently enrolled GRU students and

GRU employees using a brief counseling model for short term counseling. Brief counseling is often effective

for common issues faced by college students and employees, and using this model allows us to serve a greater

number of clients with our available resources. Most clients attend about 4 to 5 sessions. The Center provides

up to 12 individual 50 minute sessions per 12 month period for clients who will not be better served by an off-

campus referral for more long-term, intensive counseling or specialized psychiatric care. Clients identified as

needing a referral will be assisted with locating an appropriate off-campus mental health provider. Their phone

number is 706-737-1471. The website for the Counseling Center can be found at

http://www.gru.edu/admin/counseling/. The hours of operation are Monday – Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.

http://www.gru.edu/colleges/pamplin/writingcenter/

http://www.gru.edu/admin/tds/

http://www.gru.edu/admin/counseling/

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GENERAL POLICIES:

Throughout this semester, we will work collaboratively to understand the complexities of the ideas presented

in course readings and in class discussions. The material covered in this course at times can be sensitive and

students should respect the opinions of their colleagues during class discussions. As such, please be

considerate of the views of others. Though every voice is important, it is just as important to express

viewpoints in relationship to course material. Also, please note the following:

The instructor does not post lecture notes or power point presentations on D2L.

The instructor does not email lecture notes or power point presentations to students.

Failure to hand in assignments may result in failure of the class.

Papers and other written assignments are not accepted via email.

Grades will not be given out via email at the end of the semester.

Please turn off cell phones, portable computers and other electronic devices or consult instructor.

Web-surfing and communication via text-messaging and cell-phones are prohibited.

NOTES ON TECHNOLOGY:

The lecture and discussion content of this course is the intellectual property of the instructor. As such, the use

of tape recorders, cell phones and other methods of recording are prohibited unless arrangements have been

made with Testing and Disability Services and the Instructor.

Email & Communication:

Email is not a substitute for office hours. The instructor is an advocate of contact with students during office

hours. Email will be used to alert class members to schedule changes, announcements for lectures on campus,

or any other miscellaneous issues that relate to the course. Please be courteous over email and try to save

questions for class discussions so that everyone can benefit from the response. Assignments are not accepted

via email. The instructor will answer email as soon as possible between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Unless instructed differently, please address the instructor as Prof. Praylow or Dr. Praylow in both email and

face to face communication.

Desire 2 Learn:

In this course, Desire 2 Learn (D2L) --a course management system-- will be used primarily to track student

academic progress throughout the semester. In addition to being distributed in class, description of

assignments will be posted to D2L. Also, you will be able to print a copy of the syllabus should you lose the

original. Helpful student resources and websites have also been posted to the main D2L webpage for this

course. Please do not use discussion boards to voice your personal concerns with your colleagues or the

instructor. Please speak with the instructor directly. Use this space to encourage a healthy academic dialogue.

The instructor reserves the right to dismantle the discussion board function if it is contributing to a hostile

learning environment. Finally, in addition to email, Desire 2 Learn will be used to alert class members of

schedule changes and other important issues related to this course. Students will also be required to complete

assignments online with Desire 2 Learn as noted in the reading/assignments schedule at the end of the syllabus

or as stated in class. Specifically, students will be required to post written assignments as indicated.

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REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING POLICY

I. Assignment Percentage Points & Due Dates The final grading policy for this course consists of letter grades. However, assignments and

exams are based on a percentage system with an overall course total of 100 points or 100 percent.

Requirement Percentage Points Due Date Attendance 10% Ongoing

Participation 10% Ongoing

Quizzes 10% TBA

Primary Source Document Analysis:

Document Analysis Paper #1 5% Friday, February 28

Document Analysis Paper #2 5% Friday, April 18

Exams:

Exam #1 (Chapters 14-18) 20% Friday, February 21

Exam #2 (Chapters 19-23) 20% Monday, March 31

Exam #3 (Chapters 24-29) 20% Monday April 28-Tuesday May 2

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II. Description of Course Requirements: Learning is an interactive process and every classroom encounter is potentially a “teachable moment.” The

instructor’s purpose is not only to transmit information and knowledge, but also to facilitate learning. This involves

encouraging students to share the knowledge they bring to the classroom, make the subject matter relevant to their

own experiences, and essentially “find their voice.” Class meetings will therefore alternate between formal lectures

delivered by the instructor and informal classroom discussions. Class lectures will also incorporate other means of

instruction and learning. Please keep all copies of papers and exams until after your final grade has been posted.

