USSO 10100, Development of the United States & its People by Seth Offenbach

Development of the United States From Colonization to Present Prof. Seth Offenbach USSO 10100 ±Section F Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday2:15-3:15pm + by appointment Office ± NA 5/135 Email ± soffenbach@ccny.cuny.edu The purpose of this course is to give students a basic introduction into American history and society. To help everyone better understand how American history altered the development of society. We will focus on a variety of topics from America¶s formative years through the rise of modern America. We will constantly investigate how events have left a lasting impression on the lives of ordinary Americans, helping to shape contemporary society. Overall Course Goals: One of the goals of this course is to help students gain a series of critical thinking skills applicable not only to the course material but to their entire university experience and professional careers. This means I will ask that students focus on your writing and thinking abilities. Additionally, it is important that students learn to think and present their opinions in public. Thus, classroom discussion is a vital part of this class. The ultimate goal of this class is that students will be able to realize their ability to negotiate the complexities of contemporary society and culture. Course Requirements: Failure to turn in any single assignment will significantly harm your grade. Failure to turn in an essay will result in 0% awarded, plus your final year-end grade will be lowered by a third of a letter grade. Failure to attend the final exam will result in an automatic failure for the course. More than two unexcused absences will result in a full letter grade loss per class missed. There are no make-upessays or final exams without medical note. Readings: The Narrative of the Life and Times of Fredrick Douglass ± Frederick Douglass Bread Givers ± AnziaYezierska The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit ± Sloan Wilson Give Me Liberty ±Foner, Et al All books are available through the CCNY bookstore, online, or at your local library. Each student is responsible for purchasing his/her own book. Grading Scheme: A: 100-94% C+: 79-77% A-: 93-90% C: 76-74% B+: 89-87% C-: 73-70% B: 86-84% D: 69-65% B-: 83-80% F: 64-0% Note: Not turning in an assignment equals 0%. An F paper is worth 60% Syllabus USSO 10100 2 GradingPhilosophy: Grades represent the professor¶s interpretation of how your work has progressed throughout the semester. Your grades are a combination of your work compared to your natural ability and that of your classmates. Grade Breakdown: Attendance ± 8% Participation ± 10% Essays ± 14% each (three total) Mini-Tests ± 5% each (four total) Final Exam ± 20% Email Extra Credit ± 0.5-1.5% Any student requiring special accommodations must notify the professor as soon as possible. Failure to do so will jeopardize your receiving those accommodations. Plagiarism: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will be treated as such. All work submitted by students must be original work. Any attempt to pass someone else¶s work off as your own will be penalized and action will be taken. Additionally, if you are found guilty of any academic violations, the instructor will recommend the most severe penalties ± including expulsion ± to the Academic Judiciary Board. If you have any questions about plagiarism and academic honesty, the instructor strongly recommends that you consult with him. You should also see the CCNY statement on plagiarism at http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/upload/academicintegrity.pdf Technology: Students should note that in the twenty-first century, technology has become an integral part of our lives. With technology comes technological complications. Last minute computer malfunctions, printer problems, and email mishaps are no excuses for late material. Please be prepared and protect yourself by managing your time and constantly backing up your work in multiple places. Should you have a problem, you must notify the instructor immediately and without hesitation. Communication: Should any issue arise that keeps you from completing any assignment in a timely fashion, it is imperative that you notify the instructor immediately and prior to the assignment¶s due date. Proper communication will help ensure accommodations to help you finish your work without a severe penalty. Failure to communicate with the instructor in a timely fashion may result in serious penalties along with a failure to offer any accommodations. Additionally, if you find that you are falling behind the class at any time, please come speak with the instructor. Syllabus Course Schedule USSO 10100 3 Monday ± January 31st Topic: Introduction and Course Overview Readings: Begin Reading: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Wednesday ± February 2nd Topic: Colonization Monday ± February 7th Discussion: Life in Colonial American Readings: See Blackboard Wednesday ± February 9th Topic: The American Revolution Monday ± February 14th Discussion: The American Revolution Readings: See Blackboard Happy Valentine¶s Day Wednesday ± February 16th Mini Test #1 Discussion: Political Divisions of Early America Monday ± February 21st No Class President¶s Day! Wednesday ± February 23rd Discussion: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Essay #1 topic handed out in class Monday ± February 28th Topic: Westward Expansion Wednesday ± March 2nd Topic: Two Nations Monday ± March 7th Discussion: The Civil War Essay #1 DUE Reading: See Blackboard Syllabus Wednesday ± March 9th Topic: Reconstruction Begin Reading: Bread Givers USSO 10100 4 Monday ± March 14th Topic: Progressives and the Spanish American War Wednesday ± March 16th Mini Test #2 Discussion: Filipino-American War Readings: See Blackboard Monday ± March 21st Topic: 1920s America Wednesday ± March 23rd Topic: The Great Depression Monday ± March 28th Topic: World War II Wednesday ± March 30th Discussion: Bread Givers Essay #2 Handed Out Monday ± April 4th Mini Test #3 Discussion: World War II Reading: See Blackboard Wednesday ± April 6th Topic: Post-War Suburbanization Monday ± April 11th Topic: Early Cold War Struggles Withdrawal Deadline! Wednesday ± April 13th Video: The Civil Rights Movement Essay #2 due Begin Reading: The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit Monday ± April 19th through Monday ± April 25th No Class! Spring Break! Syllabus Wednesday ± April 27th Topic: Civil Rights Movement Monday ± May 2nd Mini Test #4 Topic: Vietnam Wednesday ± May 4th Topic: The 1970s USSO 10100 5 Monday ± May 9th Discussion: The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit Essay #3 Handed Out Wednesday ± May 11th Topic: 1980s Monday ± May 16th Topic: 1989 and Beyond Wednesday ± May 18th Make up Mini Test ± PENALTY APPLIES Final Exam Review TENTATIVE FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE Monday ± May 23rd± Final Exam Section F ± 3:30-5:45pm Students must consult CCNY to find out the correct time of the final exam. Final exam schedules are posted online at: http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/current/registrar/classes2/spring/Spring-2011-Final-ExamSchedule.cfm Attending the final exam is mandatory. Failure will attend results in failure of the course. © All lectures and assignments are the official copyright of the Prof. Seth Offenbach. City College of New York (CUNY) students of USSO 10100 Section F may record and keep records of the class for personal usage, but you may not share your material with anyone outside of the classroom without express written permission of Prof. Offenbach, nor may you post the material on the Internet.