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History 112 is a survey course exploring political- social- economic- and intellectual developments in the
United States from the end of the Civil War to the current period
Course Objectives:
1. Identify persons, events, major developments, and institutions that have shaped US history in
the period covered by the course.
2. Analyze and assess the importance of the causes and origins of major historical developments.
3. Compare and contrast developments in U.S. History with similar developments in other
countries and in the US in other time periods.
4. Research, organize and develop an analysis of a major topic or problem in U.S. History
5. Analyze the ways in which historical developments affect the rights, responsibilities, and choices
of modern US citizens.
6. Infer causality in independent analysis of historical documents.
7. Synthesize independent interpretations of historical data, documents, or events when
presented with a question not handled in class.
Required Texts:
Brinkley, American History, Vol 2, 13th or 14th ed. (14th preferred) ISBN: 9780077379490
Marcus, America Firsthand, Vol II, 9th ed. ISBN: 2900312656415
Additional documents as assigned.
Please note the the readings from Marcus are specifically listed in the course outline. If you choose to
obtain a different addition, please ensure that the listed readings are printed in the edition you purchase.
Classroom Environment:
This course is intended to be interactive and foster class discussion and debate. Please come to class
ready to share your ideas about the course material and be willing to listen and consider opinions that
are different than your own. If you are equipped with an open-minded attitude and treat your peers
with patience and courtesy, we can create a positive learning environment. Disruptive behavior (such as
in-class cell phone usage and text messaging, use of laptop computer for anything besides note-taking,
talking while someone else is speaking, sleeping, and personal attacks) will not be tolerated. You are
asked to place the classroom in proper order before leaving at the end of a class.
Please note that the college does not permit eating, drinking, or smoking within the classroom before,
during or after the class session.
Grading:
Assignment Points Possible
Exams 45%
Quizzes 10%
Term Paper 15%
Classwork and small projects 30%
Grade Scale
Points Grade
100.0-90.0% A
89.9-800% B
79.9-70.0% C
69.9-60.0% D
59.9-0% F
Learning history therefore, requires critical thinking when completing assigned readings. Use chapter
and lecture outline to help guide your reading. Consider the historical significance of major events and
people discussed. After finishing the reading for each chapter or primary source, try to write down a
summary of what you read in your own words and list any questions/problems you have. This may help
you internalize and clarify what you have read and help you prepare for class discussions and exams.
People however learn in a variety of ways. Some students may find making outlines, flashcards,
timelines, and verbally articulating information, and/or studying as a group are effective methods of
learning. Take ownership over your oven process of learning by discovering what technique works best
for you. Explore the topics you are interested in by utilize library resources or web queries. The more
actively you engage with the material and themes in this course, the more successful you will be.
Note-taking: Taking notes is a vital component of gaining mastery over the course material. It allows
you to make sense of the large themes of history, the specific details of an event or a person’s life, and
how they fit into the larger story. Therefore it is important to use your own words when taking notes.
Try to avoid simply copying directly out of a book or writing down the lecture verbatim. Frame your
notes using language that seems the most familiar and comfortable to you.
Class Requirements:
Attendance: Attending class is mandatory. Excessive absences may result in being dropped for the
course, or in an “F” as your final grade.
Participation: Student must be prepared to discuss and interpret the required reading each day in class.
Students are encouraged to communicate their ideas and regarding the assigned readings and class
lectures. However, these ideas and questions should be well informed and constructively contribute to
the direction of class discussions. A portion of your grade is based on your participation. Students who
regularly attend class and actively participate may expect to earn most if not all of the available points.
Alternatively, students who are frequently absent or engage in unproductive behaviors such as cell
phone use during class time should expect this to be reflect in their participation grade.
Term Paper: One term paper will be assigned this semester. You must choose a topic from US history
between 1877-1991. The paper must be 5-8 pages typed. You must use a minimum of six sources. Be
sure to format your paper using an appropriate style guide such as MLA. This paper should be turned in
through blackboard.
