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SYLLABUS
UNITED STATES HISTORY FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT
Instructor: Craig Ferguson
History 1493, section: 103
M, W, F: 9:00 - 9:50
Room 3L2 (SSC)
Fall semester, 2010
Office: 1H13 (Main)
Office hours: M, W, F: 7:00 - 8:00 (& by appt.)
Office phone: 787-2588
Main Office: Social Sciences, 1H4
Email: craig.w.ferguson@email.occc.edu craig.w.ferguson@email.occc.edu
Web page: www.occc.edu/cferguson
Course Competencies
1. To explain the contributions of various races to the development
of an US culture, to discuss the place of minorities in existing US
society and to understand the dimensions of US racism.
2. To assess the role that the capitalistic organization of the US economy
had played in developing US strength and affluence and in determining
the interrelationships of various interest groups in the political economy
while analyzing under what conditions the US people have decided whether
their government should play an active or passive role in their lives.
3. To describe where and when the US emerged as both an economic and
political power in international affairs and to assess the part that
the US has played in determining the world in which we live today.
4. To recognize those individuals, both men and women, of various races
who have played significant roles in the history of the country and
to describe their roles.
5. Describe the primary immigrant groups arriving in the US between
1865 and 1965.
6. Provide an account of the effects of industrialization and urbanization,
and the settlement of the West with a special view to exploring the
effect on the environment of Native Americans.
7. To recognize geographic sites and regions which have been important
to the history of the US.
8. Provide an analysis of the effects of the two World War, the Great
Depression, and other major events of the years 1910-1990 on US politics
and society.
Course Description
After analyzing events in American history from 1870 to the present
in such areas as political reform, industrialization, urbanization,
ethnic acculturation and war, the student will be able to identify meaningful
changes in his society, identify equal rights in that society, and help
resolve conflict in this society based on the student’s search
for change, equal rights and conflicts in the American past.
Required Texts
Brinkley, Alan. American History, A Survey. volume 2.
Youngs, J. William T. American Realities. volume 2.
Grading Policy
Your final grade will result from the total number of points received
on weekly quizzes, a book review, and four exams. The quizzes will occur
every week throughout the course and will cover assigned readings from
the text and the supplemental reader. Quizzes will be administered at
the beginning of class, therefore punctuality is paramount. If a student
is not present at the commencement of class, that student will not be
allowed to take that quiz. Moreover, there will be no make-ups for the
quizzes. These quizzes are designed to encourage and reward reading,
thus better preparing students for lecture material. However, to ensure
fairness and compensate for the inevitable unforeseen absences (or tardies),
only ten of the quizzes will count toward ones' grade. Simply, students
will be allowed to drop their five lowest quiz scores. Each of the quizzes
will be worth twenty points, for a total of 200 points, In addition,
the four exams will be worth 100 points each. Make-ups will be provided
for in the testing center for the exams only. All four exams must be
taken in order to pass the course. Make-ups must be completed BEFORE
December 1st.
Book Review: A book review is required for this course. The book review
is worth 100 points. Each student will pick a topic from the syllabus.
It is the student=s responsibility to find an appropriate book that
pertains to a topic that will be discussed in class. The student is
to read the book and write a review of said book in which the student
provides:
1) bibliographical denotation (author, title, publishing info.)
2) statement of author’s thesis
3) examination of thesis
4) RELATE to class discussions
5) the student’s critique/analysis of the book
Thus, the total possible
number of points for this class will be 700. The breakdown by letter
grade will be as follows:
A = 630 - 700
B = 560 - 629
C = 490 - 559
D = 420 - 489
F = < 419
Attendance Policy
As per the policy of the Social Sciences Department at the Oklahoma
City Community College, attendance will be taken. Also according to
departmental guidelines, attendance will affect one’s grade. The
occasional absence due to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances will
be tolerated, however excessive absences for ANY reason will result
in a lowering of one’s grade. Specifically, EACH absence in excess
of six will result in the student’s final point total being reduced
by ten points. For example, if a student has missed ten classes then
that student would lose forty points. Moreover, in an attempt to encourage
punctuality, AN ABSENCE IS DEFINED AS MISSING ANY PART OF A CLASS PERIOD.
