Schedule:
Week 8: Mar 17-21 SPRING BREAK
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History 102-0201: American History, 1877 to the Present, spring 2008
Dr. Brad Simpson Dr. Kriste Lindenmeyer
MW 1:00-2:15, ACIV 014
INSTRUCTIONS AND LINKS FOR WEEKS 10-16
Course Description and Objectives:
This course is a thematic examination of United States history from
Reconstruction to the present. The course lectures, readings, and class
discussions will focus on the changing dimensions of freedom in modern
American history, including: 1) the meanings of freedom; 2) the social
conditions that make freedom possible; and 3) the boundaries of freedom
that determine who is entitled to enjoy freedom and who is not. This
course will emphasize critical thinking, writing, and focused discussion
on the topics, events, social movements, and individuals who have shaped
the meaning, conditions and boundaries of freedom in American history.
Some questions we will explore
Required Texts (Available at the student bookstore):
John Hollitz, Thinking Through the Past: A Critical Thinking Approach to American History , Vol. II, Since 1865
Digital History: http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/hyper_titles.cfm
Terms and Identifications to Remember
Learning Opportunities:
In order to achieve the promises of this course you will
- write an in-class midterm exam
- write an in-class final
- participate in weekly online discussions of the week's readings and actively in class discussion
- join a “book club” and write a short review of ONE of the following four books: Thomas Schoonover, Uncle Sam’s War of 1898 and the Origins of Globalization; David Von Drehle, Triangle: The Fire That Changed America; Anna Deavere Smith, Twilight Los Angeles, 1992; or Walter Lafeber, Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism. You will sign up for this the first day of class. Click here to see the book club assignments
We expect all papers and exams to be completed on the assigned due dates. Late papers and exams will not receive full credit unless arrangements are made in advance.
Academic Integrity
By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UMBC's scholarly community in which everyone's academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal. To read the full Student Academic Conduct Policy, consult the UMBC Student Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, or the UMBC Policies section of the UMBC Directory [or for graduate courses, the Graduate School. Students can read about these policies by clicking on this link.
Online discussion and Quizzes: To help achieve the promises of this course you will have the opportunity to participate with a group of your peers in an on-line discussion forum in Blackboard. Just about every week I will post to your blackboard discussion group questions based on course readings drawn from Thinking Through the Past and occasionally from outside sources. You should write approximately 1 page in response to the questions posted and/or the response of your peers in your group. To receive credit you will post your response to the folder for your group before class every Monday. This is a formal writing exercise, so excellent postings will refer to specific documents and essays in response to questions, cite page numbers where appropriate, and reflect correct grammar and writing style. During the last half of the semester, when Dr. Lindenmeyer takes over, you will be taking online quizzes instead of participating in online discussion.
There will also be periodic in-class writing assignments based on the readings, supplemental web materials, and/or materials handed out in class. Sometimes we will prepare written materials for in class discussions. These are listed on the syllabus and will be included in your overall grade. Details on all of this will follow soon.
Attendance and Participation:
Your involvement with the class is extremely important. I will try to
make class time valuable. You should come to every class and plan to
participate. If you do not find class valuable, please let me know.
Please do not simply skip class. If you already know you will miss more
than one or two classes this term, you probably should not take this class this
semester. If you miss too much, I will probably assume that you are no
longer taking the class and I will probably drop you from the class.
To prepare for the class discussions you should read all the required
material for that particular class session and prepare and read over
class notes. It is essential that everyone in the class attend all discussion
days, which will be held each Wednesday. Midterms will be comprehensive and will draw from both lecture and reading materials. You will not be able to achieve the promises of this class if you do not attend lecture and discussion each week and complete all readings.
Evaluation:
The final grade will assess each student's ability--as reflected in
written and oral work--to draw and defend historical conclusions, to
think historically, and to apply that thinking to the issues raised
in the course. This will break down roughly along these lines:
Book Review : 100 points
Midterm: 100 points
Final: 100 points
Online Discussion and quizzes: 100 points
Total points possible: 400
Contact Information
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Phone:
Fax:
Email: @umbc.edu