History Since 1865 -- HIST 2020
Ms. Wilson
Spring 2007
TH 9:40 - 12:40
Carrier Center Collierville
Phone: 901-678-2515
Fax: 901-678-2720
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.geocities.com/leighann_w_phd2b
Office Hours: 9:00 - 9:40 T,H in open faculty offices, Carrier Center
Course Description
The course will introduce the methods of historical research and interpretation, help students to develop their ability to think critically through an emphasis on reading, writing and discussion. Since this course meets for only seven weeks and must meet the department's requirement of each student writing 3,000 words during the span of the course, it is imperative that students are highly motivated and come to class ready to learn.
Required Course Text
The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People, Boyer, et al., 5th ed., 2005..
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a clear, factual understanding of the development of the United States from Reconstruction to modern times.
2. Discuss and explain the complex political, social and cultural heritage of the United States since Reconstruction.
3. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize historical events, documents and interpretations into meaningful concepts.
4. Understand the mechanics of historical research and inquiry and how it can be used as a tool to study and evaluate the human experience.
Method of Presentation
Class meetings will include lectures, presentatioo of audio-visual materials and group discussions. Students are expected to read the assigned materials prior to each class in order to be properly prepared to contribute to the class. To encourage study of the material before class, unannounced pop quizzes will be given over material relevant to the day's discussion.
Method of Evaluation
Three one-hundred point exams will be given. Each exam will consist of identification, short answer, and essay questions drawn from class discussions and the text. Students are expected to be familiar with the factual material and interpret and explain the material in its historical context. No makeup exams are given. except in the most unusual of circumstances. Students who miss an exam must contact the instructor within 24 hours and have a legitimate excuse with appropriate documentation (which includes official medical or legal documents) to warrant consideration for a makeup exam. Failure to follow this procedure will result in the denial of a makeup exam being given and a 0 being awarded as the exam grade. Grades will also be given for quizzes and outside projects.
There will be a total of 500 points in the course.
The grading system will be:
Three exams: 100 points each (60% of course grade)
Research Project: 100 points (20% of course grade)
Research Paper Proposal: 10 points (2% of course grade)
Research Paper Outline: 40 points (8% of course grade)
Quizzes: 50 points (10% of course grade). Approximately seven such quizzes will be offered randomly during the semester over basic information. If the student is absent on the day of the quiz the missed
work ***cannot **** cannot **** cannot be made up, regardless of the circumstances! This
includes, but is not limited to, university business, health emergencies, work commitments and the like.
Grading Scale
A 450- 500 points (90% or better)
B 400- 499 points (80-89%)
C 350- 399 points (70-79%)
D 300- 349 points (60-69%)
F 299 or fewer points (59% or less)
Note: The instructor does not use the +/- system or give grades of "I" (incomplete) when awarding final grades for the course. Further, she does not offer extra credit assignments or makeup unannounced -- or "pop" quizzes, so don't ask.