Missing part of a class means coming in late, leaving early or at any
point during class for any reason whatsoever, or simply being inattentive
during class (e.g. cell phone interruptions, texting, talking out of
turn, sleeping, doing homework for another class, etc.). Determining
attendance will be subject to my prerogative. However, in an attempt
to encourage class attendance, if a student has fewer than six absences
then that student will be rewarded by having five points added to their
point total for each absence under six. For example, if a student has
zero absences then that student will receive thirty extra points.
Test and Quiz Schedule
Quiz 1, American Realities, chapter 1: August 30th
Quiz 2, American History, chapters 15 & 16: September 13th
Quiz 3, American History, chapters 17 & 18: September 20th
Exam 1: September 24th
Quiz 4, American History, chapters 19: September 27th
Quiz 5, American History, chapters 20: October 4th
Quiz 6, American History, chapters 21 & 22: October 11th
Quiz 7, American Realities, chapter 8: October 18th
Quiz 8, American History, chapters 23 & 24: October 25th
Exam 2: October 29th
Quiz 9 American Realities, chapter 9: November 1st
Quiz 10, American History, chapters 25 & 26: November 8th
Quiz 11, American History, chapters 27 & 28: November 15th
Quiz 12, American Realities, chapter 11: November 22nd
Quiz 13, American History, chapters 29 & 30: November 29th
Quiz 14, American Realities, chapter 13: December 6th
Quiz 15, American History, chapters 31 & 32: December 13th
Exams 3 (take-home) & 4 & book review: December 17th
OUTLINE OF TOPICS
I. Reconstruction
1. The Transformation of Union War Aims
2. Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction
3. Congressional Reconstruction
4. The Overthrow of Reconstruction
II. Industrialization
1. New South
2. Immigration
3. Transformation of Work
4. Labour Movement
III. Urbanization
1. Periodization of Urban Change
a. 1820-1870
b. 1870-1920
c. 1920 >
IV. Women's Movement
1. Birth of Suffrage Movement
2. Split over Abolition
3. Rebirth 1900-1920
4. > 1920
V. Progressivism
1. Decline of Localism
2. New Middle Class
3. White collar Management
4. Social Control
5. conservatism vs. Preservationism
VI. WWI
1. Woodrow Wilson and the Fourteen Points
2. WWI, the end of Progressivism and the development of modern society
VII. 1920's
1. Mass Society, Mass Culture
2. Society in Turmoil
VIII. Great Depression
1. Vilification of Hoover
2. Hoover's Response to Crash
IX. FDR and New Deal
1. FDR as Politician
2. Idea of Two New Deals
3. WWII and New Deal
X. Cold War
1. FDR and Stalin
2. Truman's Role
3. Cold War as "Long Peace"
XI. Civil Rights Movement
1. Background
2. Birth of Modern Movement
3. Foundation for Protests of 1960's
XII. Vietnam and Protest Movement
1. Colonial History of Vietnam
2. Emergence of Student Opposition to War
3. Nixon and War
XIII. Watergate
1. Nixon's Presidency
2. Nixon's Personality
3. Implications of "Imperial Presidency"
Student Privacy
According to the "Privacy Act," professors will not discuss
any information concerning a student with a parent, guardian, legal
counsel or another student unless the student signs a release that allows
information to be discussed with a designated person. A student can
identify a friend or acquaintance to be their spokesperson. This designation
must be in writing and signed by the student. The following guidelines
will be adhered to:
(1) The College must have on file the student's written, signed consent
for release of information;
(2) The College must have on file a signed letter from the student designating
the name of their spokesperson or representative;
(3) The person identifying himself/herself as spokesperson or representative
of the student must provide proof of identification; and
(4) No information will be given out over the telephone regardless of
who is calling.
