United States History II (HIST 1302-7262)
6222-HIST-1302-United States History II-F8B-24275 Houston Community College United States History II Hist 1302-7262 (24275), Spring 2022 Online Instructor: Dr. Segun Obasa Email: [email protected] Office Hours: TBA Course Description and Objectives: Over the course of the semester, we will cover the history of the United States, from the compromise of 1877 to the present day. We will examine integral aspects of U.S. history: topics such as empire-building to America’s participation in the World Wars and the Cold War. In the last part of the class, we will trace the divisions that developed in the culture and politics of the United States as its people sought and failed to reconcile their conflicting senses of American national identity. The two main objectives of the course are: (1) to make students more familiar with the significant events and developments of American history from 1877, and (2) to help students learn to think analytically: that is, in the context of history, strengthen the student’s writing ability, particularly their ability to think and formulate arguments critically. The course draws on popular American history books that offer interpretations of the American story to illuminate the rich textures of the nation’s history as well as the particular challenges faced in its writing. The overarching questions that structure this class are how and when peoples who traced their heritage to America, Africa, and Europe came to think of themselves as “American,” and how American identity evolved as they struggled with one another. REQUIRED RESOURCES: 1. Textbook- The Unfinished Nation by Alan Brinkley. Ninth Edition. ISBN: 9781265740498 2. Monograph I: Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin. Berkeley Anniversary Edition, 2010. ISBN 10: 0451234219 and ISBN 13: 978-0451234216. 3. Monograph II: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2019. ISBN-13:978-1514651001. Grading: Course will be graded on a percentage system. Grades for research papers, essay and other assignments will be based on strengths of arguments, use of specific materials from class readings and lectures, quality of organization, and the student’s ability to demonstrate a grasp of the themes and issues presented throughout the course. Grading Scale: 90-100=A 80-89=B 70-79=C 60-69=D 0-59=F Final Grade Breakdown: • Paper generated from monograph I …………………………… (15%) • Paper generated from monograph …………………………………. (15%) • Midterm Exam .…………………………………………………… (30%) • Quiz..……………………………………………………… ……... (10%) • Final Exam……………………………………………………………… (30%) Total Percentage=100 Monograph paper: Must be 3-5 pages long, double-spaced, have one-inch margins on the left and right sides, and in Chicago Manual of Style. The paper will be generated from assigned monographs, Black Like Me and The Jungle. See the last page of the syllabus for instruction on how to write a paper and Canvas for paper topics. Papers are due in online on April 12 and April 26, 2022. Office hours will not be used to repeat lectures but to clarify points and help with assigned texts. Exams: These will be online examinations. The midterm exam is on April 15, 2022, and the date of the final exam is going to be announced. It is advisable, therefore, that you practice the focus questions in your textbook and that you take notes in class. Lastly, I will be posting practice questions on Canvas from time to time to time so that you may familiarize yourself with the nature of the questions you will be answering in the exams. There will be an online quiz on April 22, 2022. Class Policies: 1. Excused Absences: The only excusable absences are those where a student is participating in a college-sanctioned event (ex. students missing class for a field trip, a student presenting at a conference, or athletes traveling for a sporting event). As college policy stipulates, students missing class for a college-sanctioned event must produce an absence request letter stipulating: 2. the name, date(s), and location(s) of the event(s); 3. the date of departure from campus and the exact time when the student is expected to report for departure; 4. and the date of return to campus and exact day & time that the student will be expected to return to class. Such letters must be provided two weeks prior to the event. Failure to provide such letter in a timely way may lead to your absences not being excused. For unforeseen absences (such as illness or the death of a family member), students may be excused for the absence and missed assignments only if the student provides the proper written documentation (ex. a written note from a doctor explicitly stating the exact date and time when you were unavailable). 2. Religious Holidays: Federal law and college policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of religious belief. It is the policy of Houston Community College to accommodate those who observe religious work-restricted holy days. Students who observe work-restricted religious holy days will be allowed to do so without jeopardizing their academic standing in any course. This course will accommodate students' request(s) for adjustments in course work on the grounds of religious observance, provided that the student(s) make such request(s) in writing during the first two (2) weeks of term. 3. Classroom Etiquette: Houston Community College strives to foster and sustain an environment of inclusiveness that empowers us all to achieve our highest potential without fear of prejudice or bias. We commit ourselves to building an exemplary educational community that offers a nurturing and challenging intellectual climate, a respect for the spectrum of human diversity, and a genuine understanding of the many differences-including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, national origin or military status-that enrich a vibrant metropolitan learning college. Every member of this class is expected to embrace the underlying values of Houston Community College’s vision. Everyone in our class will treat every person, every question, and every idea with respect. Those who fail to do so will be asked to leave the class for that day and will receive a zero on an assignment from that class period. 