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Course Syllabus
Course Title: Modern American History Course / Sect Number: HIST 109 / 5831 Instructor: Lawrence P. Rockwood Email: lawrence.rockwood@gcccd.edu Time: Sat., 4/1-5/13 8am-4:20pm Room: 551B Required Text: Carnes / Garraty, American Destiny: Narrative of a Nation, Volume II: Since 1865 (Penguin Academics Series), 2/E, Course Description: This course surveys the development of American society and government in the area now known as the United States from 1865 to the present. First, the imprint of the legacies of slavery and civil war on American cultural and political evolution will be explored. The impact of race, ethnicity, immigration, religion, gender, and class on the development of an American civic identity will be analyzed. The rise of the United States to the status of a major power will be examined in the context of the evolution of international regimes of security and human rights enforcement. Finally, we will examine the viability of the concept of “American exceptionalism” and its implication on the development of American institutions and character. Course Reference Material: Course Website: http://www.grossmont.edu/lawrence.rockwood/ Documents Website: http://www.ku.edu/carrie/docs/amdocs_index.html Students may be assigned to read primary sources available on website for each chapter. Additional handout reading assignments will also be furnished as required. Requirements: Participation (15%): This grade has two parts: 1. Class participation: Credit is not earned for simple attendance. Students are expected to come prepared for class, on time, alert, and remain for the entire class. To be prepared for class, students will have read assigned readings according to class schedule and be prepared to answer questions in class on assigned, especially additional assigned reading listed on syllabus. Students are not required substantiate/document reason for FIRST excused absence for a period less than two hours. It wall be assumed that a student seeking an excusal has already used first excused absence. Additional absences will be subtracted from the 15% participation credit for each additional unexcused absence. If an (additional) absence is excused, students may be required to submit multiple choice, essay, image, and/or map questions found on course text website for assigned reading chapter of missed class. Any student missing more than eight hours of instruction should consider applying for a “W.” 2. Providing one map side brief (2-4 minute background briefs on assigned topic to initiate discussions). Students will sign up for topics for map side brief during the first day of class. Multiple-Choice Exams 25% X2): Mid-term exam will cover the lectures and reading assignments from start of class. Final exam will cover the lectures and reading assignments from the Mid-Tem to the last day of class. Un-Announced Map Quiz (5%): The map will consist of identifying on a map the geographical locations of significant historical interest, especially those identified during the map side briefs. Writing Requirement (30%): The writing requirement will be met by completion of the following: 2. Take Home Final Essay or In Class Essay (20%), Write an analytical essay comparing the view of citizenship discussed in Randolph Bourne’s Trans-National America with those discussed in class and in handouts. Take home option will be 3-5 doubled spaced typed (word processor) pages in Times New Roman or Ariel 12-point font with proper quotation and source citations. In class option will be 2-3 legibly hand written sheets.
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