Accommodation Statement:
Oklahoma City Community College Complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities
who seek accommodations must make their request by contacting the Office
of Student Support Services located on the first floor of the main building
near SEM entry 3 or by calling 682-7520. All accommodations must be
approved by the Assistant Director, Student Disability Services.
Notice To All Students:
The responsibility for withdrawal for non-attendance is yours. It is
NOT the instructor’s responsibility to administratively withdraw
you for non-attendance or because you are failing.
Each instructor may have an attendance policy that impacts your final
grade. Please review the course syllabi for class attendance requirements.
If you stop attending and do not plan on finishing the course, you must
withdraw yourself from the course prior to the end of the twelfth week
of a 16-week semester or 3/4 of the duration of class. Withdrawal deadlines
are published in the College Class Schedule. When you withdraw from
a course, the grade on your permanent transcript is a ‘W’
(Withdrawn). The grade of ‘W’ has no impact on your grade
point average.
Failure to withdraw will mean the instructor will calculate your final
grade as indicated in the syllabus (which may include an attendance
requirement). In many cases students who stop attending and do not withdraw
themselves from the class receive a failing grade. This failing grade
is placed on your permanent transcript and will be used in the calculation
of your grade point average.
This notice supercedes all course syllabi, the College Catalog, the
Student Handbook, and all other publications regarding Administrative
Withdrawals (AW) by faculty for attendance.
If you have questions regarding this notice, please consult with your
instructor.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic Dishonesty as defined in the student handbook will not be tolerated.
Specifically, the work of each student must be produced via individual
effort, no group work is permitted. Copying from another student will
result in a zero for the particular assignment. Moreover, using the
textbook, notes, or any other study aid on an in class exam will likewise
result in a zero for that assignment. Additionally, regarding the take
home final exam: this exam is obviously open note, however the exam
is still to be produced by using one=s own words. The use of outside
research, while acceptable, is discouraged. If one is to use any outside
research for the take home final exam, then the sources must be cited.
Simply copying and pasting from a website is totally unacceptable and
constitutes plagiarism. Realize that plagiarism is also using ideas
gleaned from the research of anyone other than the student, such usage
must be cited. Failure to cite one’s sources will result in a
zero for the assignment.
Academic Integrity
Oklahoma City Community College places the highest value on student
learning and academic integrity is critical for that learning to take
place. A lack of academic integrity will undermine the learning process
leaving students less prepared to face challenges in future classes
as well as in the work environment. Therefore Oklahoma City Community
College expects all students to meet the highest ethical standards in
their academic pursuits. Faculty and staff share in the responsibility
to ensure standards are maintained.
Violations of academic integrity are viewed very seriously. Any form
of academic dishonesty is subject to disciplinary action by the college.
The absence of academic integrity is described as cheating, often defined
as “the deception of others about one’s work.” Such
acts may include but are not limited to the following list compiled
by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Advisory Council:
• Submitting another’s work as one’s own or allowing
another to submit one’s work as though it were his or hers.
• Several people completing an assignment and turning in multiple
copies, all represented either implicitly or explicitly as individual
work.
• Failing to contribute an equal share in group assignments or
projects while claiming equal credit for the work.
• Using a textbook, notes, or technology tools during an examination
without permission of the instructor.
• Receiving or giving unauthorized help on assignment or examinations.
Stealing a problem solution or assessment answers from a professor,
a student or other sources.
• Tampering with experimental data to obtain “desired”
results, or creating results for experiments not done.
• Creating results for observations or interviews that were not
done.
• Obtaining an unfair advantage by gaining or providing access
to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the professor.
• Tampering with or destroying the work of others.
• Submitting substantial portions of the same academic work for
credit or honors more than once without permission of the present professor.
• Lying about these or other academic matters.
• Falsifying college records, forms or other documents.
• Accessing computer systems or files without authorization.