4. Readings: The readings assigned in this course are mandatory. If you hope to do well in this course, you must keep up with all the readings. During most weeks, students will be assigned a textbook chapter as well as a few shorter primary documents that will be posted on Canvas. Students should complete the assigned textbook readings before Thursday’s class each week. The readings and assignments posted on Canvas will state when a student should have those readings completed. 5. Disabilities: Houston Community College is committed to providing access to programs and services for qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodation to participate and complete requirements for this class, notify me immediately and contact the Disability Resource Center for verification of eligibility and determination of specific accommodations. For more information, go to: http://hccs.edu/district/students/disability-services 6. Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is prohibited at Houston Community College. It is a serious offense because it diminishes the quality of scholarship, makes accurate evaluation of student progress impossible, and defrauds those in society who must ultimately depend upon the knowledge and integrity of the institution and its students and faculty. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Cheating and plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course and will possibly face discipline from the Dean’s office. All work submitted for credit in this class must be original and may not be submitted for credit in any other course, either at Houston Community College or elsewhere. Resubmitting course work that was submitted for credit in another course (whether it is your own or somebody else’s) will result in a failing grade for that assignment and possibly for this course. 7. Electronics: The use of cell phones, mp3 players, laptop computers or similar electronic devices are strictly prohibited during class (except in specific cases where the student has been given explicit permission). Various studies have proven that students who use electronic devices during class retain less information and perform worse than those who do not. Students who obtain permission to take notes on electronic devices can lose this privilege. Do not use the device to browse the internet, check social network websites, do work for other classes, play games, etc. Students who refuse to abide by these rules will be asked to leave the class for the day and will receive a zero on an assignment for that day. 8. Punctuality: You are expected to arrive to class on time. Students who fail to do so may miss assignments or other crucial information, which they cannot make up. Students who are late for an exam or quiz will not be allowed to attempt the assignment and will be assigned the grade of a zero for that particular assignment. Similarly, students who need to leave early should notify the instructor beforehand and sit near the door as to not disturb your classmates. 9. Make-up Assignments: There will be no make-up examinations except for excused absences. If you know ahead of time that you will not be able to take an exam on the scheduled day, then you must let me know beforehand. 10. Course Property: The course’s syllabus, lectures, maps, exams and any other assignments used in this course are the property of Dr. Segun Obasa. They are designed for the exclusive use of the enrolled students in this specific course. As a result, the above may not be recorded or reproduced in any form (including electronically) without the professor’s express written permission. 11. Weather: Plan for class to meet at our regularly scheduled times. If a class is scheduled due to weather, check your email to see if any makeup assignments have been posted. 12. Changes to the Syllabus: The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus when necessary to meet the learning outcome objectives, to compensate for missed classes or schedule changes, or for similar legitimate reasons. Students will always be given appropriate notice of any changes made. 13. Campus Carry: At Houston Community College, the safety of our students, staff, and faculty is our first priority. As of August 1, 2017 Houston Community College is subject to the Campus Cary Law (SB11 2015). For more information, visit the HCC Campus Carry web page at: http://www.hccs.edu/district/departments/police/campus-carry/Links to an external site. 14. TITLE IX OF THE Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. A 1681 ET.SEQ: Title IX of the Education amendments of 1972 requires that institution have policies and procedures that protect students’ rights with regard to sex/gender discrimination. Information regarding these rights are on the Houston Community College website under Students-Anti-discrimination. Students who are pregnant and require accommodations should contact any of the ADA Counselors for assistance. It is important that every student understands and conforms to respectful behavior while a Houston Community College. Sexual misconduct is not condoned and will be addressed promptly. Know your rights and how to avoid these difficult situations. Paper Format: 1. Paper should be no less than 3 pages and no more than 5 pages, typed and double-spaced, and in Chicago Manual of Style. 2. Start with an introduction. Your introduction should be half-page in length and should have your thesis statement. 3. Paper should be analytical, and not just a retelling of the narrative. 4. The best way to do this is by synthesizing the narrative in your own mind and then critically examining such things as the historical content, style and the overall impression the book made on you. 5. Feel free to express your own opinion, but do so clearly. 6. Do not use more than two quotes, and you must cite the source of the quotes 7. Organize and develop the main points you wish to make and re-emphasize them in a conclusion. 8. Write your paper early, be mindful of your spellings and grammar, and proofread your work. 9. Your cover page should have the title of the book in italics, author’s name, and your name 10. Turn in your paper in class because late submission will be penalized. 11. IMPORTANT DATES First paper: Due online on April 12, 2022 Midterm Exam: April 15, 2022 Online Quiz: April 22, 2022 Second paper: Due online on April 26, 2022 Final Exam: TBD
Hist 1302 Spring 2022 (24275) Syllabus