Syllabus

SURVEY OF AMERICAN HISTORY: 1877-PRESENT

SPRING 2020
Henderson State University
Dr. Carter

Instructor: Dr. Steve Carter

Office: 209-D
Office Hours: TBA; By Appointment
Phone: (870) 230-5543
E-Mail: carters@hsu.edu
Website: www.drcarterscourses.org
INTRODUCTORY

COURSE OBJECTIVE: Historian Penelope J. Corfield, professor emeritus, University of

London noted: “[U]nderstanding the linkages between past and present is absolutely basic for
a good understanding of the condition of being human. That, in a nutshell, is why History
matters. It is not just ‘useful’, it is essential.”i By this Dr. Corfield means that the study of
History is intrinsically connected to our comprehension and appreciation of humanity and who
we are. We are the product of those who have gone before us and a study of the past
illuminates who we are now and informs us as to our common future.

This is the second of the two-part survey of American history. The course will provide students
with an understanding of the history and development of the United States from the end of
Reconstruction to the present. The course will look the development of government, economics,
and society during the last quarter of the 19th century. The course then traces the evolution of
the United States as it becomes a world power, deals with economic disaster, and tries to solve
social problems in the 20th century. Finally, it covers the United States entering the 21st
Century.

History is not the memorization of dates. In this course, students will explore human
development and culture. Students will be exposed to historical data and learn how to interpret
that data. Students will be involved in doing History.

Students should:
 Gain an appreciation for past and contemporary cultures and their contributions to the
modern world.
 Better understand connections and relationships between various different world
societies.
 Learn to think critically.
 Communicate effectively.
 Participate in society as a concerned, intelligent citizen.ii
Departmental Goals:
Students will:
 Learn to read and use texts and other written materials. This skill is useful in any career
field and/or other scholarly endeavor.
 Learn how to critically analyze Historical literature and what others have written and
also develop their skills in critical thinking and constructing arguments.
 Develop a working knowledge of world civilizations and history from the 1600s to the
present.

COURSE BASICS

FORMAT: Class time will be used primarily for lectures and multi-media presentations,
although time will be set aside for discussion, and pertinent questions are always welcome.

ATTENDANCE: I expect and you should plan on being in class (on time) for each session.
This is important not only for the interaction with the class and the instructor as well as quizzes,
but information covered in class that is not covered in the book might show up on exams.
Experience indicates that students who regularly attend and participate in class generally tend
to do better in the course.

REQUIRED READING:
 THE AMERICAN YAWP (Online: http://www.americanyawp.com/)
 Selected primary documents.
 Selected monographs.
 There will also be optional supplemental readings posted on my course website that will
help you.

GRADING

GRADING: You Are Responsible For Your Own Grade In This Course! I don't give grades, I
just assign them. There is 700 points possible in this course. (400 pts. Examinations; 150 pts.
Quizzes/Assignments; 100 pts. World War II Project; 50 pts. Map Examination)

A = 90-100%; B = 80-89.99%; C = 70-79.99%; D = 60-69.99%; F = below 60%

Students are responsible for making sure all graded work is completed and turned in on time.
Examinations: There will be three 100-point midterm examinations during the course of the
semester as well as a final at the assigned time during final week. The final is NOT
comprehensive and will be weighted the same as the midterms. Students will have an exam
about every four to five weeks. Each exam will cover four to five chapters from your text.
Exams will be essay and multiple choice. Before each exam, students should have read (and
reviewed) those chapters and lecture notes covered up to the exam date. In addition, an
examination review will be posted on the course web-site prior to the exam. Students will need
to bring a Scantron sheet and a Bluebook
for each examination. These can be
purchased in the bookstore.

All examinations will count toward your

grade! None will be dropped. However,
the instructor has tentatively scheduled during class time Friday, 24 April 2020 (about one week
before the last day of class) as a Make-up/Retake day. If a student has missed a mid-term exam
during the semester or if a students wants to re-take a mid-term exam and try to get a better
grade s/he will be allowed to at this time only. Students MUST notify the instructor of his/her
intentions to make-up or retake an examination at least one week prior to that date. There are
NO exceptions. This is not applicable to the map exam or quizzes.

