UNITED STATES HISTORY
History 17B (3 units)
Sec. 24976 (M/W 10:55-12:20)
Room V9

WELCOME!!!

Don't know much about American history but tired of endless lectures?  Well then you've come to the right place.  Who says history has to be boring?  You will embark on a fascinating exploration of the making of modern American society.  Through multi-media lectures, readings, group activities, and non-print media (film, posters, music) this course will investigate the post-Civil War years of American history by examining a wide variety of topics including racial and ethnic politics, popular culture, reform movements, and diplomatic history.

History 17B is a survey of the political, economic, social and cultural development of the Unites States from Reconstruction to the present.  Topics covered include Reconstruction, Native American culture and western settlement, Industrialization, the Progressive Era, World War I, the Twenties, the New Deal, and World War II.  Also covered are domestic, social, and foreign policy issues of the post-World War II period from the 1950s through the 1990s,  including reform movements, Vietnam, the Civil Rights and other ethnic movements, the Feminist Movement, popular culture, and post-Cold War foreign policy.

Required Texts

Additional reading materials are online at Angel.  It is highly recommended that you print these articles/documents/short passages out.  You are responsible to have each of these readings completed by their assigned day on the syllabus.

General Class Policies

1. Cell phones and computers must be turned off in the classroom.
2. Save this syllabus as evidence for transfer to a four-year institution.
3. Class participation and COMPLETING THE ASSIGNED READING by the beginning of each topic are essential to passing this course.
4. Late work is marked down 1/3 of a grade for each day that it is handed in late after the end of class when it is due.
5. Tutoring is available at no charge at Tutorial Services.  It is provided by qualified, trained, students who have been recommended by the faculty.  Contact Tutorial Services in the Library Building or call 741-2038.
6. Quizzes may be administered by the Instructor without warning if he feels students are not keeping up with the readings.  Incorrect answers will be deducted from a student's overall participation grade.
7. Plagiarism/cheating will result in automatic failures and offenders will be referred to the CSSO for disciplinary action.  Familiarize yourself with the campus policy on cheating detailed in the College Catalog under Student Conduct Code, 5.8.19 Policy on Cheating.  (You will find examples of what plagiarism is and how to avoid it at http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html)
8. West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials will be available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request.  Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010 (voice) or (408) 741-2658 (TTY) for assistance.

Pass/No Pass Option and Dropping

Students wishing to take this class with the Pass/No Pass grade option must inform the instructor in writing no later than the end of the SIXTH WEEK.  Requests for this option WILL NOT be accepted after that time.  See the WVC Catalog under "Academic Regulations and Standards" for more information about this option.  Students who wish to be dropped from the course after the first week are responsible for doing this on their own.  I will not do this for you.  If you stop showing up but your name is on my roster at the end of the semester, you will receive an "F" in the class with no opportunities to change this to a "W."

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and punctuality is required and roll will be taken at the beginning of the class.  Tardy students will receive a 1 point reduction from their total grade for each tardy.  More than one absence will constitute a reduction of 2 points for each additional absence.

Web Page

A class web page can be found for History 17B at Angel.  This page contains the syllabus, lecture outlines, PowerPoint lectures, on-line readings, and Study Guides for the Midterm and Final Exam.  This web page serves as a supplement to the lectures and in-class discussions, not as a substitute.  

Quizzes

Your two quizzes over the semester will be conducted on Angel rather than in class.  These multiple-choice quizzes cover the lecture, online readings, and textbook readings.  (Click HERE for more instructions, as well as how to log on to Angel.) You may also find useful the companion web page for our textbook maintained by McGraw-Hill (your books publisher) at http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073385468/student_view0/index.html.  This companion web page has practice quiz questions.

COURSE OUTLINE

Week 1  

Week 2  

Week 3  

Week 4  

Week 5   

Week 6  

Week 7  

Week 8  

Week 9  

SPRING BREAK 4/01 - 4/07

Week 10  

Week 11  

Week 12 

Week 13   

Week 14  

Week 15   

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:   Wednesday, May 22, 9:40-11:40