To succeed in this course, it is vitally important that you attend weekly lectures, complete all assigned readings and

writing assignments and actively participate in discussion. Prof. Praylow will use the weekly lectures to provide

you with her analysis of important themes and events in American History. The weekly topics covered in lecture

will be used to guide participation and discussion. Through discussion, students will talk to the course instructor

and each other about lecture, readings, papers and assignments. The weekly lectures and discussions will prepare

you to successfully complete all assignments.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory and students are expected to attend each class session. However, throughout the semester,

you can miss 3 class sessions without penalty. Every absence after 3 automatically deducts 3 points from your

final grade. For example, if you miss 6 total absences, that would subtract 9 points from your final grade. In this

course, I do not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences except in rare cases related to death or a

long term illness. This policy is not flexible. For every class that you miss beyond 3 class sessions, your final

grade point average will be deducted by 3 points. Please use discretion when you are absent from class.

Attendance will be recorded.

Participation

Regular engaged participation in this is course expected. You should be an active member of the class. I will

make notes throughout the semester on who made “good” comments in the course. Speaking for the sake of

speaking does not necessarily show critical student participation. Students should draw from their understanding of

assigned course reading when make contributions to discussion. Participation also includes completing required

homework assignments announced in class. Participation counts as 10% of your course grade.

Pop Quizzes/Scheduled Quizzes Short quizzes will be given in class to evaluate your consistent reading and understanding of assigned course content.

These quizzes are worth 10% of your overall grade. The quizzes will consist of short answer identifications (who, what,

when, where, why, and significance), multiple choice questions and/or short essays. Quizzes may or may not be

announced in class.

Primary Source Document Analysis

The historical analysis of primary sources is an important learning objective for this course. Write a 4 page analysis of

any written primary document (a speech, a newspaper editorial, an organizational manifesto, a sermon, diary entries,

published lyrics to a popular song, etc.) published/written between 1861 and 1935 for Document Analysis #1 and

published/written after 1935 for Document Analysis #2. Your primary document must be approved by the course

instructor. Summarize the main ideas raised in this document. Drawing on classroom lectures, discussions and readings,

discuss the historical context in which the document was written, published, sung, etc. What does this primary document

tell us about how American people lived and thought at that particular historical moment? Does the document have

historical significance today, and if so, what? Attach a copy of your chosen primary document to the paper. The

instructor and a research librarian at the Resse Library will provide students with a reference list for identifying possible

primary sources. Additional instructions and guidelines for Document Analysis #1 and Document Analysis #2 will be

distributed in class. Analysis papers comprise 10% of your course grade.

Sources:

1 Primary source, 1 Journal Article, Scholarly Book and Hewitt/Lawson Textbook Exploring American History. Due Dates: Document Analysis #1—Friday, February 28 Document Analysis #2—Friday, April 18

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Examinations

The class is divided into three different exam periods. At the end of each period, you will have an exam. You

will take three examinations in this class. Each exam will cover all readings, lectures and discussions. Each

exam is worth 20% of your overall grade average. Each exam will be timed and may be given in class or via

the D2L course management system at the discretion of the instructor. Each exam will consist of multiple

choice and short answer historical identifications and one or more substantive essay questions related to

course themes.

Examination Dates:

Exam#1 – Friday, February 21

Exam#2 – Monday, March 31

Exam#3 – Mon-Thursday, Monday April 28-Tuesday May 2

Extra Credit Policy:

Students will be allowed to receive up to a maximum of 2 points in extra credit by attending academically

related events outside of the class and completing a written analysis of that event. Each extra credit

assignment is worth 1 percentage point towards your final grade. For extra credit, please attend approved

events only. The instructor will announce approved extra credit events in class. Approved events may be

sponsored by the History, Philosophy and Anthropology Department, Gender & Women Studies or other

departments throughout the GRU campus.

For extra credit events attended, please write a 3 page reflective response paper related to the themes of the

course. Additionally, please answer the following question: How does this lecture/event/discussion relate to

the American experience? Please support your reflective response with cited arguments from any of the

assigned readings including the main course textbook - Exploring American History. Finally, extra credit

papers are due no later than one week after the extra credit event is attended.

III. Grading Policy

The final grading policy for this course consists of letter grades. Assignments and exams are based on a

percentage system with an overall course total of 100 %. Your course grade will be reflected in how you

perform on quizzes, your exams, all written assignments and your frequency of attendance. Examinations will

be drawn from lectures, assigned readings, discussions, films, and any other assignments.