Assignments and Quizzes: In addition to the examinations, I will also give 200 points worth of
outside assignments and quizzes. Periodically, I will post assignments on my web-site. 100
points possible. There will be 5 pop quizzes worth 10 points each over your readings and
previous lectures. These will be given randomly throughout the term. 50 points possible.

Minute Papers: From time to time during the semester, the instructor will have the students
free write at the beginning of the period for about 5-10 minutes over the assigned readings
(texts and documents) for the week. The papers will be worth 10 points each. Seven to ten
Minute Papers will be given during the semester. Students will not be allowed to make up the
Minute Paper for any reason. Students’ top five scores will count toward their final grade.
Your best handwriting is required. 50 points possible.

Map Examination: I will be giving you a map examination early on 28 January 2020. You will need
to be able to identify each state in the United States. 50 points.

World War II Project: 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. This was a
pivotal event in American history. As a class, we will commemorate the end of World War II by
putting together exhibits to be set up in the Huey Library during the month of April. Students will
design original exhibits for this. The exhibits will be graded. 100 points possible.

Extra Credit: I will give you a chance to earn extra credit by doing outside projects. However,
you can only earn up to 25 points extra credit. You need to contact me concerning possible
projects for extra credit as all Extra Credit is subject to my approval. All Extra Credit projects
will need to be turned in no later than 23 April 2020. I will NOT accept any after that date! If
you are caught plagiarizing or cheating on your projects, you will forfeit ALL Extra Credit
points you have earned for the course!
 STUDENT CONDUCT

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Academic dishonesty, including cheating on exams, plagiarism, or

having others complete assignments, will absolutely not be tolerated. For a violation of codes
of academic honesty, a student may receive a “0” on the assignment, may receive an “F” for the
course, or may be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs for University disciplinary action. In
any of the above cases, the student will be reported to Dean of Ellis College and a note will be
made on the student’s record. For information on what may constitute academic dishonesty,
refer to the student handbook.

CLASS DISRUPTIONS: THE INSTRUCTOR WILL NOT TOLERATE DISRUPTIONS IN THE

CLASSROOM! You are college students and are expected to act as such in class. Be on time for
class. Do not talk or carry on conversations during lectures. Do not bring headphones,
iPods/MP3 players, cell phones, etc. into class. Texting is not allowed. The use of cell phones
in class for any reason is strictly prohibited. The use of cell phones may result in the
removal of the student from class (see additional cell phone
policy below). Please be courteous to others in the class as they
have the right to a conducive learning environment.

Cell Phone Policy: The use of cell phones for any reason is strictly
prohibited. Students will turn off their phones and put them away
PRIOR to the beginning of class. A student with a cell phone out in
class will be reminded once to put the phone away. After that, the
student may be asked to leave the classroom. Students will not use their phones for notetaking.

OTHER ITEMS

DISABILITY SERVICES: Any student eligible for and needing academic adjustments or
accommodations because of a documented disability should notify either the Disability
Resource Center (DRC@hsu.edu, Foster Hall, 230.5475) or me (in private) so that we can meet
any disability-related academic needs you may have.

NOTE: The Instructor reserves the right to alter this syllabus due to unforeseen events such as
weather related closures of the university or other similar circumstances.

IMPORTANT DATES:
13 January 2020: Classes begin
20 January 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Day—No Classes
28 January 2020: Map Examination
23-27 March 2020: Spring Break
23 April 2020: Exam Make-up/Retake day
Last day to turn in Extra Credit projects
Last day to turn in late assignments for partial credit
4-7 May 2020: Finals Week
CLASS SCHEDULE:

DATE: TOPIC: READING:

