National University

Course:	HIS220B - History of the U.S. II
Last revised:	Date: July 09, 2007    By: Dr. Alex Zukas
Textbook:	For the correct edition of the textbook assigned to a specific class, go to: http://www.nutextdirect.com
Course Prerequisite(s): ENG 100/101
Course Description: A survey of American historical development from the Reconstruction era to the present. Explores the wide variety of economic, political, social and cultural factors that shaped the development of the nation, including industrialization, America's emergence as a world power and the challenges of the late 20th century. Pays special attention to issues of race, class, gender and ethnicity. May involve work in oral history.
Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: Clarify the problems faced by workers during American industrialization. Illustrate the causes and consequences of U. S. overseas expansion. Explain the impact of social protest movements on 20th-century American life and society. Analyze the consequences of market economics for the American people. Describe the place of women in modern American society. Explain the changing interpretations and uses of the U.S. Constitution in the 20th century. Illustrate the sophisticated methods by which the American ruling class has governed. Clarify the place of warfare in 20th-century American history with particular emphasis on causes and consequences.
Course Requirements: Course Goals: HIS 220B explains how major events in modern American history are related to one another in time. This course examines important issues in the history of the United States since Reconstruction. These issues include race relations, gender roles, capitalist economics, war, work, material culture, overseas expansion, class conflict, popular protest, and the nature elite power in a democratic society. It pays particular attention to issues of race, gender, ethnicity, and class. Main Course Content Areas: HIS 220B covers the following topics, events, and developments: The maturation of the national economy, 1860-1990. The United States' assumption of a world role. The Progressive Era, especially the Settlement House Movement and the contributions of women. World War I. Economy and society in the 1920s. The Great Depression and the New Deal. World War II and the U.S. assumption of a world role. The Cold War and McCarthyism. Post-war social and economic trends, including suburbanization and the Baby Boom. The Civil Rights Movement. The Vietnam War and the Anti-War Movement. Movements for liberation, including women, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians and Gays. The Nixon Era. The Carter-Reagan-Bush Presidencies. The Clinton Presidency. Assignment Descriptions Minimum requirements: Two 3-4 page papers. These papers should require students to incorporate close readings of primary sources to defend an original thesis concerning the contribution of that primary source to the historical understanding of the era that produced it. The grades for these two papers must represent at least 40% of the final course grade. A final exam, emphasizing essay questions The exam should ask students to integrate course material as well as analyze a primary source. Extensive readings in primary sources representing several different cultural traditions. Recommended assignments: Additional short writing assignments. Documentaries, films and/or field trips to museums or places of historic interest related to the themes of the course. Assignments related to the process of writing the paper, such as rough drafts, bibliography, citation, etc. Midterm exam. Participation in class and small group discussion (should represent no more than 10% of course grade) Student presentations of papers and/or research.

Recommended Course Grading (expressed as percentages):

A	96-100	B+	87-89	C+	77-79	D+	67-69
A-	90-95	B	84-86	C	74-76	D	64-66
		B-	80-83	C-	70-73	D-	60-63

Grading Factors:
Each instructor is responsible for identifying several specific grading components and the weight to be assigned to each component. The following are examples only, and are not meant to be all inclusive:

• Weekly quizzes
• Midterm exam(s)
• Homework assignments
• Participation in classroom or chatroom discussions
• Participation in threaded discussions (online only)
• Short papers, term papers, and the like
• Individual and/or group projects (written and possibly oral presentation)
• Case study analysis and discussion
• Field experience report
• Final exam (comprehensive)

Definition of Grades:

Undergraduate Courses
A	Outstanding Achievement	Significantly exceeds standards
B	Commendable Achievement	Exceeds standards
C	Acceptable Achievement	Meets standards
D	Marginal Achievement	Below standards
F	Failing *

Graduate Courses
A	Outstanding Achievement
B	Commendable Achievement
C	Marginal Achievement
D	Unsatisfactory *
F	Failing *

* Students receiving this grade in a course that is required for his/her degree program must repeat the course.

I

Incomplete A grade given at the discretion of the instructor when a student who has completed at least two-thirds of the course class sessions and is unable to complete the requirements of the course because of uncontrollable and unforeseen circumstances. The student must convey these circumstances (preferably in writing) to the instructor prior to the final day of the course. If an instructor decides that an "Incomplete" is warranted, the instructor must convey the conditions for removal of the "Incomplete" to the student in writing. A copy must also be placed on file with the Office of the Registrar until the "Incomplete" is removed or the time limit for removal has passed. An "Incomplete" is not assigned when the only way the student could make up the work would be to attend a major portion of the class when next offered. An "I" that is not removed within the stipulated time becomes an "F." No grade points are assigned. The "F" is calculated in the grade point average.

W

Withdrawal Signifies that a student has withdrawn from a course after beginning the third class session. Students who wish to withdraw must notify their admissions advisor before the beginning of the sixth class session in the case of graduate courses, or before the seventh class session in the case of undergraduate courses. Instructors are not authorized to issue a "W" grade.

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else's ideas or work as one's own. Students must give credit for any information that is not either the result of original research or common knowledge. If a student borrows ideas or information from another author, he/she must acknowledge the author in the body of the text and on the reference page. Students found plagiarizing are subject to the penalties outlined in the Policies and Procedures section of the University Catalog, which may include a failing grade for the work in question or for the entire course. The following is one of many websites that provide helpful information concerning plagiarism for both students and faculty: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

Ethics:
Ethical behavior in the classroom is required of every student. The course will identify ethical policies and practices relevant to course topics.

Technology:
Students are expected to be competent in using current technology appropriate for this discipline. Such technology may include word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Use of the internet and e-mail may also be required.

Diversity:
Learning to work with and value diversity is essential in every class. Students are expected to exhibit an appreciation for multinational and gender diversity in the classroom.

Civility:
As a diverse community of learners, students must strive to work together in a setting of civility, tolerance, and respect for each other and for the instructor. Rules of classroom behavior (which apply to online as well as onsite courses) include but are not limited to the following:

• Conflicting opinions among members of a class are to be respected and responded to in a professional manner.
• Side conversations or other distracting behaviors are not to be engaged in during lectures, class discussions or presentations
• There are to be no offensive comments, language, or gestures

Students with Disabilities:
Students seeking special accommodations due to a disability must submit an application with supporting documentation, as explained under this subject heading in the General Catalog. Instructors are required to provide such accommodations if they receive written notification from the University.

Writing Across the Curriculum:
Students are expected to demonstrate writing skills in describing, analyzing and evaluating ideas and experiences. Written reports and research papers must follow specific standards regarding citations of an author's work within the text and references at the end of the paper. Students are encouraged to use the services of the University's Writing Center when preparing materials.

The following website provides information on APA, MLA, and other writing and citation styles that may be required for term papers and the like: http://www.nu.edu/LIBRARY/ReferenceTools/citations.html

National University Library:
National University Library supports academic rigor and student academic success by providing access to scholarly books and journals both electronically and in hard copy. Print materials may be accessed at the Library in San Diego or through document delivery for online and regional students. Librarians are available to provide training, reference assistance, and mentoring at the San Diego Library and virtually for online or regional students. Please take advantage of Library resources:

URL: http://www.nu.edu/library.

Contact the Library:

• RefDesk@nu.edu
• (858) 541-7900 (direct line)
• 1-866-NU ACCESS x7900 (toll free)

Use the Library Training Tools (on the Library Homepage) for additional help

• Recorded class presentations
• Tutorials & Guides (APA/MLA, Peer-Review, and more)