In general, late papers and assignments, without prior approval from the instructor, will not be accepted. All

absences from an exam/assignment deadline which the instructor has not consented to within 72 hours before

the designated time of the exam/deadline, will result in a “0” for that assignment. The instructor must

approve requests for make-up exams and extensions 72 hours in advance of the scheduled assignment.

Please keep all assignments and papers until the final course grade is posted at the Registrar’s office.

Cheating, plagiarism (of another’s work), and self-plagiarism will serve as grounds for dismissal from class.

Grade appeals must be submitted in writing 48 hours after the student received the results of their assignment.

This ensures that they carefully read the comments prepared by the instructor. Once they have read and

considered the comments, students can present an explanation for a re-grade. Students who wish to appeal

their grade must do so within one week after the assignment was returned and must also submit the original

paper, test or assignment with the written appeal. Appeals that do not follow these criteria will not be

considered.

Grade Scale

The following grading scale will be employed in this class.

A: 90-100 B: 80-89 C: 70-79 D: 60-69 F: Below 60

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IV. SCHEDULE OF READINGS & WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

(Readings should be read in the order in which they are listed. All assignments are due on the day on which they are

listed. This syllabus is subject to change in order to allow flexibility for the students’ reading and writing assignments.

The instructor will provide advanced notice of changes.)

Date Lecture Topics

& Give Me Liberty

Reading

Required Reading Assignments

Due

January 6, 2014

(Monday) Course Overview & Introduction

January 8

(Wednesday) Lecture Topic:

“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of

Happiness: The Foundation of Civil

Rights in Our Nation’s Past”

Learning Development:

*How To Succeed in History 2112

*Learning Resources at GRU:

The Library

The Writing Center

The Counseling Center

The Career Center

KNIT Readings:

Type the following into a web browser: http://spots.gru.edu/wkisting/knit.htm

Click on “The American Experiment”

For the following Readings:

Required Reading

Jefferson et al, Declaration of

Independence, 1776

Douglass, Narrative of the Life of

Frederick Douglass, 1845

January 10

(Friday) Lecture Topic:

“The Civil War: The End of Slavery

or the Preservation of the Union”


*Effectively Reading

Primary Sources

*Effectively Reading

Secondary Sources

*Learning Resources at GRU:

D2L Overview

KNIT Readings:


Click on “The American Experiment”

For the following Readings:

Required Reading

Madison, On Constitutional Government,

1787

Required Reading

Lincoln, Address at Cooper Institute, 1860

Or

Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, 1861



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Date Lecture Topics

& Give Me Liberty

Reading


Due

January 13

(Monday) Lecture Topic:

“The Challenge of Reconstruction”

Exploring American History

Chapter 14, pages 424-444

“Emancipations and Reconstructions,

1863-1877”

KNIT Readings:


Required Reading

Marx/Engels, Writings on the American

Civil War, 1861

January 15 (Wednesday)

Lecture Topic:

“The Retreat from Reconstruction




1863-1877”

January 17

(Friday)

Chapter 14: Document Project

“Testing and Contesting Freedom”


*Engaging Primary &

Secondary Sources

*Chapter 14 Primary Source Analysis




1863-1877”


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Date Lecture Topics

& Give Me Liberty

Reading


Due

January 20

(Monday) CLASS CANCELLED—

MLK Holiday

CLASS CANCELLED—

MLK Holiday

January 22

(Wednesday)

Lecture Topic:

“The Contested and Transformed Plains”



“Frontier Encounters, 1865-

1896”

January 24

(Friday)

Lecture Topic:

“The Contested and Transformed Plains,

Continued”



January 27

(Monday) Lecture Topic:

“The Rise of American Industry”



“American Industry in the

Age of Organization, 1877-

1900”

January 29

(Wednesday)

“The Jim Crow South” Exploring American History


January 31

(Friday)


“Debates About Laissez-Faire”



February 3

(Monday)

Lecture Topic:

“Workers, Farmers and Labor Unrest in the

Industrial and Gilded Age”

In Class Overview/Instructions Re:

Document Analysis Research Paper#1



“Workers and Farmers in the

Age of Organization, 1880-

1914”

February 5

(Wednesday)

Lecture Topic:

“The Rise and Fall of American Populists”





February 7

(Friday)

In Class Library Research Overview

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Date Lecture Topics

& Give Me Liberty

Reading


Due

February 10

(Monday)

Lecture Topic:

“The Rise of the American Metropolis—

Cities, Immigrants and an Urban Nation”



Review for Exam# 1



“Cities, Immigrants and

Nation, 1880-1914”

February 12

(Wednesday)


“Melting Pot” or “Vegetable Soup?”