Quizzes: 10 short (5 minute) in-class quizzes will be assigned. Each quiz will consist of a question about a
specific historical term or concept. For each quizz, a list of four concepts will be provided in advance.
Student may bring a half page of notes to help them with specific historical evidence. If used, the notes
must be tuned in with the quiz.
Exams: There will be a midterm exam and a final given during the semester. Both exams will consist of
two essay/short answer questions and 55 multiple choice questions stressing both historical knowledge
and critical thinking skills.
Guidelines for Written Assignments: Please ensure that all assignments are:
● Typed
● Spell checked and proofread for grammatical errors
● Labeled with your names, course and date
Late/Make-up Policy: Late work is not accepted. I do not reschedule exams or accept late work unless
there are extenuating circumstances (e.g. health reasons, bereavement, etc). Please notify me in
advance via email or voicemail if you cannot attend an exam and have a legitimate excuse. Please bear
in mind that avoidable and foreseeable scheduling conflicts (e.g. a family vacation) would not be
considered legitimate. Pending my approval, we will make appropriate arrangements.
Contact Information: Since I will be contacting students via email regarding assignments, primary
source readings, and other information, please make sure you are using your district email account.
Students can access Canvas through http://msjc.instructure.com. Please familiarize yourself with
Canvas by the end of the first week of class.
Cases of plagiarism and cheating will be reported to an administrator and may lead to further
disciplinary action. Avoid plagiarism by citing your sources on thought papers and research papers.
Consult with me regarding proper citation etiquette, and reference the citation guidelines if you have
any questions.
Academic Support:
Make an appointment with me to receive help with study strategies, note taking, test preparation,
history career options, and other academic questions.
In addition, the Writing Center, located in Room 135 of the Learning Resource Center on the Menifee
Valley Campus and in the Learning Resource Center in the Library on the San Jacinto Campus, provides
assistance for students who need help with prewriting strategies, organization strategies, and/or
content development.
Please keep in mind that the Writing Center staff will not write your assignment for you, guess at a
possible grade for your work, or discuss an existing grade. Consult with the instructor for grading
information. Please bring the instructor’s assignment, a copy of your work in progress, and the
appropriate textbook.
Course Outline
Please complete reading assignments before attending class. This will make lecture and class
discussions more meaningful and beneficial. Please note the following schedule is subject to change.
January 17
The West
January 22
The West
Brinkley 16
January 24
Industrialization
Brinkley 17
Quiz #1
January 29
Industrialization
Marcus “Knights of Labor” and “Industrial Workers of the World” 61-65
January 31
Urbanization
Brinkley 18
Quiz #2
February 5 February 7
Populism and Imperialism
Brinkley 19
February 12
Populism and Progressivism
Brinkley 20
February 21
Progressivism and WWI
Brinkley 21
Marcus “Conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company” 88-93
February 26
WWI
Quiz #4
February 28
The New Era
Brinkley 22
Quiz #5
March 5*
The New Era
Marcus “In defense of the Bible” and “An odd eulogy for William Jennings Bryan” 150-162
March 7*
Marcus “Harlem Renaissance” 163-170
March 12
Review
March 14
Exam
March 26
The Great Depression
Brinkley 23
March 28
The Great Depression
Marcus “On the Road during the Great Depression” 186-188
April 2
The New Deal
Brinkley 24
April 16
WWII
Brinkley 26
Quiz #7
April 18
WWII
Marcus “Rosie the Riveter” 216-221
Paper due
April 23
The Cold War
Brinkley 27
Quiz #8
April 25
The 1950’s
Brinkley 28
April 30
The 1950’s
Marcus “Blacklisted” 230-236
May 2
Civil Rights
Brinkley 29
May 7
Civil Rights
Quiz #9
May 9
Activism and conservatism
Brinkley 30
May 16
Review