Syllabus/Schedule

American History II
AMH 2020-601-F11
Semester: Fall, 2011 Time: Monday and Wednesday, 2 3:25 pm Place: Davis 215 Professor: David Lee McMullen, Ph.D. Email: dlmcmull@mail.usf.edu Office phone: 727-873-4798 Office: Davis 266 Office hours: Monday and Wednesday, 10 -10:30 am and 1-1:30 pm; Tuesday, 1-1:30 pm; and by appointment. Course Objective: This course is part of the USF St. Petersburg General Education Core Curriculum, within the category of Historical Perspectives. Build upon selected readings, classroom lectures and discussions, examinations and other assignments, this course is designed to provide students with an overview of the most important events, prominent individuals and key issues associated with United States History from the end of Reconstruction (1877) to the present, as well as why this information is important to the understanding of modern day America. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated a basic understanding of the American experience during this time period, as well as the ability to understand primary historical records in order that they may build upon this knowledge in the future. For General Education purposes, a successful student is defined as one who achieves a final grade of C or higher. Required Textbooks: There are two required books. They are: 1. Oakes, Of the People: A History of the United States, Concise Edition, Volume 2 (ISBN 0195390741). 2. Our Document: 100 Milestone Documents from the National Archives (ISBN 019517206X) If Oakes is purchased new from the campus book store, Our Documents will be bundled with it for no additional charge. Both books are published by Oxford University Press, New York. Reading Assignments: The readings are there to provide students with the background needed to intellectually engage with the course lectures. Students who keep up with the readings will find the course to be

significantly more valuable to them as individuals and that their final grade is almost certain to be higher. Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class meetings, as the course lectures are a primary learning experience associated with this course. Students are advised that examinations will include material covered in class that is not in the book, and material included in the book which is not necessarily discussed in class. Class: Class will consist primarily of lectures by the professor, which may occasionally include audio/visual accounts and documentary films directly connect to the topic at hand. All PowerPoint presentations used in class will be posted on Blackboard to assist students in preparing for course examinations. Examinations: There will be three examinations covering the following time periods and chapters. First exam 1877 to 1914 Chapters 17-21 Wednesday, September 21 Second exam 1914 to 1950 Chapters 22-26 Wednesday, November 2 Third exam 1950 to the Present Chapters 27-31 Final Exam time (TBA) Document Analysis Assignment: Students are to select two documents from the time period covered by this course (1877 to the Present), provide a brief explanation of why each document is of significance and how the two documents are related. The purpose of this assignment is for the student to demonstrate their ability to understand the documents, the historical significance of the documents, and how the two documents are interrelated. This assignment must meet basic university level standards with respect to the mechanics of good writing. It also must be typed, double-space, in an easy to read 10 or 12 point typeface, printed in black ink. There is no minimum or maximum length. The completed assignment is due NO LATER THAN Wednesday, November 16. It may be turned in earlier. Final Grade: The final grade for the course will be computed from four sources the three examinations (30% each) and the document analysis (10%). There are no extra credit assignments. Once final grades have been submitted to the university registrar, they will not be changed, except in the case of incompletes or an error by the professor. Electronic Equipment: STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO USE ANY ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT IN CLASS. THIS INCLUDES COMPUTERS, PHONES, CAMERAS AND AUDIO AND/OR VIDEO RECORDING DEVICES. Exceptions to

this rule will be granted to those students who have secured written permission from the Student Affairs Office of Disability Services, or who have been granted specific permission by the professor. Classroom Etiquette: Students should arrive on time, having completed the appropriate reading assignments, intellectually connect with the topic under discussion, and leave only when the class is dismissed. If a student must leave class early, they should advise the professor in advance and leave with a minimum amount of disruption. Students who bring food or drink to class are expected to clean up behind themselves. Blackboard: Students should check Blackboard regularly for class announcements, the course syllabus, lecture notes and grades. Freedom of Speech: Students are encouraged to ask questions and express their opinion concerning the topics discussed in class. However, students are expected to act in a responsible manner, respecting the views of others. Academic Integrity, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment: Students should review USFSP policies concerning academic integrity, discrimination and sexual harassment. These policies are there to protect students, faculty and staff. Cheating: STUDENTS WHO ARE CAUGHT CHEATING WILL RECEIVE A FAILING GRADE FOR THE COURSE. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. Students who see other students cheating are expected to alert the instructor. Problems: Students with a question or a problem related to this course should bring it to the professors attention as early as possible. Please do not wait until the end of the semester. At that point it is almost always too late. Schedule: If changes are necessary, they will be announced in class and on Blackboard. Monday, August 22 Course Introduction Wednesday, August 24 through Wednesday, September 19 Section One 1877 to 1914 Read Chapters 17-21 Remember, Monday, September 5, is the Labor Day Holiday No Class Wednesday, September 21 Exam #1

Monday, September 26 through Monday, October 31 Section Two 1914 to 1950 Read Chapters 22-26 Wednesday, November 2 Exam #2 Monday, November 7 through Wednesday, November 30 Section Three 1950 to the Present Read Chapters 27-31 Wednesday, November 16 Last day to submit the Document Analysis Assignment Exam #3 will be given during the official USFSP final examine time To be announced