HIST 1202, US History Since 1865 by Seth Offenbach

U.S. History Since the Civil War Prof. Seth Offenbach HIST 1202 - Section C Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday 10:35-11:35am + by appointment Office: History Department, LEX #232B Email – Soffenba@yu.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, including race and gender relations, religion, politics, and international politics. We will use cultural tools such as pictures, music, and movies to help better understand American history. Throughout the course, we will investigate how historical events have left a lasting impression on 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: Regular attendance in this course is mandatory. More than two unexcused absences will result in a significantly lower grade. Additionally, students are expected to turn in all work. Failure to turn in an essay will result in a 0% awarded for the assignment and your year-end grade will be lowered by one-third of a letter grade. Finally, students must attend the final exam. Failure to do so, without valid medical excuse, will result in an automatic failure for the course. Required Readings: Aimee Semple McPherson and the Resurrection of Christian America – Matthew Avery Sutton Fire Next Time – James Baldwin Both books are mandatory and can be obtained through the Barnes and Noble bookstore on 5th Ave between East 17th and 18th Streets. Students may also purchase the books online or obtain them from the NYPL. Students are responsible for obtaining their own copy of the books Required Video: Students are required to watch the 1992 movie Malcolm X. The movie is available for in library viewing at the Pollack Library. Students can also rent the movie from Blockbuster or Netflix. The professor will attempt to schedule an optional screening outside of regular class hours. Grading Philosophy: 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. Syllabus HIST 1202 2 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% Grade Breakdown: Attendance – 10% Participation – 15% Review Exams – 5% each (15% total) Essay #1 – 15% Museum Assignment – 15% Final Exam – 30% Email Extra Credit – 0.5-1.5% Students with disabilities who are enrolled in this course and who will be requesting documented disability-related accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services, (917-326-4828) during the first week of class. After approval for accommodations is granted, please submit your accommodations letter to the professor as soon as possible to ensure the successful implementation of 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 professor will recommend the most severe penalties – including expulsion – to the Academic Judiciary Board. If you have any questions about plagiarism and academic honesty, the professor strongly recommends that you consult with him. You should also see the YU statement on academic honesty, plagiarism, and cheating at http://www.yu.edu/yeshivacollege/academic-integrity.aspx 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, it is the student’s responsibility to speak with the instructor. Syllabus Course Schedule: HIST 1202 3 Wednesday – January 26th – Lecture Topic: Introduction and Course Overview Monday – January 31st Lecture Topic: Civil War Reconstruction Wednesday – February 2nd Lecture Topic: Birth of Jim Crow Monday – February 7th – Discussion: Race in Post-War America Readings: See ANGEL Wednesday – February 9th – Lecture Topic: Progressive Movement Monday – February 14th – Review Exam #1 Lecture Topic: Spanish-American War Wednesday – February 16th – Discussion: Filipino- American War Readings: See ANGEL Monday – February 21st Lecture Topic: 1920s America Happy Presidents’ Day! Wednesday – February 23rd – Lecture Topic: The Great Depression Monday – February 28th – Discussion: The Great Depression & WWII Readings: See ANGEL Wednesday – March 2nd – Discussion: Aimee Semple McPherson and the Resurrection of Christian America Monday – March 7th – Review Exam #2 Lecture Topic: World War II Wednesday – March 9th – Lecture Topic: 1950s Suburbanization Syllabus HIST 1202 4 Monday – March 14th – Discussion: Post War Race and Culture Readings: See ANGEL Wednesday – March 16th – Lecture Topic: Early Cold War Monday – March 21st – Essay #1 Due 1960s Cold War Wednesday – March 23rd – Discussion: The Cold War Readings: See ANGEL Monday – March 28th – Lecture Topic: Vietnam War Tuesday – March 29th – Last Day to Withdrawal Wednesday – March 30th – Lecture Topic: Civil Rights Movement Monday – April 4th – Review Exam #3 Discussion: Malcolm X Wednesday – April 6th – Lecture Topic: Hippies and the 1970s Monday – April 11th – Lecture Topic: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and the Cold War Wednesday – April 13th – Museum Assignments Due Lecture Topic: 1980s Monday – April 18th – Monday – April 25th – No Class – Happy Passover! Wednesday – April 27th – No School – Passover Travel Day Monday – May 2nd – Discussion: The Fire Next Time Syllabus Wednesday – May 4th – Lecture Topic: 1989 and Beyond Monday – May 9th – Final Exam Review Wednesday – May 25th – 9:30am Final Exam HIST 1202 5 The current exam time is tentative and is set by the Registrar’s Office. Students are strongly encouraged to check online before the final exam period begins to confirm the time of the exam. Students who do not attend the final exam will automatically fail the course regardless of the quality of your coursework. Only a valid medical excuse enables a student to receive an Incomplete. © All lectures and assignments are the official copyright of the Prof. Seth Offenbach. Yeshiva University students of HIST 1202 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.