SYLLABUS

This course is a general survey of the United States from Reconstruction after the Civil War to the present. In addition to presenting students with textbook and lecture information about the Nation during this time period, the course aims to introduce them to data, methodology, and concepts which will allow them to operate as better informed and more responsible citizens of an America that is changing at an ever increasing rate. Another major objective of the course is to improve not only students’ reading and comprehension skills but also to develop their ability to do critical thinking, acquire knowledge by using a number of different sources and media, and improve their ability to convey thoughts effectively in writing.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. 4^th

Edition (paperback). Vol. II: From 1865. McGraw-Hill, 2004. ISBN 0-07-293525-1. (Note: purchase of a copy of this major text allows students access to a web site that offers them additional learning opportunities. Purchasers of used copies can call up all except the PowerWeb articles)

Foster, Mark S. A Nation on Wheels: The Automobile Culture in America Since 1945

(paperback). Thomson/Wadsworth, 2003. ISBN 0-15-507542 –X.

Madaras, Larry & James M. SoRelle. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial

Issues in American History. 10^th Edition. (paperback). Vol. II (Reconstruction to

the Present).McGraw-Hill, 2003. ISBN 0-07-285027-2

Rydell, Robert W. Fair America: World Fairs in the U.S. Norton, 2000.

(paperback). ISBN 1-560-983841.

Smith, John David (editor & compiler). When Did Southern Segregation Begin?

(paperback). Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2002. ISBN 0-312-25738-4.

OPTIONAL SOURCE

U.S. News & World Report (a 15-week subscription can be obtained from Dr. Peters for

$8.10 (cash is better than check). (You will find that this is an unbeatable

price for such a subscription. Get your money to him no later than

Wednesday, January 21. Try to have the exact change and make certain that he

records the transaction.)

GRADING, ASSIGNMENTS, AND EXAMINATIONS

Your final grade for this course will be computed in the manner spelled out in my memorandum to you concerning “The Grading System.” See also the “Course Outline” and special handouts for more specific information on the readings and other assignments. You will take four major tests and a final examination. You will also prepare outside of class a paper on old U.S. newspapers or other periodicals and a paper based on a personal interview that you will conduct.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Class attendance is required and is the responsibility of the student. Excessive absenteeism will result in the student’s being asked to withdraw from the course or in the grade of “F.” USC and College policy on attendance will be enforced. This professor does not differentiate between “excused” absences and other absences. An absence is considered an absence.

Should students for any reason miss more than 10 percent of the scheduled classes (five classes for a class that meets three times a week) their grades will be determined by the professor. Students not fulfilling the attendance requirement will receive final grades lower from what they would have received if they had fulfilled the attendance requirement. This lowering of final grades will be done according to the following formula:

0-5 absences = no penalty

6-10 absences = lowered ½ grade

11-15 absences = lowered 1 full grade

16-20 absences = lowered 1 ½ grades

Over 20 absences = Forget it! You fail!

Students are expected to be on time for class and not to leave class early. This professor recognizes that from time to time emergencies do occur, but chronic tardiness and /or early exits will not be tolerated. Three tardies and/or early exits will be counted as an absence. Students with chronic tardiness and attendance problems may be asked to report to the professor and/or other Departmental or College personnel for a conference. If you are ill with a contagious disease, you owe it to your fellow students not expose them to it. Should you suddenly take sick in class, do not bother to ask to be excused to get to the bathroom or to your room. You can explain to me later, and I will probably understand.

BEHAVIOR

This professor prefers to treat students as responsible adults. Disruptive behavior and dress by students, especially in the classroom, will not be tolerated. Students are expected to be courteous to the professor, other Department personnel, and fellow students. Lounging and sleeping in class are not permitted. USC rules also prohibit smoking, chewing, eating, and drinking (anything except water) in the classrooms. Please do not deface the classroom and its contents. Clean up any mess that you make. Violators of these aforementioned expectations may be asked to leave the classroom and to report later to the professor or other Departmental or College personnel for a conversation.

INTELLECTUAL DISHONESTY

Cheating, plagiarism, and all other forms of intellectual dishonesty will not be tolerated.

The penalties for such misconduct can be severe. Those persons who aid and abet cheaters as well as the cheater will be held accountable. See your copy of the Carolina Community or Code of Student Academic Responsibility for specifics. I do not mind students studying together or helping each other and students using the Internet and other learning aids; however, each student needs to do his or her own work on tests and papers.

MY TEACHING SCHEDULE AND OFFICE HOURS -- SPRING 2004

My office is 146 Gambrell Hall. My office telephone is 777-3335 and my office e-mail address is [email protected]. If you should phone and I am not in, please leave a voice mail message so that I can contact you. I generally am more apt, though, to look at my e-mail messages more frequently. If you have urgent business and you cannot otherwise reach me, then call me at home (Chapin address) before 9:30 p.m.