• Plagiarizing (Plagiarism is generally defined as the use in
one’s writing of specific words, phrases, and/or ideas of another
without giving proper credit.)
Any violation of academic integrity by a student that is detected by
a college staff member shall be reported by the staff member to the
appropriate professor or College administrator.
Should a professor determine that a student violation of academic integrity
has occurred, the following actions shall be taken.
• The professor may
record a zero for the assignment, require the student to redo the assignment,
assign a failing grade in the class, or recommend other appropriate
action.
• The professor shall present in writing to the appropriate Dean
and to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs a description
of the specific occurrence, supporting documentation and action taken.
• The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs shall send
the student a certified letter that verifies that a report of the incident
and the professor’s actions is on file in the office of the Associate
Vice President for Academic Affairs. The student may file an appeal
in accordance with the Student Appeal of a Grade Procedure if he/she
believes that an erroneous or unfair accusation has been made.
• The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs may file an
official complaint of a Student Conduct Code Violation if a) the incident
is an extreme violation or b) if there are repeated instances of violations
on file. The Student Conduct Code is published each year in the Student
Handbook.
Assessment of Student Learning
Oklahoma City Community College is committed to providing quality educational
experiences to all students and to striving for continuous improvement
in its programs and services. Student assessment is vital to the educational
process and can be of significant value to you and to the students who
follow you.
To ensure that adequate assessment information is available to allow
OCCC to continuously improve programs and services, you may be asked
to participate in personal interviews; take program and/or general education
assessments, which could be tests; give oral presentations, write assignments,
take surveys, or engage in other activities. You may be asked to complete
the assessments, tests, and other activities during designated times,
which may include class periods. These opportunities are your chance
to help OCCC improve the courses, programs, and services which could
affect you and will certainly impact students in the future.
SAFETY AND SECURITY EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The health and safety of all our students, faculty, and staff are OCCC’s
prime concern. The procedures outlined below are designed to deal with
emergencies of various types. Students should always follow the lead
of their instructors.
Fire
First notification will come from the fire alarm horns, sirens, and
strobes. The class should gather their belongings, exit the building
using the nearest exit, and move to a parking lot. Do not use the elevators.
No alarm should be treated as a false alarm. Horns, sirens, and strobes
are only used for fire alarms.
Fire (Special Considerations)
If someone in your area is not physically capable of descending the
stairwell, please ensure that they remain in the “area of safe
refuge” located just inside each upper-level enclosed first stairwell.
There are emergency phones located near each of these areas.
Medical
For all medical related issues push the ”emergency” button
located on each classroom phone. The phone will display your room number,
allowing for fast response to your location. All security officers are
trained as first responders and will assist in guiding EMSA to your
location. Treat all bodily fluids as if they were contaminated.
Bomb
If you receive a bomb threat, document as much information as possible
and push the “emergency” button on the phone. If the decision
to evacuate is given, the phone will sound an alarm and display a text
message. The class should gather their belongings, exit the building
using the nearest exit, and move to an open grassy area. Please turn
off all wireless devices. (Cell phones, radios, laptops, and other portable
devices.)
Weather
Tornado warnings that include OCCC will be sent directly to the classroom
phone. The phone will sound and alarm and display a text message. The
class should gather their belongings, move away from exterior glass
and exits, and move to safer areas. These areas are lower-level interior
classrooms, restrooms, and stairwells. You should familiarize yourself
with the safer areas near your classroom(s). If the city/county sirens
are sounding and OCCC is not in the warning area a message will be sent
to the classroom phone advising this information.
Disturbance/Threats
If someone is causing a disturbance in a classroom call security immediately.
Push the “emergency” button located on each classroom phone.
Distance yourself from that person, do not place yourself in the person’s
exit path and remove all potential weapons from the area. Shelter in
place: If there is an armed person or shooter on campus: Close and lock
hallway doors. Turn off the lights, shut the blinds or move away from
exposed areas. Use desks, tables and other objects to provide protection.
Updated information will be sent to the classroom phone.