Syllabus for History 102
This course is a survey of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the United States since 1865. The lectures, readings, and discussions are of equal importance in developing your understanding of the subject matter. To neglect any of these would be ill-advised.
Book for the course, available at UW-Sheboygan Bookstore: Mary Beth Norton, A People and a Nation, Volume 2. Pub: Houghton Mifflin College
The grade in the course is based upon the following:
First mid-term exam................................. 25%
Second mid-term exam............................. 25%
Final exam................................................ 25%
Attendance, written assignments,
class participation..................................... 25%
There will be two, two-page essays assigned during the semester. Consult the Schedule of Lectures and Readings for assignment and due dates. Examinations will be essays. I will give you four questions the week before the exam. Two of those exact questions will appear on the exam. You will be required to answer one question for each midterm exam. You may substitute a five-page research paper (topic and format to be discussed with me beforehand) for the second mid-term examination. The paper will be due the day of the mid-term. For the final, I will give you eight questions--four cumulative and four dealing with material studied after the second midterm. Two questions from each group will appear on the final. You will be required to answer one question from each group. There will be no make-up examinations unless you notify me before an exam that you are unable to attend. Your circumstances must be exceptionally dire before I will agree to a make-up.
If, because of a disability, you have any special requirements for taking notes or writing exams, please let me know as soon as possible.
Course goals
- Increased proficiency in reading comprehension.
- Increased proficiency in writing well-structured essays.
- Increased ability to analyze historical material and draw conclusions from it.
- Increased ability to write clearly about cause and effect in history.
- An understanding of the economic, political, social, intellectual, and cultural background that made America what it is today.
Schedule of Lectures and Readings
You will need to have access to a computer with a web browser, in order to find the many primary documents we will be using during the semester. I will give you the URLs (addresses on the WWW) as you need them.
Week 1
The End of the Civil War Norton, Chapter 16
Week 2
Emancipation and Reconstruction Norton, Chapter 17
Week 3
Two Different Worlds: Industry and the Frontier
Norton, Chapter 18
Week 4
Immigrants and Urban Life Norton, Chapter 19
Week 5
Politics and Progressivism Norton, Chapters 20,21
FIRST MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Week 6
Imperialism and War Norton, Chapters 22,23
Week 7
The 1920s Norton, Chapter 24
Week 8
Depression and New Deal Norton, Chapter 25
Week 9
No Classes
Week 10
The Coming of WWII
second midterm questions to be handed out
Norton, Chapter 26
SECOND MID-TERM EXAMINATION
Week 11
WWII Norton, Chapter 27
Week 12
The Cold War Norton, Chapters 28
Week 13
Postwar Society (Guest Lecturer) Norton, Chapter 29
Week 14
The Vietnam Era
second essay to be assigned
Norton, Chapter 30
Week 15
The Vietnam Era cont'd
second essay due
Norton, Chapter 31,32
Week 16
The 1980s and 1990s Norton, Chapter 33
FINAL EXAM