My Office Hours

MWF 8-9; 11-12 and 2:30-3:00

And at other times by prearranged appointment

My Teaching Schedule

MWF 9:05-9:55 HIST 112 (010) 250 Gambrell Hall

MWF 10:10-11:00 HIST 112 (011) 250 Gambrell Hall

MWF 12:20-1:10 HIST 112 (012) 250 Gambrell Hall

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

HIST 112 (010) 9:00 a.m., Monday, May 3

HIST 112 (011) 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 5

HIST 112 (012) 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 4

THE GRADING SYSTEM

TO: My Students in HIST 112 “U.S. History since 1865,” Spring 2004

FROM: K.E. Peters

RE: Your Semester Grade for This Course and Requirements for This Course

Your semester grade is based on a point system, with most of the points being awarded on required work: tests and major papers. A limited number of additional points may be earned by extra work, class participation, and one’s self-evaluation. Attendance also will affect your semester grade.

FOR A “C’ YOU MUST HAVE FULFILLED THE ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS, DONE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, AND HAVE EARNED A MINIMUM OF 700 POINTS.

1) Four major tests, with each test totaling 100 points. (In extreme circumstances make-ups are possible for valid reasons but at times designated by the professor.) Tests will be based on information in the main textbook, on the main textbook’s web site, lecture/discussions, and any other assigned reading. About 20 percent of each test will be from the textbook’s web site. Tests will include short essay questions and “point out the significance” questions; they may also include matching, multiple choice, map, “time-sequence,” and other types of questions.

2) Your personal interview and 750-1500 word original write-up of a person who lived

through and remembers the Great Depression (1929-1943); World War II; the “Red Scare” of the 1950s; the early years of rock ‘n’ roll, drive-in movies, and drive-in restaurants; the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s; the assassinations of key American leaders, e.g. John Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Kennedy, and protests and riots of the 1960s and 1970s; the early space program (1960s -1980s); or the U.S. “police actions” and wars (1950-1993). Your interview can focus on one of the above topics or be an eclectic piece. Your paper should be typed or computer-typed, double-spaced, on 8 1/2” x 11” white or off-white paper (without holes, lines, or ragged edges). The assignment is worth up to 100 points. It is due no later than 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 9. There will be deductions for late papers. The interview paper should have a title page. It should also state the name of the person that you interview, the date and location of the interview and the phone number and address of the person(s) interviewed.

3) Newspaper/periodical research and write-up, which is worth up to 100 points. You are to study an issue of a newspaper , magazine, or other periodical published in the United States for the date of your birthday (or close to it) from the period 1870-1890 and one from the period 1925-1945 for the date of your birthday (or close to it). After carefully examining each issue, you will write an original appraisal of 500-1000 words of what you read and observed in each of the two issues. Your write-up should include your reactions to at least three major articles in each issue and incisive comments on how those newspapers, magazines, or periodicals compare to each other and to those of today. You may want to comment on what you found especially interesting or strange, for example, such things as the format, the type size, the style of writing, the content, the advertisements, pictures (or lack thereof), bias, etc.

Most of you probably will find the newspapers on campus at either the Thomas Cooper Library (for non-South Carolina newspapers) or the South Caroliniana Library (for South Carolina newspapers). You will need to learn how to use microfilm viewers if you do not already know how. Other libraries may also possess old newspapers, and I believe that old newspapers for the time periods can be found on the Internet. The Thomas Cooper Library is perhaps the best source for old magazines and other periodicals. However, other libraries may have runs of them that you can use.

In your write-up you should first list the name and date of the newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, where it was published, and where you viewed it, before you launch into your narrative. Your paper should have a title page, and be typed or computer-typed double-spaced on good-quality 8 ½” x 11” white or off-white paper (no holes, lines, or ragged edges). Your paper is due no later than 3 p.m., Friday, February 27. There will be deductions for late papers.

4) Class participation/citizenship is a grade of up to 100 points that I will award you at the end of the semester. This component of your semester grade takes into consideration such things as attending class regularly and on time, being an attentive and considerate student, and contributing in other positive ways to the tenor of the class.

5) Self evaluation. This is a grade of up to 100 points that you give yourself for your efforts during the semester. This assignment should be typed and turned in no later than the final regular class meeting on Wednesday, April 28. After naming the number of points (up to 100), you then should justify why you are entitled to them.

6) A final written examination will earn you up to 200 points.

A PERFECT RATING ON ALL THE REQUIRED COMPONENTS WOULD TOTAL 1000 POINTS.

You will need a minimum of 750 points for a “C+”; a minimum of 825 points for a “B”; a minimum of 925 for a “B+”; and a minimum of 975 points for an “A.” Students striving for a semester grade of “A” cannot have more than five absences or the equivalent; they also probably will find it necessary to do extra point work.

FOR YOU TO OBTAIN THE POINT TOTAL THAT YOU DESIRE, YOU MAY HAVE TO EARN A NUMBER OF EXTRA POINTS. YOU MAY EARN UP TO 100 EXTRA POINTS. THEY MAY BE EARNED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

1. Volunteer (unpaid) work with political party headquarters, citizens’ lobbies, charitable organizations, etc. will be credited upon my receipt of an official written statement from the person(s) in charge. Two points will be awarded for every hour worked. A maximum of 50 points earned in this manner will be accepted.

