Suggested Readings: Goldfield, AMERICAN JOURNEY, Vol. II, Fourth Edition

Bellamy, LOOKING BACKWARD

Friedman, THE EARTH IS FLAT

A final grade for this course is derived from five Identification exams (each 20 points); one Lecture/textbook exam date to be determined (each 60 points); two Book reports: the first by Bellamy (25 points based on class discussion) and the second a book by Friedman (30 points based on a bookreport details will follow ); states and capitals (10 points); and 15 points for completing a take-home state and local government assignment for a total of 240 points. No make-up exams are given. However 15 bonus points can be earned with two or fewer absences beginning the second week of the semester.

The grading scale is as follows:

240 - 216 = A 191 - 168 = C

215 - 192 = B 167 - 144 = D

Incomplete Grade: Students seeking an "Incomplete" grade must consult with me no later than the week prior to Finals. Incompletes will only be considered for some unforseeable, emergency and justifiable reasons at the end of the term, and only upon agreement of conditions for completing coursework.

You have the option to choose Pass/No Pass grading for this class. If you select this option, you must submit a Petition for Pass/No Pass to Admissions and Records. Once selected it is nonreversible. Check with your counselor before opting for a Pass/No Pass.

Students are responsible for withdrawal dates. Those failing to drop before the 75% attendance date will receive a letter grade.

I expect regular attendance.

Student Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. construct a historical thesis that could be supported by selected primary sources from the era covered by the course.

2. estimate the correct ear from which a primary source derives

3. interpert the thesis of a secondary source

4. articulate the casual and/or consequential elements of an event from the era covered by the course

Disability Accomodations:

A student with a verified disability may be entitled to appropriate academic accommodations. Please contact one of the following: your instructor, the Disabled Students Program and Services Office.

Harassment: If you should find yourself subjected to offensive content, whether sexual or otherwise you should inform proper authorties at first opportunity. Students and Instructors have the responsibility to conduct themselves professionally at all times.

Black Board Course Management System: If the Instructor is absent, the class will be conducted on Black Board using a discussion or assignment. Instructor will contact students when to access Black Board. Instructions will be given via the classroom or email.

Tentative topics and Textbook Readings-Each lecture topic will be an historical interpretation(s) which hopefully will create strong student responses. The idea is not to create conflicting views on controversial issues in American history, but rather to understand how these interpretations are made. We will also determine if these interpretations hold up to scrutiny. Students will be asked to respond to questions asked after each topic and to provide a personal assessment/analysis for each topic.

Tentative topics:

Topic: Reconstruction
                Presidential Plan
                Congressional Plans
                Steven's Eco. Plan
                Grant's Presidency
Read pages 482-509 and 514-541

Topic: Native Americans on the Great Plains
Read pages 583-609

Topic: The Conquest of the Great West
            Gold and Cattle Fever
            Farmers' Last Frontier
Read/Review Chapter 19

Topic: Becoming a Great Industrial Power
               The Railroad Era
               Industrialization and Consolidation
Read pages 547-577

Topic: The Social and Economic Responses to Industrialization
                The New Immigration and the Urban Nation
                Labor
Read pages 615-639 and Chapter 22

Topic: Politics in the Gilded Age
                Conservative Control
                Politics of Agriculture
Read/Review pages 615-639 and Chapter 22

Topic World War I
 Read pages 709-735

Topic: The Progressive Era
            Progressives in Cities and State
            Mood for Reform
            Roosevelt, Taft, and Wilson
Read/Review Chapter 21 and pages 740-763

Topic: The 1920's and 1930's
Read pages 771-801

Topic: American Intervention - World War II
Read pages 807-838

Topic: Post War America
Read pages 843-869 and 873-904

Topic: America in the 1960's
Read 909-940

Topic: Shaping a New America
Read pages 955-977

Topic: California State and Local Government