Week 1—14 Jan Capital and Labor Am. Yawp Chapter 16
“Cross of Gold” speech (website)
“Gospel of Wealth” (Yawp)
“Omaha Platform” (Yawp)
Week 2—21 Jan Conquering the West Am. Yawp Chapter 17
“Significance of the Frontier” (Yawp)
“Chief Joseph Indian Affairs” (Yawp)
“A Cowboy in Dodge City” (website)
Week 3—28 Jan Life in Industrial America Am. Yawp Chapter 18
“Grady New South” (Yawp)
“Lynch Law in America” (Yawp)
“How the Other Half Lives” (Yawp)
Week 4—4 Feb American Empire Am. Yawp Chapter 19
“White Man’s Burden” (Yawp)
“The Philippine Question” (Yawp)
“The War Prayer” (Yawp)
Week 5—11 Feb The Progressive Era Am. Yawp Chapter 20
“Black Progress”(Yawp)
“How I Became a Socialist” (Yawp)
“Women’s Suffrage” (Yawp)
Week 6—18 Feb World War I and Its Aftermath Am. Yawp Chapter 21
“War Request” (Yawp)
“Sedition Act” (Yawp)
“Goldman on Patriotism” (Yawp)
“Wilson’s 14 Points”(website)
Week 7—25 Feb The New Era Am. Yawp Chapter 22
“Return to Normalcy” (Yawp)
“Klan’s Fight for Americanism” (Yawp)
“Principles and Ideals US Gov’t” (Yawp)
Week 8—3 Mar The Great Depression Am. Yawp Chapter 23
Huey Long (Yawp)
“2nd Inaugural Address” (Yawp)
“I’d Rather Not Be On Relief” (Yawp)
Week 9—10 Mar World War II Am. Yawp Chapter 24
Lindbergh, “America First” (Yawp)
“The Atlantic Charter” (Yawp)
“Executive Order No. 9066” (Yawp)
Week 10—18 Mar The Cold War Am. Yawp Chapter 25
“The Truman Doctrine” (Yawp)
Spring Break
Week 11—31 Mar The Affluent Society Am. Yawp Chapter 26
Brown v. Board of Education (Yawp)
“Separation of Church/State” (Yawp)
 “Migrant Farmer/Imm. Labor” (Yawp)
“Little Rock Rally” (Yawp)
Week 12—7 Apr The Sixties Am. Yawp Chapter 27
“Selma March” (Yawp)
“Voting Rights/Am. Promise” (Yawp)
“Republican Nomination Acceptance
Speech” (Yawp)
Week 13—14 Apr The Unraveling Am. Yawp Chapter 28
“Vietnam Veterans Against the War”
(Yawp)
“Crisis of Confidence” (Yawp)
Week 14—21 Apr The Triumph of the Right Am. Yawp Chapter 29
“Culture War” (Yawp)
“Parents Music Resource Center” (Yawp)
Week 15—28 Apr The Recent Past Am. Yawp Chapter 30
Finals Week 5 May 2020 @ 10:00

iFrom: https://archives.history.ac.uk/makinghistory/resources/articles/why_history_matters.html
iiThese objectives align this course to the broader goals of Henderson State University’s liberal arts
program: In the liberal arts core, students are to learn analytical and critical thinking skills as well as how
to write and communicate; at HSU generally it is anticipated that students will learn how to participate as
a concerned, intelligent citizen, and to appreciate complexity and diversity.

In compliance with the University’s Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) and Liberal Arts Core
(LAC) students who successfully complete the requirements of this course will:

The University – Level Student Learning Outcomes and Goals. SLO

1. Complexity and Diversity: Student will appreciate the complexity and diversity of world
cultures.
2. Technology: Student will understand appropriate uses of technology.
3. Maturation: Student will mature intellectually, emotionally and physically
4. Contribution: Student will participate as a concerned, intelligent citizen
5. Communicate: Students will speak and write effectively.
6. Logic and Critical Thinking Skills: Students will think logically and critically.
7. Physical Universe: Student will understand the physical universe.

Student Learning Goals LAC Liberal Arts/General Education Student Learning Outcomes and Goals:

1. Analytical and Critical Skills: Students will develop their analytical and critical skills.
2. Oral and Written Communication Skills: Students will strengthen their quantitative reasoning
skills.

Social Sciences Dept. Student Learning Outcomes and Goals:

1. Students will understand the nature of historical thinking: Students will demonstrate knowledge
of different aspects of History as a discipline.
2. Writing and Transmission of History: Students will demonstrate effective research skills in the
field of history