United States History 1865 to Present Syllabus

This course begins with the "Reconstruction" period and examines the problems of reunifying America. The nation's industrial period gets close attention, as does the rise of American cities and their accompanying social and political problems. U.S. Imperialism and the Spanish-American War are examined. The "Progressive" period, which includes emphasis on the American Labor Movement and the demand for women's rights are included. World War I and its aftermath in the "Roaring Twenties" are analyzed. The Great Depression and World War II are detailed. The conflicts of the late twentieth century, including the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam and the American Civil Rights Movement are examined. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. This class satisfies the General Education State Core Social Science/History requirement for A.A. degree seeking students and the Florida state civic literacy requirement per Florida Statues Section 1007.25 for all students.

Dezso Bartha, M.A.
Email: barthad@live.seminolestate.edu

Instruction includes classroom lecture and discussion.

Users viewing a printed version of this syllabus can access the links in the document via the following addresses.

Online version:
https://www.seminolestate.edu/ssap/oasis/syllabusView/view/2187/71113/AMH2020

PDF version:
https://www.seminolestate.edu/ssap/oasis/syllabusView/pdf/2187/71113/AMH2020

Measurable Course Objectives are outcomes students are expected to achieve by the end of the course.

• Differentiate among historical sources, e.g., primary as opposed to secondary sources.
• Have an understanding of landmark Supreme Courts cases, landmark legislation, landmark executive actions and their impact on law and society.
• Have an understanding of the United States Constitution and its application.
• Have knowledge of the founding documents and how they have shaped the nature and functions of our institutions of self-governance.
• Identify and understand different points of view in a historical controversy.
• Place contemporary events in historical order.
• Think and write from a critical perspective.
• Understand how economic and political ideas are translated into programs and policy.
• Understand the basic principles and practices of American democracy and how they are applied in our republican form of government.
• Understand the challenges faced in America by minorities, especially American Indians, African Americans and women.
• Understand the idea of causation.
• Write coherent, fact based expository essays on historical topics.

Required Textbook

Exploring American Hist., V 2 W/ Access

Author:

 Hewitt

ISBN:

 9781319112141

Publisher:

 Mac Higher

Edition:

 2ND 17 OE

Buy:

 $80.15 New

 $60.10 Used

The College recognizes the correlation between attendance and both student retention and achievement. Per College Policy 3.060 Students are expected to attend all classes, actively participate and complete all assigned course work for all courses for which they are registered. 

For Face-to-Face classes attendance is required starting the first scheduled class. Students who are absent during this period are subject to be withdrawn for non-attendance. If you are unable to attend the first week, please reach out to your instructor to discuss assignments or activities required to maintain your enrollment in the course. 

For online classes, attendance is determined by consistently logging in and accessing the course content and completing courses in accordance with the syllabus. Simply logging in to an online class does NOT count as attendance. Students must engage in an academically-related activity.

The College recognizes the correlation between attendance and both student retention and achievement. Per College Policy 3.060 Students are expected to attend all classes, actively participate and complete all assigned course work for all courses for which they are registered. 

For online classes, attendance is determined by consistently logging in and accessing the course content and completing courses in accordance with the syllabus. Simply logging in to an online class does NOT count as attendance. Students must engage in an academically-related activity.

Students are expected to attend all classes and be on time.  Tardiness in this class in unacceptable.  According to Seminole State’s attendance policy, a student who is absent from class ten percent (10%) of the scheduled class time is subject to academic penalty. No more than four absences will be allowed.  

A fifth unexcused absence will result in a letter grade dropped from your final grade.

In case of emergency conditions (such as tropical storms, hurricanes, power outages, etc), verify the college is open and classes are being held by calling 407.708.2290 or 407.708.4722.  The Seminole State homepage will also feature updated announcements.

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The Collegewide Student Learning Outcomes assessed and reinforced in this course include the following:

• Communication
• Critical Thinking
• Global Sociocultural Responsibility
• Humanities Discipline Outcomes
• Information Literacy

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Campus locations and phone numbers for DSS are:

• Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, Room SC-130, 407.708.2109
• Altamonte Campus, Room ALT 107, 407.404.6005
• Heathrow Campus, Room HEA 115, 407.708.4440
• Oviedo Campus, Room OVF 102-D, 407.971.5114

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To receive a “W” you must withdraw before the withdrawal deadline of October 24.  Students who simply stop attending class and fail to withdraw may receive a grade of F. It is the student’s, not the instructor’s, responsibility to withdraw from the class. After OCtober 24, the instructor must enter a final grade for the student

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Plagiarism is unacceptable to the college community. Academic work that is submitted by students is assumed to be the result of their own thought, research or self-expression. When students borrow ideas, wording or organization from another source, they are expected to acknowledge that fact in an appropriate manner. Plagiarism is the deliberate use and appropriation of another's work without identifying the source and trying to pass-off such work as the student's own. Any student who fails to give full credit for ideas or materials taken from another has plagiarized.