Review for Exam# 1



February 14

(Friday)

Review for Exam# 1

Primary

Document for

Primary

Analysis

Paper #1 Due

February 17 (Monday)

Primary Analysis Paper #1

Individual Student Research

in the Library

February 19

(Wednesday)

Primary Analysis Paper #1


in the Library

February 21

(Friday) Exam 1: Chapters 14-18

Exam #1

February 24

(Monday)

Lecture Topic:

“Progressivism & The Reform of American

Society”



“Progressivism and the Search

for Order, 1900-1917”

Primary

Document for

Primary

Analysis

Paper #2 Due

February 26

(Wednesday)

Lecture Topic:

“Progressivism & The Reform of American

Society, Continued”



“Progressivism and the Search

for Order, 1900-1917”

February 28

(Friday) Lecture Topic/Assignments:

Group-Work/Lecture Overflow”

Document Analysis Paper #1 Due

Document

Analysis

Paper #1

Due

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Date Lecture Topics

& Give Me Liberty

Reading


Due

March 3

(Monday)

Lecture Topic:

“The Rise of American Imperialism”



“Empire and Wars, 1898-

1918”

March 5

(Wednesday)

“American Fights the Great War at Home

and Abroad”



March 7

(Friday)

Chapter 20: Document Analysis

“Imperialism versus Anti-Imperialism”



March 10

(Monday)

Lecture Topic:

“The Roaring 20’s and the Clash of Culture”



“An Anxious Affluence,

1919-1929”

March 12

(Wednesday)

“The Roaring 20’s and the Clash of Culture,

Continued”



“An Anxious Affluence,

1919-1929”

March 14

(Friday)

Lecture Topic:

“1929’ and The Great Depression”



“Depression, Dissent and the

New Deal, 1929-1940”

March 17

(Monday)

“FDR’s New Deal”



March 19

(Wednesday)

Lecture Topic:

“WWII: The U.S. Invasion of Fortress Europe” Exploring American History


“World War II, 1933-1945”

March 21

(Friday)

“WWII: The Home Front & Visions of

Post-War Freedom”



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Date Lecture Topics

& Give Me Liberty

Reading


Due

March 24

(Monday)

Lecture Topic:

“Fighting the Cold War & The Korean War”

Exam 2: Review



“The Opening of the Cold

War, 1945-1954”

March 26

(Wednesday)

Peacetime Challenges 1945-1948”

Exam 2: Review



March 28

(Friday) Primary Analysis Paper #2


in the Library

March 31

(Monday)

Exam 2: Chapters 19-23

Exam #2

April 2nd

(Wednesday)

Lecture Topic: “An Affluent Society, Post-War Prosperity and

Second Wave Feminism”



“Troubled Innocence, 1950-

1961”

Primary

Document for

Primary

Analysis

Paper #2 Due

April 3rd

(Friday)

Lecture Topic:

“Beyond Affluence: Cultural Transformation

and the Push Towards Civil Rights”



April 7-April 11

(Monday-Friday)

Class Cancelled: SPRING BREAK

April 14

(Monday)

Lecture Topic:

“The 1960’s: The Civil Rights Movement and

The Vietnam War”



“The Liberal Consensus and

Its Challengers, 1960-1973”

April 16

(Wednesday)

Lecture Topic:

“Contesting The Great Society: Movements on

the Left and the Antiwar Resistance”



April 18

(Friday)


“Liberalism and Its Discontents



Document

Analysis

Paper #2

Due

14

Date Lecture Topics

& Give Me Liberty

Reading


Due

April 21

(Monday)

Lecture Topic:

“The 1970’s: Continuing Revolutions,

New Campaigns for Equal Opportunity

and the Challenges of the 1970’s



“The Conservative

Ascendancy, 1968-1992”

April 23

(Wednesday)

“The Triumph of Conservatism &

Farewell To The Cold War”

Course Evaluations



“The Conservative

Ascendancy, 1968-1992”

April 25

(Friday)

Lecture Topic:

“America in the Post September 11 World and

the Age of Obama”

Exam 3: Review



“The Challenges of a New

Century”

April 28

(Monday)

FINAL EXAM:

EXAM #3: Chapters 24-29

TBA

(Monday April 28-Tuesday May 2)

United States History Since 1877 - Augusta University

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