2. Attendance at or participation in campus and community lectures, symposia, conferences, debates, media events, etc. which have cultural relevance to American studies. A one-page (minimum) report must be turned in for each such event. In the report you should state the length of the activity. Four points will be awarded for each hour spent. A maximum of 50 points earned in this manner will be accepted.

3. Reading information pertaining to America in books, magazines, newspapers and newsweekly magazines such as U.S. News, Time, Newsweek, etc., viewing films on America, listening to programs pertaining to America on the radio or television, or viewing sources on the Internet that pertain to America. For each hour spent four points will be awarded, provided that they are documented in a log or other way. A maximum of 50 points earned in this manner will be accepted.

4. Interviewing and tours of museums, special collections, historic building and sites. These projects must be documented and have a connection to U.S. history. A maximum of 50 points earned in this manner will be accepted.

5. Other academic endeavors agreed upon in advance by both you and me. Credit is variable up to 25 points.

ALL EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED BY WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2004.

STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO REVIEW THEIR WORK, GRADES, AND PROGRESS WITH ME AT ANY APPROPRIATE TIME THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER

IMPORTANT USC DATES

Monday, January 12 Classes begin

Friday, January 16 Last day to change a course schedule or drop without a grade of “W” being recorded

Monday, January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no classes)

Friday, February 2 Last day to apply for May graduati

Monday, February 23 Last day to drop a course without a grade of “WF” being recorded; last day to elect pass/fail option

Monday, March 1 Midpoint in semester

Saturday-Sunday, March 7-13 Spring Break (no classes)

Monday, April 12 Advisement starts for Summer and Fall 2004

Thursday, April 15 Awards Day on Horseshoe (2 p.m.)

Wednesday, April 28 Last day of classes

Thursday, April 29 Reading Day

Friday, April 30-Friday, May 7 Final Examinations

Friday & Saturday, May 7 & 8 Commencement

COURSE OUTLINE

DEADINES FOR PAPERS

Newspaper/periodical research write-up Friday, February 27

Interview paper Friday, April 9

DATES FOR TESTS (these dates may be changed)

Test No. 1 Friday, February 6

Test No. 2 Friday, March 5

Test No. 3 Friday, April 2

Test No. 4 Wednesday, April 21

Note: On tests students are responsible for information covered in class as well as information contained in the readings and on the website for The Unfinished Nation.

MATERIALS FOR TEST NO.1 (January 12-February 5)

Note: Remember to study your class notes & the website (for additional material for chapters in The Unfinished Nation).

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 15 “Reconstruction and the New South”

Taking Sides, Issue 1: Was It Wrong to Impeach Andrew Johnson?

When Did Southern Segregation Begin? (read the entire book!)

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 16 “The Conquest of the West”

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 17 “Industrial Supremacy”

Taking Sides, Issue 2: Was John D. Rockefeller a Robber Baron?

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 18 “The Age of the City”

Taking Sides, Issue 4: Was City Government in Late Nineteenth-Century

America a “Conspicuous Failure”?

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 19 “From Stalemate to Crisis”

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 20 “The Imperial Republic”

Taking Sides, Issue 5: Did Yellow Journalism Cause the Spanish-American War?

MATERIALS FOR TEST NO. 2 (February 9-March 4)

Note: Remember to study your class notes & the website (for additional material for chapters in The Unfinished Nation).

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 21 “The Rise of Progressivism”

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 22 “The Battle for Reform”

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 23 “America and the Great War”

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 24 “The New Era”

Taking Sides, Issue 7: Was the Klan of 1920s an Extremist Movement?

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 25 “The Great Depression”

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 26 “The New Deal”

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 27 “The Global Crisis, 1921-1941”

Taking Sides, Issue 9: Was Information about the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Deliberately Withheld from the American Commanders?

MATERIALS FOR TEST NO. 3 (March 15-April 1)

Note: Remember to study your class notes & the website (for additional material for chapters in The Unfinished Nation).

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 28 “America in a World War”

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 29 “The Cold War”

Taking Sides, Issue 10: Did Communism Threaten America’s Internal Security

After World War II?

Taking Sides, Issue 11: Should President Truman Have Fired General

MacArthur?

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 30 “The Affluent Society”

Taking Sides, Issue 12: Was Dwight Eisenhower a Great President?

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 31 “The Ordeal of Liberalism”

Taking Sides, Issue 13: Did President Kennedy Effectively Manage the Cuban

Missile Crisis?

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 32 “The Crisis of Authority”

Taking Sides Issue 14: Should America Remain a Nation of Immigrants?

MATERIALS FOR TEST NO. 4 (April 5-20)

Note: Remember to study your class notes & the website (for additional

material for chapters in the Unfinished Nation).

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 33, “From the ‘Age of Limits’ to the Age of Reagan”

Taking Sides, Issue 15: Did President Reagan Win the Cold War?

Unfinished Nation, Chapter 34 “The Age of Globalization”

Taking Sides, Issue 16: Will History Consider William Jefferson Clinton a

Reasonably Good Chief Executive?

Taking Sides, Issue 17: Is America Entering the Twenty-first Century in a Period

of Decline?

A Nation on Wheels (read the entire book!)

Fair America (read the entire book!)