Students who share their work for the purpose of cheating on class assignments or tests are subject to the same penalties as the student who commits the act of cheating.

When cheating or plagiarism has occurred, instructors may take academic action that ranges from denial of credit for the assignment or a grade of "F" on a specific assignment, examination or project, to the assignment of a grade of "F" for the course. Students may also be subject to further sanctions imposed by the judicial officer, such as disciplinary probation, suspension or dismissal from the College.

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To promote the health and wellness of the Seminole State College community, the use if tobacco of any kind and in any form is prohibited on all College-owned and/or operated facilities.  This includes tobacco use in personal vehicles while on College property.  The College Tobacco-Free Policy can be found at online.

• Grade of “A”
   90%-100%
  “A” level work demonstrates excellence overall with no major weaknesses.  This includes an “A” grade on tests and labs.  A level work displays excellent presentation and clarification of key concepts of the unit.  All written work is outstanding and presented in excellent form.
• Grade of “B”
  80%-89%
  “B” level work demonstrates more strengths than weaknesses.  This includes “A” and “B” grades on tests and labs.  All written and oral work is on the whole clear, precise and well presented.
• Grade of “C”
  70%-79%
  “C” level work demonstrates slightly more than a minimal level of skill and comprehension of material covered in the class.  “C” level work demonstrated by a “C” grade on tests and average presentation of formal written material.  “C” level work shows some assignments are reasonably well done but others are poorly done or mediocre at best.
• Grade of “D”
  60%-69%
  “D” level work demonstrates a minimal level of skill and comprehension of material covered in class.  “D” level work is demonstrated by a “C” grade or lower on tests and below average presentation of formal written material.
• Grade of “F”
  Below 60%
  “F” level work demonstrates that the student has failed to comprehend the material and to the required work of the course.  “F” level work is demonstrated by a grade of “F” or lower on tests and below average presentation of formal written material.

Tests:

There will be four examinations in the course, covering material from the textbooks, class discussions, audio-visual materials, and class lectures.

Exams will be based on identifications and short essay questions.

The lowest graded exam of the four will be dropped.

Make-up tests will be allowed only in the most extreme circumstances.

Final Essay:

There will be a final seven-eight page, word topical essay due later in the semester.  Topics for this assignment will be assigned and selected no later than eight weeks into the semester.  This will be a topical essay on an issue in United States history that you find interesting or thought-provoking. Sources must be accounted for, preferably by footnotes, but MLA format will also be accepted.  A minimum of four independent sources must be used.

 This essay is based on INTERPRETATON.  Although you will introduce your topic with facts from your sources, a minimum of two pages must be dedicated to your analysis, interpretation, and opinion regarding the issue.  This will be the crucial part of the paper of which your grade will be primarily constructed.

 The popularity of online sources will be allowed in this paper, but any student that uses online encyclopedic sources must also consult the Encyclopedia Britannica. In addition, at least one independent book (e-books are acceptable) must also be used as a source.  The textbook may also be used as a source.  Students who expand their research with other sources such as books and magazine articles, with which the reference librarian will be happy to assist, will receive higher grades for their effort.

 Papers must be submitted both as hard copy and also in Canvas. 

 No Wikipedia!

 The final paper topic must be discussed with the instructor the week of October 10.  

 The paper itself is due the week of November 12.

 Late papers will be dropped a letter grade per class.

 Short Essay Assignment:

 A short essay assignment will be assigned from the textbook essays that will be used as a practice run for the final paper.  This assignment will be a 2.5 page analysis of one of these essays.  The grade for this will be applied to your final paper. 

 A grade of “3” will be the standard average grade for this homework.  The grade will reach a maximum of 5 points for a particularly successful homework, that is, a successful analysis, interpretation, and opinion regarding the issue.  A grade of 3 indicates an average effort, a grade of 2 or 1 will indicate that the assignment has been completed unsatisfactorily.  Success or failure in the homework will indicate those aspects that the student should address in his or her final paper. This assignment is due September 24.  Late papers receive a -2 penalty per day.

The writing assignments and essay exams will meet the 3000 word count requirement for this course.

Please be sure to have your cell phones turned off before class, and do not answer your phone, check messages, etc., during the class!  This is especially important to remember during exams. Cell phones should only be used for emergency situations.

For further information, please contact instructor or access course materials for this course on Canvas.